General
Fulbright celebrates 70 years of partnership and achievements
The Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Ezra Suruma has commended the tremendous efforts of the U.S government in developing the academic and social-economic sector of Uganda through the Fulbright scholarship program. This was during the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Fulbright program organized by the U.S Mission in Uganda together with the Uganda-US Exchange Alumni Association and hosted by Makerere University under a theme; 70 years of partnership and achievements.
Speaking to the overjoyed congregation on 21st October 2016, Prof. Suruma congratulated the “Fulbrighters” upon a successful 70th Anniversary full of partnerships and achievements. He acknowledged the program’s tireless efforts in promotion of international goodwill through cultural exchange, mutual understanding and academic development among countries. Prof. Suruma also highlighted the program’s impact in Uganda where it has nurtured exceptional talented men and women who have socially, economically, politically and culturally impacted the society.
“So many prominent and outstanding Ugandans have passed through Fulbright program; the late Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi who contributed immensely in the formulation of Uganda’s curriculum; Prof. Lutalo Bbosa has influenced and continue to influence higher education in Uganda; Dr. Martin Aliker is a renowned Ugandan dental Surgeon, Business man and a successful Entrepreneur; Prof. Joy Kwesiga is the Vice Chancellor of Kabale University and Hon. Olara Otunu has served Uganda at home and abroad and is a well renown political leader here in Uganda,” he said.
Citing the need for Ugandan universities to partner in research and scholarships, Prof. Suruma said that Fulbright remains a great partner and ally in Uganda’s push for academic advancement and excellence.
Started in 1946 by America’s distinguished Senator James William Fulbright, the Fulbright program was initiated with a purpose of transforming the world by bridging the barriers especially in academia across the global north and south. The programme is sponsored by the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational Cultural Affairs and its primary source of funding is the annual appropriation by the U.S. Congress to the Department of States.
According to the U.S Ambassador to Uganda Her Excellency Deborah R. Malac, more than 370,000 “Fullbrighters” have participated in the program since its inception. Her Excellency Deborah R. Malac said that the program operates in over 160 countries worldwide. Today, approximately 8000 grants are awarded annually. Out of these awards, 399 have been awarded to Ugandans.
“The program has witnessed several success stories with 33 current or former Heads of states or government, 54 Nobel Laureates, 82 Pulitzers prize winners, 29 MacArthur Foundation Fellows, 16 Presidential Medal Freedom recipients, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and nonprofit sectors,” she acknowledged.
In Uganda, the Fulbright program has contributed tremendously to the development of the education system. Through its various scholarship opportunities, it has strengthened Ugandan’s university lecturers’ competence by sponsoring their higher degree of training, provided research grants to scholars, encouraged academic exchange programs, provided professional enrichment studies, offered fully funded fellowships, promotes linkages between U.S. scholars, professionals and their counterparts at host institutions overseas.
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu mentioned to the congregation that Makerere University for years has been a key beneficiary of various opportunities provided by the Fulbright program. According to Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu the program has been very supportive to the realization of the University’s strategic goals.
“We have benefited in the areas of staff development, joint research, scholarships for students as well as staff and students exchange. Indeed Fulbright programmes have contributed to the fulfillment of our core functions of teaching and learning, research and innovation as well as knowledge transfer partnerships and networking,” he said.
“Makerere University is therefore appreciative of this continued support. This is an achievement to be proud of because in academia, it is important to foster research collaborations, which translate into that Senator James William Fulbright referred to as, in quotes, “…. A little more knowledge, a little more reason and a little more compassion into world affairs.” Indeed education without knowledge, reason, and compassion is meaningless,” he added.
Giving a living testimony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor Ernest Okello Ogwang assured the delegates that Fulbright program is a distinct program among others, committed not only to the generation of knowledge that has facilitated the development of many nations, but it has also distinguished itself by its special attention to individuals.
“Fulbright sponsored my PhD at Indiana University. I would like to say, this is a family where different people from all walks of life are connected. It is a network of outstanding professionals with exceptional abilities mentored and sponsored to attain skills that are later passed on to their communities. I really wish that more and more scholars access the opportunities the program offers through its initiatives,” he said.
Representing the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal of College of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Edward Kirumira urged the young scholars to apply for related opportunities with various Fulbright programmes. “The world we exist in today is about building global partnerships and establishing linkages in order to ensure continuing progress of humanity. I therefore encourage you to be part of the Fulbright network by applying for the available opportunities,” he said.
The function climaxed with a tour at the art exhibition organized by Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
Article by: Makerere University Public Relations Office
General
Makerere Explores Strategic Industry Partnership with Psalms Food Industries to Strengthen Manufacturing Innovation
On 2nd March, 2026, representatives from the Advancement Office, the College of Business and Management Sciences and the University Innovation Pod visited Psalms Food Industries to discuss a prospective partnership aimed at strengthening university–industry collaboration in manufacturing, research, innovation, and skills development.
Psalms Food Industries, a homegrown snacks innovation and manufacturing company, operates three major brands, namely, Sumz, Afrikan Harvest and Krunchables, which have grown to a range of 37 products and target the introduction of five new products annually. The company distributes products across Kenya, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and, recently, Tanzania. As a labour of love, the idea of producing snacks was born during the honeymoon of Mr and Mrs Ngabirano, who now run Psalms Food Industries side by side.
Dr. Denis Ngabirano, CEO and Co-Founder of Psalms Food Industries, during the meeting, described the company as “a snacks innovation house, with all our products developed in-house.” He noted.
He emphasised the company’s commitment to quality assurance and consumer-centred research, noting that Psalms conducts surveys and gathers customer feedback to inform product development, supported by an internal microbiology and chemistry laboratory.
Dr. Denis Ngabirano noted that the company had only recently introduced two brands, “Afrikan Harvest for it’s health conscious clientele and Kruchables for it’s volume centric clientele.
“Afrikan Harvest has no additives, it is a brand for health-focused consumers,” he explained, while highlighting the differentiated positioning of their product lines. “Sumz is our premium brand, and Krunchables focuses on volume.”
Student-Centered Experiential Learning
A key focus of the meeting was structured experiential learning for students across disciplines. Potential areas of collaboration include internships, graduate trainee pathways, and hands-on exposure within Psalms’ incubation and production facilities.
The proposed engagement spans multiple fields, including environmental sciences, engineering, procurement and logistics, finance and accounting, quality control, production and manufacturing, human resource management, marketing, and international business.
The partnership could provide students with direct exposure to real-time production systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality assurance frameworks, strengthening the practical relevance of their academic training.
Among the innovative ideas discussed was a potential competition involving students from the Fine Art and Industrial Design disciplines to redesign packaging for selected Sumz products. The proposal would allow top designs to be commercially adopted, creating a direct bridge between creativity, intellectual property development, and industrial application.
Research, Innovation and Commercialisation
Both institutions expressed interest in joint applied research initiatives, particularly in process optimisation, data analytics for manufacturing efficiency, product improvement, and sustainable production systems.
Opportunities were also discussed around collaborative research in machine design, crop development for snack processing, and factory energy solutions, areas that not only benefit Psalms but have broader implications for Uganda’s manufacturing sector.
The engagement further highlighted potential linkages with the University’s innovation and commercialisation structures, including the University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD), to support co-creation and scaling of student-led innovations.
Mr Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Advancement Officer at Makerere University, proposed strengthening the engagement through structured programming, including a planned collaboration between the University’s innovation Hub and the upcoming incubation Hub at Psalms Food Industries, particularly to support the commercialisation of research outcomes for both students and staff.
Curriculum Co-Creation and Staff Exchange
Beyond student placements, discussions also focused on co-developing academic content that responds more directly to industry needs, particularly within the manufacturing value chain.
Proposals included guest lectures by industry practitioners, staff exchange programmes to expose academic staff to factory operations, and tailored short courses for Psalms staff based on identified skills gaps.
Dr. Jude Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management at COBAMS, emphasised the importance of embedding the partnership within academic programming. He proposed “internships for students in HR, marketing, international business, accounting and finance,” as well as staff exchanges to give University staff hands-on exposure to manufacturing operations.
He further suggested specialised courses tailored to the factory’s needs and attachment of research students interested in manufacturing. Such collaboration would contribute to curriculum responsiveness and ensure that graduates are equipped with market-relevant competencies.
Strengthening University–Industry Linkages
The engagement reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to strengthening partnerships that bridge knowledge generation and real-sector application.
Both institutions expressed a shared vision of building a structured, mutually beneficial collaboration that integrates research, innovation, skills development, and enterprise growth, positioning the University as a key knowledge partner in Uganda’s manufacturing transformation.
Discussions remain ongoing as both parties refine priority areas for formalisation.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office.
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