General
Makerere University and Okayama University, Japan sign Research Cooperation Agreement
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement to cement the collaboration between Makerere University (Mak) in Uganda and Okayama University (OU) in Japan has been signed at a ceremony hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Kampala on Tuesday 8th November 2016. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu signed for Makerere while the President of Okayama University, Dr. Kiyoshi Morati, signed for Okayama University. The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Kazuaki Kameda, the Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, the Chancellor of Makerere University – Prof. Ezra Suruma, Prof. Bernard Bashasha – Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) of Makerere University, staff from Makerere University, Okayama University and the Embassy of Japan.
In the agreement, the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) of Makerere University will be collaborating with the Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR) of Okayama University. The agreement encompasses the following activities: Exchange of students; Exchange of faculty and staff; Collaborative research, instructional and cultural programmes; and Exchange of research information. The need for this MoU was muted after Dr. Arthur Tugume and Prof. Hannington Oryem-Origa (CoNAS) hosted a team of five Professors from Okayama University in October 2015 in the current Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology. Subsequently, Dr. Arthur Tugume visited the Institute of Plant Sciences and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University in March 2016 to help further possibilities of collaboration between the two institutions. Mr. Cyprian Osinde, a staff of Makerere University is already undertaking research work for his PhD studies at the IPSR.
In his welcome remarks, H.E. Kazuaki Kameda – Ambassador of Japan to Uganda expressed his pleasure to host the signing ceremony between Makerere and Okayama universities. He noted that the MoU furthers cooperation between Japan and Uganda as countries that have enjoyed cordial bi-lateral relations for many years. H.E Kazuaki promised support to the two universities during their cooperation and expressed his hope that the MoU would facilitate and enhance academic staff and student exchange as well as research.
Prof. Ezra Suruma, the Chancellor thanked H.E. Kazuaki for accepting to host the signing ceremony. Prof. Suruma expressed gratitude by the government and people of Uganda for the support from the Government of Japan especially through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a long time. He said that, his hope is that Okayama and Makerere relations grow stronger and fruitful for a very long time. He reiterated that Makerere University management is committed to offering support to the cooperation between the two institutions.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu in his remarks said, ‘Makerere University and Okayama University both operate in a highly competitive global environment. In this regard, we as the Management of Makerere University openly embrace internationalization as a cross-cutting factor and are always on the lookout for mutually beneficial collaborations that can further strengthen our competitiveness’. He also noted that while the MoU signed is targeting plant sciences and agriculture, it is his hope that in the cooperation under this framework, more mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen our collaboration will be added. He also thanked H.E. Kazuaki for hosting the signing ceremony and expressed appreciation of Makerere University and Uganda at large for the support from Japan to many sectors in the bi-lateral relations between the two nations. Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu also thanked Dr. Arthur Tugume from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University and Prof. Wataru Sakamoto from Okayama University for taking the lead to ensure the MoU is signed.
The President of Okayama University, Dr. Kiyoshi Morita expressed his gratitude to be here when the cooperation between Makerere and Okayama universities is marked by the signing of an agreement. He further said that he is honored to be signing for Okayama and is hopeful that the two institutions will mutually benefit from the agreement signed. Okayama is a recognized top university in Japan and globally, engagement of universities from around the world for research enhancement is taken seriously by the university, he noted. He also expressed his hope that Okayama and Makerere universities will continue to work together to strengthen the cooperation.
Dr. Tugume Arthur, the coordinator of the cooperation in CoNAS gave background remarks of the MoU that was signed. He explained that initial talks that led to this agreement were initiated in 2013 by Prof. Hannington Oryem-Origa of Makerere and Prof. Wataru Sakamoto of Okayama. He said, ‘today’s ceremony is a sign of the mutual trust and friendship that has developed relatively rapidly between our two institutions over a period of approximately three years and is a good indicator of our willingness to strengthen it even further’. He further noted that, ‘as scientists they operate in a highly competitive world. Thus, if we are to make significant impact in our societies using scientific tools, we believe in the power of synergy. It is under this background that we, our Institutions, Makerere University and Okayama University felt that having a framework of cooperation is the only way to go if our societies are to harness the benefits of the expertise scientific knowledge at our institutions’. Dr. Tugume also expressed his appreciation of the management at Makerere and Okayama universities to ensure the signing of the MoU and it is his hope that this is only the beginning and more will be achieved.
Article by: Zaam Ssali- Communication Officer, College of Natural Sciences
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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