General
Swedish Ambassador emphasizes role of higher education towards reducing poverty
The Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Per Lindgarde has acknowledged the key role played by higher education in building human capacity and reducing poverty in the country. The Ambassador emphasized the need to invest in higher education as a way accelerating technological diffusion, which would decrease knowledge gaps and help reduce poverty.
Addressing participants during the Annual Planning Meeting for the Makerere University-Sweden Bilateral Research Programme on 24th April 2017 in the Makerere University Main Hall, the Ambassador revealed that the success of higher education in Uganda depends on how the system is articulated within the broader social, economic and cultural framework of the country. He advocated for a sustained effort towards an integrated and differentiated higher education system.
“I strongly believe that it is time for Uganda to re-assess its higher education policies and re-equip the sector with the policies and resources required to make it a dynamic engine that can help power the Ugandan economy,” he said.
Organized by Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), the Annual Planning Meeting for Makerere-Sweden Bilateral Research Programme was attended by Principal Investigators, Supervisors, and Sida-sponsored students at MSc/MA, PhD and Postdoctoral research training from the five Ugandan partner universities of Makerere University, Kyambogo, Busitema, Gulu and Mbarara University of Science and Technology ; together with Swedish representatives from the Universities of Gothenburg; Linköping; Stockholm; Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Mälardalen University; Chalmers University of Technology; Lund University; Borås University; Karolinska Institute (KI); Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Uppsala University.
According to the 1st Secretary and Senior Research Advisor, Swedish Embassy, Kampala Dr. Gity Behravan, the five days Annual Planning Meeting (24th- 28th April 2017) under the theme, Making Research Work for Regional Development, would entail sharing research results from the five public universities involved in this program. The meeting would focus on three areas; research uptake, quality assurance and research management.
“The Swedish Government is proud of the results that have come out of this research collaboration so far. Results that also Sweden stands stronger from, both in terms of science discoveries and institutional exchange,” she stated.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu appreciated the significance of the meeting saying that it symbolises the nature and character of the relationship between Makerere University, the Royal Government and People of Sweden.
He thanked the Royal Government of Sweden for its continuing support that has enabled the institution and the nation at large to continue producing high performing graduates who are innovative and responsive to the development challenges at both national and regional levels.
“Makerere University and Uganda in general have enjoyed and continue to benefit from the generosity of the Royal Government of Sweden in the areas of human resources capacity building, research, library services/information technology and infrastructural development,” said the Vice Chancellor.
“Over 250, Makerere University academic staff members have completed their PhD studies, more than 100 have completed master degrees and 20 have completed post-doctoral fellowships due the Swedish cooperation with Uganda,” he added.
Makerere University– Sweden Bilateral Research Program (2015-2020) is a renewed contract research program between the Government of Uganda and Government of Sweden. In the current cooperation agreement, the Swedish government appropriated a fund of 275 million SEC (USD 32 million) to support 17 research teams from the Ugandan public universities to build their human resource and improve the environment for research and training.
According to the Director, Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Program has embarked on strengthening partnerships and optimizing synergies with Sida supported initiatives in the region, while focusing on strengthening Public Universities to generate knowledge and promote research uptake for national and regional development.
“Our target is to see to it that 147 Master degree students, 125 PhD students and 65 post doctorate researchers complete their research and reports submitted by 2020. We also want to develop the Quality assurance mechanisms in the public university system, engender all Curricula and research, review and harmonize PhD programs, develop New PhD curricula and training as well as supervising 500 PhD Students and staff in scholarly writing,” he said.
Being mindful about the gender disaggregation, the program has focused on the affirmative action of gender mainstreaming with an improvement on the scholarship enrolment process for female students. It has increased visibility, acceptability and upward movement of women into leadership positions.
“Out of the 248 students that are awarded scholarships, 43 are female. We have also streamlined gender in the academic curriculum of the university. We want to create a Commitment to gender equity by the University,” he said.
In a presentation on Opportunities for Capacity Building and National Development, Dr. Rob Skilton from the International Centre of Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) – Nairobi, Kenya, introduced the participants to a new and innovative research project of rearing insects for both food and feed. According to Skilton rearing insects can be a solution to the increasing challenge of food shortage in Africa.
“Insects reproduce quickly, and are valuable sources of protein, minerals and vitamins that are essential for human development. With enormous demand of meat in the world, insect can be a compliment since are eaten by many people in the world, given their nutritious value,” said 
The first day of the Annual Planning Meeting climaxed with the Science Day organized by the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS). The Science Day provided a platform for researchers and scientists to discuss and share knowledge on the importance of technology in research science. The discussion was accompanied by a scientific exhibition of the research work by researchers and students from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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