General
Mak Needs UGX6bn Annually for Research on NCDs
The College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University is in need of UGX6bn annually to facilitate research on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The research is intended to provide evidence for prevention, early screening, treatment and health education interventions to address the NCD epidemic.
NCDs are the leading cause of the deaths worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that by 2025, NCDs will account for 80% of the global burden of diseases causing 8 out 10 deaths in developing countries.
"Extensive research will help us understand what we are dealing with and will be the basis for effective strategy on stopping this epidemic of NCDs," the Principal CHS, Dr. Charles Ibingira said during the 1st International NCD Symposium. The conference under the theme ‘Building Momentum to Address the Growing Epidemic of NCDs in Africa' is being held from 12th to 15th February 2018. Sub-themes of the conference include; Cardiovascular Disease, Renal Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Cancer, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Mental Health, Trauma and its Complications, Implementation Research in NCDs and Health Systems and Policies on NCDs.
Last year a research fund was launched and so far UGX652million has been raised. Ibingira said "The investment in research on NCDs will in the end bear fruit not only in lowering mortality rates in the country, but also to boost local drug industry through drug development using local herbs that have been tested and proved to be effective in the treatment of NCDs."
King Augustus Mulenga the Chairman, Board of Trustees, St Augustine International University said that his university will contribute sh100m towards the research fund.
In 2014 the Ministry of Health carried out the National NCD risk factor survey and found out that 1 in 4 adults had high blood pressure, 1.4% had diabetes, 14.5% were overweight, 4.6% obese, 12% people were using tobacco and 28.5% were taking alcohol. The survey also revealed that about 76.1% of people with high blood pressure were not aware of their condition, or taking any form of medication.
Dr. Ibingira appealed to Government to pass a law to ensure that every school has a playground and that sports should be mandatory to promote physical fitness for learners and staff. "Most schools nowadays have relegated co-curricular activities and focus on teaching for purposes of passing exams," he noted.
The Minister of Health Dr Ruth Aceng said NCDs said government has decentralised NCDs to health centre III level so that Ugandans can easily access treatment. She added that at the moment health personnel are undergoing refresher training course in diagnosis and management of NCDs. In Uganda, NCDs including injuries account for 40 % of all deaths annually.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended CHS for establishing a research fund and appealed to Government and development partners to contribute towards this fund.
Photography by Landmark Media Consultancy
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
-
General1 week agoCall for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2025/2026
-
Humanities & Social Sciences1 week agoOver 2,000 Attend Makerere’s Dialogue on Traditional Spirituality, Herbal Medicine, Witchcraft and Questions of Truth
-
General5 days agoAccommodation during the Recess Term: 2024/2025
-
General2 weeks agoPhase 1 of e-Learning initiative at Makerere University registers remarkable achievements
-
General2 weeks agoARIPO, URSB Visit Mak, Discuss IP & Patenting