General
Mak holds Validation Meeting to enrich the Proposed Strategic Planning Framework
On 13th June 2018, a number of internal stakeholders comprising the Vice Chancellor and his Management Team, College Principals, representatives of academic and administrative units convened in the Senate Building Conference Hall to validate the proposed Makerere University Strategic Planning Framework that will inform the Makerere University Strategic Plan for the next ten years (2019/20-2029/30).
The Strategic Planning Framework focused on positioning Makerere University as the Regional Knowledge Hub will be used as a reference in the formulation of colleges /unit strategic plans that will inform the ten years Makerere University Strategic plan (2019/20-2029/30).
During the Validation Meeting, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed commitment to the process of turning Makerere University into a research led University when he said, “We have the potential to be the research led University in Africa. Makerere University’s legacy in research and publications is known worldwide. We have made research in various critical areas and our research has made a strong impact to the community. I believe we have the potential for the new shift and we are shifting for better.”
The Chairperson of the Strategic Plan Drafting Committee, Dr. Isaac Okullo, who is also the Deputy Principal, College of Health Sciences noted that for each thematic area, a range of measures of success have been specified. These will provide the benchmark to assess baseline and progress of implementation over the plan period.
“The implementation of the ten year Strategic Plan will be phased into three year operational plans and annual work plans which will be assessed for realisation of the set targets. The annual work plan/ activities will guide the budgeting against which university performance will be assessed,” he stated.
He urged Colleges and Units to embark on the process of drafting the Colleges/Units Strategic Plans to enable the Strategic Plan Drafting Committee finalise its work on time. “We request that you identify a Planning Chairperson and constitute a Planning Committee of not less than five members to drive the planning process,” he said.
According to the Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee who is also the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Prof. William Bazeyo, the new Strategic Plan is expected to align the University goals with the Sustainable Development Goals; the Agenda 2063 by the African Union; and the institution of National Development Plan II and Vision 2040.
“At its meeting on 29th November 2017, Makerere University Council identified inhibiting factors that need to be addressed as the university moves into the next planning cycle. The University Council also stressed the need to evaluate the placement of Makerere University in the national Development Agenda,” he said.
In February 2018, Makerere University embarked on the process that will culminate in the formulation of the next ten year Strategic Plan (2020/21-2029/30). The formulation of the new Mak Strategic Plan (2020/21-2029/30) will take a year-long participatory approach incorporating views of different stakeholders including staff, alumni, students, professional bodies, civil society, as well as the private and public sectors. The current 10 year Mak Strategic Plan is expected to come to an end in 2019.
The development of the Strategic Framework marks the beginning of the new direction of Makerere University Spanning over the next decade. It is envisaged, and as underlined by the Strategic Planning Retreat held in February 2018 at Entebbe, that the new strategic plan 2020/21-229/30 will address three key investment areas namely the institution, the human capital and the development impact. These will fit with in the structure of the core and support functions of the university.
The Strategic Planning Framework outlines the identity, vision, mission and core functions of Makerere University, puts forward the key procedures and parameters that will guide the Colleges/Units in the formulation of their plans and articulates the key performance indicators in terms of measures of success and benchmarking international and regional institutions in the plan formulation process.
While the outgoing strategic plan was more focused on processes, it is proposed that the new plan should target quality outputs and outcomes. As such the basis of the strategic plan is:
- Anchoring the University as a research led institution that contributes to the development of the national intellectual outputs and resources but also meets the requisite criteria of a regional hub;
- A reviewed research agenda that provides opportunities for exploitation of the talent among students and staff to engage with relevant stakeholders (industry, communities, private and public entities) as part of their research interests, with a focus on impacting and identifying future research requirements;
- Enhanced engagement with industry and business, and other end-users of research and promote knowledge transfer and commercialisation nationally, regionally and internationally;
- Increased value and volume of innovations spawned from university research and other functions;
- A problem/community-based learning approach that prepares a versatile, professionally grounded; ethical leader and change agent who is committed to lifelong learning;
- An equitable, inclusive and gender mainstreamed system in both academic and support function areas;
- A human resource system that will engender an engaged, motivated and highly productive workforce, Institutional Consolidation including transformation from the current partially implemented Collegiate system from a highly centralised to a largely decentralised Financial Management and less bureaucratic administrative system well entrenched in actual operational needs of the colleges; and
- A robust M&E system that will promote institutional learning and improvement in the service provision and outputs of the university.
The Director of Planning and Development Department Dr. Florence Nakayiwa said that new Strategic Plan envisions an efficient and effective university that is highly reputable with a recognised brand. It also looks at an engaged, motivated and highly productive workforce.
“The Strategic Plan also foresees a Makerere University graduate that is versatile, professionally grounded, has ethical values and committed to lifelong learning. It also positions the graduate as a leader and change agent, who has had a positive experience at Makerere University,” she said.
According to Dr. Nakayiwa, teaching and learning is the main mechanism through which the University contributes to the National Human capital Development needs. The University offers an array of disciplines ranging from humanities, performing and liberal arts to areas of science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). She noted that since the Makerere University Graduates at Bachelors, Masters, and PhD level should be distinct and equipped with requisite skills, the new plan will be geared towards creating the appropriate environment and support to the students to meet their academic and professional aspirations.
“The implication will be the institution of a robust, relevant and competence based 21st Century curriculum coupled with career guidance, counselling and mentorship. It will be a blended learning, integrated with field work and community services. Continuous dialogues and engagement with the students will define the teaching and learning interface at all times,” she explained.
“The curriculum will be a learner centred; promote participation, experimentation and collaborative learning. A problem/community-bases learning approach that prepares the learners to take on societal challenges will be adopted. The role of the academic staff is envisaged to change from lecturing to designing of learning experiences and environments in which students learn and work together with the lecturer thus becoming more of a coach. This will promote the critical intellectual dispositions and build capacity for independent thinking and analysis of unchartered and complex issues,” she added.
In a presentation, Mrs Patience Mushengyezi a Member of the Strategic Plan Drafting Committee said that the research agenda over the next 10 years period shall be determined by taking into account the research leadership role of Makerere University in undertaking both basic and applied research. The research thrust will be built on the established Centres of Excellence such as the African Centres of Excellence, the East African Centre of Renewable Energy Efficiency and the Waste Management Centre of Excellence.
“It is envisaged that the University will shift from exclusively focusing on creating an enabling environment to a position of defining, creating, nurturing and investing in the building blocks for a research university in Uganda. There will be a distinct shift to increased graduate enrolment and knowledge production. There will be efforts to engage government to fund graduate programmes through the loan scheme and other direct funding mechanisms,” she stated.
On Knowledge transfer partnership, Mrs Mushengyezi said that the new strategic plan will focus on generating knowledge and capacity through incubation centres, technology parks, intellectual Property and commercialisation of ideas.
- Discussing the Institution, Dr. Justine Namaalwa also a member of the Strategic Plan Drafting Committee said that the new strategic plan is ready to;
- Develop efficient, effective and highly reputable institutions recognised as a good brand
- Develop a culture that will engender an engaged, motivated and highly productive workforce
- Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Library Services
- Leverage the ICT as a platform for academic excellence and innovations at Makerere University
- Reposition the gender Mainstreaming program to excel in providing an equitable and gender responsive organisational environment
- Generate maximum benefit from university land holdings and existing infrastructure facilities
- Develop a devolved efficient financial management system
- Widen the university financial resource base
- Leverage resources and experience from the international experience of staff and students in teaching, learning, and research and service provision.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged newly admitted postgraduate diploma and master’s students to take ownership of their academic journey, produce knowledge that addresses Africa’s challenges and use their training to create opportunities for society.
The call was made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the orientation of postgraduate diploma and master’s students held at the Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University. The orientation was conducted under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Graduate Training to Transform Africa’s Research Trajectory.”
Addressing the students, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said admission to postgraduate education marked an important transition from undergraduate study and should come with greater independence, critical thinking and responsibility.
“Postgraduate study is not just the accumulation of knowledge. You are now active researchers, critical thinkers and creators of your own knowledge,” Prof. Ssali said.
She said postgraduate training should enable students to deepen their expertise, strengthen their analytical abilities and develop solutions to real-world problems.
“Through your projects, dissertations, innovations and professional practice, you have the opportunity to contribute knowledge that can influence policies, improve services and transform lives. Your research matters, and your contribution matters,” she said.
Prof. Ssali urged students to see their studies beyond the pursuit of a degree, encouraging them to ask themselves why they had chosen postgraduate education and what contribution they intended to make to their communities and professions.
“See your coursework as an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that will help you propose new solutions to real-world challenges,” she said.
She also encouraged students to embrace collaboration with communities and non-academic partners, saying many of them were already coming to the University with professional and community experiences that could enrich their research.
“Don’t think that your scholarship is only for those who look academic. Embrace community, embrace networks,” she said.
Prof. Ssali further cautioned the students against wasting time, noting that many postgraduate students have employment, family and other responsibilities alongside their studies.
“Make the most of your time and don’t waste it,” she said, urging students to use available study time productively even when there are changes in their lecture schedules.
She also emphasised the need for students to take responsibility for their progress instead of waiting for lecturers or supervisors to push them.
“Postgraduate education requires independence, independent inquiry, independent research, independent interrogation and also active participation,” Prof. Ssali said.
Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training, told the students that their admission was a significant achievement given the large number of applicants seeking postgraduate opportunities at Makerere.
“We received over 12,000 applications to our postgraduate programmes, but we are only able to take just a small percentage of that. That means you are just the few people who are able to do this,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He urged the new students to appreciate the opportunity and understand that graduate education carries responsibilities beyond attending lectures and completing examinations.
According to Prof. Kikooma, Uganda and Africa require highly trained human capital capable of driving national and continental development priorities.
“The country needs more highly trained people if it is going to achieve its aspirations and priorities for national development,” he said.
He challenged the students to consider what Uganda and Africa would look like in the coming decades and to question whether the continent would continue relying on ideas, innovations and creations generated elsewhere.
“Will it still be a country that always depends on ideas, innovations and creations that come from outside?” he asked, before urging the students to become part of the generation that develops home-grown solutions.
Prof. Kikooma said much of what Uganda would need in the future would depend on what the country invests in today, particularly in human capital and research.
He also explained that the Directorate of Graduate Training works with colleges, schools, departments and central University units to strengthen the quality of graduate education.
“We want to make sure that what you are taking away from here is of a certain quality,” he said, adding that the University has established policies, standards and systems intended to create an environment in which postgraduate students can succeed.
However, Prof. Kikooma stressed that the University cannot take responsibility for the entire academic journey on behalf of students.
“We will not replace your programme. We will not replace your lecturers. We will not replace your supervisors. Each of those has a different role to play along your journey,” he said.
He encouraged students to be proactive by understanding their programmes, colleges and the various support services available to them.
“Successful graduates tend to be proactive rather than reactive. So don’t wait until you have a problem, then you start running from it,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He further urged the students to work within the stipulated programme period, noting that most master’s programmes take about two years while postgraduate diploma programmes generally take one year.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, urged the newly admitted students to use their graduate training to produce knowledge capable of addressing challenges facing their communities, Uganda and Africa.
He challenged them to move beyond consuming knowledge generated elsewhere and instead become producers of knowledge and solutions.
Prof. Wamala emphasised the importance of connecting research to society, innovation and professional practice, encouraging students to identify problems within their workplaces and communities that could become areas for meaningful research.
He said Africa needed researchers capable of generating evidence, innovations and practical solutions to support development rather than simply importing solutions from other parts of the world.
The Director encouraged the students to build collaborative networks during their studies and to regard the University as an ecosystem in which researchers, professionals, communities and other partners can work together.
Dr. Kizito Ongaya, Deputy University Librarian, introduced the students to Makerere’s extensive library and information resources, urging them to make the library a central part of their postgraduate studies.
He said the University Library operates a hybrid system combining physical collections with electronic resources.
“We have over 200,000 types of books in our library, with 45 e-journal databases,” Dr. Ongaya said.
He encouraged students to make use of the University’s electronic databases, noting that substantial resources are invested in providing access to scholarly journals.
“If you don’t use e-journals, you are unacceptable,” he told the students, emphasising that postgraduate research requires extensive engagement with scholarly literature.
Dr. Ongaya also highlighted the University’s archival collections, specialised libraries and information centres located across its colleges.
He said students would be guided on how to access both physical and electronic resources and encouraged them to explore specialised collections that could support their individual research areas.
Dr. Mike Barongo, Team Leader ICT, Department of the Academic Registrar, told the new students that Makerere had increasingly digitised its academic and administrative processes and urged them to complete their online registration as an immediate priority.
He said students could access their provisional admission letters through the online application system and use the student number provided to activate their student portals.
“The student portal is very, very critical,” Dr. Barongo said.
He explained that students must enrol and register in order to access key University services, including institutional email and Wi-Fi.
“Once you enroll, you create an institutional email address. That institutional email address is the gateway for you to access so many things, like Wi-Fi,” he said.
Dr. Barongo also informed students that ICT support centres were available to assist those experiencing challenges with enrolment, registration or access to digital services.
He urged students to ensure they enrol and register every semester so that the University systems can accurately capture their academic and financial information.
Others senior members in attendance include the Deputy University Bursar Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba and Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged its newly admitted PhD students to go beyond pursuing academic qualifications and become independent scholars capable of generating knowledge, solving societal problems and contributing to Africa’s transformation.
The call was made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, during the orientation of the 2026/2027 PhD cohort at Makerere University’s Main Hall in the Main Building on 10th August 2026.
Prof. Ssali told the new scholars that a PhD marks a fundamental shift from previous levels of education, requiring students to take greater responsibility for their academic progress rather than depending entirely on lecturers and supervisors.
“You will have to push yourself and also push your supervisor to move with you,” Prof. Ssali said, urging the students to take ownership of their doctoral journey.
She acknowledged that many PhD students have to balance their studies with employment, family responsibilities and community leadership, making doctoral training demanding. However, she urged them to remain focused on completing their programmes within the prescribed three, four or five years.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere expects its doctoral training to produce scholars who can create knowledge, challenge existing ideas and develop solutions to societal problems.
She encouraged the students to embrace ambiguity and become comfortable questioning what they already know, noting that doctoral education requires scholars to identify important questions, investigate them and generate answers that advance knowledge.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also urged the students to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and scholarly networks rather than confining their research to their individual disciplines.
She said the success of doctoral education should not be measured merely by the number of dissertations completed or papers published, but by the extent to which research contributes to society.
With Africa facing complex challenges, including climate change, disease, population growth and development pressures, Prof. Ssali said PhD scholars have a responsibility to generate evidence that can influence policy, strengthen institutions and advance innovation.
She challenged each scholar to continually ask what problem their research addresses, what solution it advances and whether that solution can create sustainable value.
The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, said the new cohort was joining Makerere at a time when the University is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening graduate education and improving completion rates.
Prof. Kikooma revealed that Makerere received close to 12,000 applications across its master’s, postgraduate and PhD programmes but admitted about 6,000 students.
He said graduate education has been placed at the centre of the University’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and prepare scholars to contribute to knowledge production and innovation.
Under the reforms, PhD students will undertake compulsory cross-cutting courses designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for doctoral research. They will also be required to undertake teaching in either their second or third year under the guidance of their supervisors.
In addition to completing their theses, students will be required to produce at least two publications before graduation, a requirement intended to prepare them to become the next generation of researchers, innovators, inventors and creators.
Makerere has also introduced a digital system to monitor the progress of every PhD student each semester. The system is intended to enable students, supervisors and university officials to identify challenges early and intervene in real time.
Prof. Kikooma urged the scholars to write regularly, think critically, maintain open and constructive relationships with their supervisors and protect their academic integrity and professional reputation.
He also encouraged them to build scholarly networks and remain resilient, noting that rejected papers, disappointing data and unexpected challenges are normal aspects of doctoral training.
The Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, challenged the scholars to ensure that the knowledge they produce is trustworthy, responsible and ethically sound.
Prof. Wamala emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity, rights, safety and autonomy of research participants, particularly where studies involve individuals, communities and personal information.
He highlighted informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice and accountability as critical principles of ethical research and urged students to maintain transparency throughout the research process, from developing research questions and collecting data to analyzing and reporting findings.
Prof. Wamala also cautioned the students on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
He said although AI can assist researchers with activities such as language improvement, it does not remove the researcher’s responsibility for the final product.
Researchers, he said, must verify AI-generated information and remain accountable for inaccurate statements, misleading interpretations and incorrect references.
He further urged students involved in international and other research collaborations to establish clear agreements on roles, authorship, data ownership, access and intellectual property before commencing their research.
The Deputy University Librarian, Dr. Kizito Ongaya, meanwhile, urged the new scholars to make full use of Makerere’s library and information resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Dr. Ongaya said the University operates a hybrid library system combining physical and electronic resources, with more than 200,000 books, 45 e-journal databases and over 16,000 archival materials available to researchers.
He encouraged the students to participate in library training to learn how to access and effectively use electronic resources and to explore specialized libraries and information centers across the University’s colleges.
These include resources covering natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health sciences, education and humanities, as well as museums, botanical gardens, specialized collections and other research facilities.
The newly admitted doctoral students were also addressed by Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Deputy University Bursar and members of Makerere University Convocation.
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