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Mak-UC Berkeley-Pathfinder Set To Promote PHE Research & Policy in Uganda
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Wednesday, 27th June 2018 held discussions with the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley)’s Dr. Robin Marsh and Pathfinder International Uganda’s Ms. Nakajubi Jackline on the possibility of integrating the Population, Health and Environment (PHE) approach in Makerere University’s curricular, research and student projects. Dr. Marsh is a Senior Researcher/Socio-Economist with the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues (ISSI), UC Berkeley while Ms. Nakajubi is Pathfinder’s Health of People and Environment in the Lake Victoria Basin (HoPE LVB) Project Coordinator.
Giving a preamble to the discussion, The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr. Eria Hisali noted that the work currently being done by UC Berkely and Pathfinder under the PHE HoPE-LVB project in Mayuge and Wakiso Districts is important to Uganda and as such would greatly benefit students and the community when integrated into the Makerere curriculum.
“We have deliberated on to the possibility integrating PHE into our graduate programmes in a phased approach. PHE is a very multidisciplinary as it touches on Public Health, Gender Studies, Environment, Statistics, Environmental Health, One Health among others” said Dr. Hisali.
He therefore thanked Dr. Marsh and Ms. Nakajubi for reaching out to Makerere University and hoped that the PHE integration would receive the full support of Senate and Management.
Speaking as a socio-economist with over 25 years of experience with a keen interest in how agriculture interacts with the environment, gender equality and reproductive health, Dr. Marsh thanked the Vice Chancellor and staff present for sparing time to discuss the proposed intiative.
“I have taught in the field of Population, Environment and Development at UC Berkeley's College of Natural Resources for over fourteen years. I also coordinate our PHE work in East Africa, supported by Pathfinder International under which we run student practicums for graduate students” Dr. Marsh shared.
She added that the student practicums offer UC Berkeley students the opportunity to work with peers from Makerere University and the University of Dar-es-Saaam, “which enhances two-way learning as the students support each other on ongoing research projects.”
To facilitate PHE integration into the curriculum, Dr. Marsh shared that a two-day Interdisciplinary Faculty Workshop is being proposed for early November; so as to coincide with the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) scheduled to take place from 12th to 15th November in Kigali, Rwanda. The proposed workshop will give faculty the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the PHE conceptual framework and current projects, as well as review the curricula of existing courses with the intent of incorporating PHE content.
At the country level, the National PHE Strategy has already been drafted and is expected to be approved this year, with the Ministry of East African Community Affairs as the host and coordinating body, taking into consideration the importance of Lake Victoria to the EAC member countries. Ms. Nakajubi further shared that Pathfinder International Uganda and its partners would work with the National Population Council (NPC) as the lead technical agency to help implement the strategy.
In his remarks, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed Dr. Marsh and Ms. Nakajubi to Makerere University and thanked them for sharing their proposal. “This is a very wonderful initiative especially as Population, Health and Environment issues deeply impact every single Ugandan community.”
Citing recent reports that put Uganda’s population estimate at 100million by 2030, Prof. Nawangwe expressed fear that this was a disaster waiting to happen unless measures were taken to adequately plan for increased food production and health provision, especially in the wake of climate change and increasing incidences of diseases such as ebola.
“The rate at which the current population is destroying the environment is alarming! As the population increases, this can only get worse. On the PHE front, almost every discipline in the University has a role to play and as such, Makerere, through the Department of Population Studies would love to take lead in making a contribution” remarked Prof. Nawangwe before reassuring the team of the University Management’s full support for the initiative.
The meeting was attended by the Dean School of Women and Gender Studies-Dr. Sarah Ssali, Head Department of Population Studies-Dr. Cyprian Misinde and Mr. Mfitumukiza David, Climate Adaptation Specialist, Makerere University Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovations (MUCCRI),
Article by Public Relations Office
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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