IAA Healthcare has partnered with the Makerere University to provide world-class medical services during the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship 2018. The package that includes a fully equipped Ambulance that will be working 24/7, a team of well-trained personnel and other medical support was announced by the IAA Healthcare Sales Manager Mr. Aurthur Esimat at the Press Conference that was held on 5th September 2018, at IAA Healthcare offices.
“All the medical supplies required for the event will be at disposal of the organizing committee. In addition, we have earmarked IHK hospital as the referral hospital in case of any eventuality. We can only build on the priceless experience and ensure that the hundreds of guests that will participate in the World University Netball Championship leave with exceptional memories from our unparalleled service,” he said.
Uganda is set to host the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship 2018 from 17th -21st September 2018 at Makerere University. According to the Head-Secretariat, Local Organizing Committee Ms. Penninah Kabenge, eight countries including; USA, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Africa, Zimbawe, Namibia, Kenya, and the host (Uganda) have confirmed participation.
“We expect these teams together with other delegates to start arriving on 14th September 2018. We have organized a grand opening ceremony on 17th September 2018 in the Makerere University Freedom Square and we call upon all Ugandans to attend. I would like to say that we are ready and eagerly waiting for the D-day to come,” said Peninnah Kabenge.
Represented by the 1st Vice President of the Local Organizing Committee of the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship Dr. Sarah Ssali, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who is also the President of the Local Organizing Committee; thanked IAA Healthcare for coming on board to ensure better health conditions during the days of the competitions.
"IAA has better services which meet both local, national and international levels. I am confident that they will provide the best medical services to our international guests during the competitions,” he stated.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded organizations, companies, institutions and individuals that have partnered with Makerere University and other organizing committees to ensure that the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship 2018 is a success. He called upon all Ugandans to participate in the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship 2018 and witness their team winning the Championship.
“On behalf of Makerere University Hospital, I would like to assure the public that we are going to work with IAA Healthcare to ensure that the players and other participants receive the best healthcare services,” said Dr. Ebuk Ruth Acen, Head of Clinical Services at Makerere University Hospital.
Ms. Ritah Namisango- The Principal Public Relations Officer of Makerere University called upon staff, students, alumni, corporate bodies and well-wishers to popularize and support the Netball championship.
“This is a national event. Makerere University is hosting the Netball Championship on behalf of Uganda. We therefore call upon you to turn up in big numbers to cheer Team Uganda (The Mighty Cranes), which comprises 21 competent students from Makerere University and other universities in the country. I cannot hear all Ugandans cheering the Uganda Netball Team will with pleasure chorus the Netball Slogan: #Ettuuke, #Ettuuke, #Ettuuke, #Ettuuke,” she said.
The 2nd FISU World University Netball Championship was held in Miami, Florida in 2016 at St. Thomas University. In 2017, the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) in conjunction with Makerere University and the support of several stakeholders won the bid to host the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championships 2018. Uganda was awarded the hosting rights for the event, beating Namibia, England and Jamaica. The award was based on the successful hosting of the 5th All Africa Games in 2008, the 2nd FISU World University Woodball Championship 2010, and the 19th World University Cross Country Championship 2014 among others.
The bidding was initiated by the Sports and Games Union during the Student committee to council meeting, during which the Union proposed that Makerere University hosts the 2018 World University Netball Championship. The proposal was fully embraced and received the blessing of the University Council. The 3rd Edition of the World University Netball Championship was officially launched on Tuesday 1st August 2017 at Makerere University.
The Office of the Academic Registrar,Makerere University has released lists for the recommended for change of course/ programme for Degree/Diploma Scheme and Direct entry for Private/Government sponsored students for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
The lists released can be accessed by following the respective links below:
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe makes his remarks ahead of the MoU signing.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
The partners show off the signed MoU.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
Prof. Nawangwe presents a souvenir Mak Necktie to Dr. Jonathan Leape.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The meeting of Members of Management and the visiting delegation in session in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe pose for a group photo with members of their respective teams at the Main Building entrance.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).