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CoBAMS to Host Pakasa Forum and 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo

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Over 1,500 Makerere University students in the Department of Marketing and Management under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) are prepared to showcase innovative ideas during the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo 2018.

During the press conference held on Monday, 8th October 2018, the The Principal CoBAMS Dr. Eria Hisali and sponsors called upon Government ministries, the business community, private sector, prospective partners, staff, alumni, students, media and the general public to come to Makerere University to on Friday, 12th October 2018 and take part in the Expo starting at 9:00am in the Freedom Square.

Dr. Peter Turyakira, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management said that the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo focusing on the theme, “Unlocking the student’s potential,” will offer students an opportunity to display what they learn in class. He added that the Expo would also be a platform for them to begin planning for life after university.

L-R: New Vision Officials (L & 2nd L), Dr. Peter Turyakira, Dr. Eria Hisali and Dr. Cathy Mbidde address the press at CoBAMS, Makerere University

“In these Expos, students demonstrate to their colleagues and the general community that they can turn the theory learnt at the university into practice. The Entrepreneurship Expo is the first place where students learn about the tools they will use to turn an idea into a startup; grow a new venture or join an early stage venture,” said Dr. Turyakira.

He added that the Expo will be preceded by a Pakasa Forum in the CoBAMS Auditorium on Thursday, 11th October 2018 from 9:00am to 12:00pm and called upon students, staff and the entire public to attend both the Forum and the Expo.

Dr. Turyakira revealed that in order to minimize graduate unemployment in Uganda, the Department of Marketing and Management is setting up an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre  aligned to Makerere University’s Vision: To be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa.

“The Centre is envisioned to create a platform to expose both undergraduate and graduate students to the workplace environment, innovativeness, risk bearing, product development, business startup and management,” remarked Dr. Turyakira.

In his remarks, Dr. Eria Hisali said that activities such as the Expo enable the University to support Government in addressing issues regarding youth unemployment as it equips students with the practical skills needed to start up their own businesses.

The Principal CoBAMS-Dr. Eria Hisali said the Expo is one way Mak supports Government initiatives to promote entrepreneurship

According to Dr. Hisali, community engagement is one of core functions of the university and the Expo is one way of giving back to the community since it sensitizes people about starting up their own enterprises and being self-employed.

He thanked the sponsors of the Expo for playing a role in the nurturing of young student entrepreneurs and called for continuous support from them.

The New Vision is the main sponsor of this year’s Expo. Other sponsors include: Post Bank Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, Pride Microfinance Limited, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, United Bank of Africa, Eistein Rising Uganda and Business Development Service Providers Network.

New Vision's-Mr. Joseph Byaruhanga was glad that Mak is hosting the Pakasa Forum. New Vision and other partners will also sponsor the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo

Mr. Joseph Byaruhanga, the Marketing Officer, New Vision was glad that the 9th Pakasa Forum organized by New Vision will be held at Makerere University where different panelists will sensitize  students and community members on entrepreneurship skills.

Addressing journalists, Mr. Byaruhanga noted that the theme for the Expo is in line with Pakasa Forum’s objectives of exposing students’ abilities where young entrepreneurs display and promote their innovative ideas and businesses.

Dr. Cathy Mbidde who is the team leader explained that the Expo is mandatory for all students of entrepreneurship. She said that the best students will be awarded according to their performance and the best team will receive the Vice Chancellor’s Award, the second team will receive the Principal’s Award and the third team will receive the Dean’s Award.

Dr. Mbidde added that the College shall follow up the winners and is willing to allocate them space at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre and nurture them to further develop their ideas.

Article by: Rachael Kanyi and Esther Joyce Nakibombo, Communication Volunteers-PR Office

 

Mark Wamai

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Call for Applications: Government Sponsorship 2026/27

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Makerere University -Main Building

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB Centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2026/2027 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information
System (ACMIS) from 15th October, 2025 to 31st December, 2025. The Public Universities include:
(a) Makerere University
(b) Makerere University Business School
(c) Mbarara University of Science and Technology
(d)Kyambogo University
(e) Gulu University
(f) Busitema University
(g) Muni University
(h) Kabale University
(i) Lira University
(j) Soroti University
(k) Mountains ofthe Moon University

NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.

Other Important documents:

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PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support

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Mak PIM COE Steering Committee

The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.

In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.

She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.

Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.

The PIM Steering Committee in a meeting held at Emin Pasha Hotel

She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.

The centre team presented the proposed  structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.

The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Strengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen

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Seated: Prof. Sarah Ssali (C), Dr. Dinie Bouwman (L) and Dr. Anita Veltmaat (R) with teams from Makerere University and the University of Groningen during the meeting on 7th October 2025. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.

The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor's Boardroom. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.

The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat.

However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.

The meeting in session. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The meeting in session.

The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.

The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama.

Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst.

The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.

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