General
CAES Acquires US$9k Video Conferencing Facility Under USAID Capacity Building Project
A video conferencing facility worth US$9,148 has been installed at the School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) under the USAID Capacity Building project titled, “Upgrading the institutional capacity of the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE)”.
The facility was handed over by Prof. Allen Featherstone to the Head, DANRE Dr. Gabriel Elepu on 16th November, 2018. Also present were Prof. Vincent Amanor-Boadu (KSU), Dr. Cosas Guvule, Dr. Simon Byabagambi and staff from Makerere University. KSU is an abbreviation for Kansas State University-USA.
The major components of the system are the codec, camera, microphone array, network and power connections, air conditioning, wireless ports, dimmer lights, security system, projector and screen.
“This technology will make work, communication and collaboration easier,” Prof. Allen Featherstone said.
Receiving the facility, Dr. Gabriel Elepu thanked the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs for funding the DANRE/KSU Project at Makerere University. He applauded Kansas State University for accepting to partner with DANRE.
USAID’s Dr. Simon Byabagambi said DANRE and KSU need to interact at least weekly.
“The technology will allow body language to be visible as well. We shall upscale this pilot study with time but before that, it needs to be used effectively to achieve its goals. We need to find out agencies which have a similar facility and hence strengthen interaction and collaboration with them”, Byabagambi said.
Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator, DANRE, Dr. Jackie Bonabana-Wabbi welcomed the initiative saying, it will address the challenge of poor communication systems often affected by intermittent connectivity.
“The facility will increase communication and collaborations between Mak- DANRE and KSU, enhance teaching and research experience. With time, we may levy a small fee for non-DANRE members to take care of maintenance of the facility.’’ Dr. Bonabaana said.
She further said the target users of the facility are students, staff of DANRE and researchers who wish to collaborate with DANRE but because of distance, are not able to link up directly.
About Mak-DANRE/KSU Collaboration
In May 2018 over 40 Directors from USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs visited Makerere University Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE) to assess the progress of the DANRE/KSU project on Up-Grading and Enhancing the Institutional Capacity of the Department. The team was impressed with the DANRE/KSU project’s progress.
From 12th to 15th November, 2018 the 2nd Joint NARO-Mak Joint Scientific conference & 1st Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition Annual Scientific Symposium was successfully held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala where the USAID and KSU played a big role as major sponsors with experts giving key note speeches on food and nutritional security.
The DANRE/KSU Project concept was developed in 2011. Virginia Tech carried out the initial DANRE scoping study in 2014, followed by the DANRE Capacity Building Proposal submitted to USAID in 2015. A four-year project was approved. Michigan State University and the Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) program were brought on board in 2015. BHEARD released an RFA to network universities in 2016. Six applications were received and reviewed, and three applications were selected for further evaluation. KSU was selected to implement the project.
With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Makerere University Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE) partnered with Kansas State University (KSU) Department of Agricultural Economics to implement the objectives of the project.
The specific objectives of the project are:
1. To restructure and review the curricula structure of two postgraduate and undergraduate Programs including development of a taught PhD program;
2. To strengthen DANRE’s unit for agricultural research and analysis
3. Up-grade communication and instruction methods available to staff members.
The project focused on development of a strategic Plan on Up-Grading and Enhancing the Institutional Capacity of the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics, improving the Department’s educational program and teaching capacity as well as enhancing its grantsmanship.
The program approaches and strategies centered on quality enhancement and assurance in teaching, research & outreach. The program also considered establishing a value system based on excellence, efficiency, empathy, integrity and accountability.
The program is also looking at the Multidisciplinary approach of engaging persons from other academic disciplines and backgrounds to contribute towards its cause. It will also lobby the top university leadership to gain access to university resources and facilities as well as engaging in Networking and building strategic relationships and partnerships with industry and other relevant stakeholders.
So far, three (3) PhD students have been placed at KSU. A strategic plan for DANRE was drafted and finalized. A Colloquium on Trading in Global Agricultural Economy (Coffee GVC) was also successfully organised. A Collaboration Draft taught PhD curriculum and other curricula (PGD, BSc. AAE, MSc NR&E) is ongoing. Call for small grants proposals have been done with the exchange visits of administrators and faculty members going on.
Report compiled by;
Jane Anyango
Principal Communication Officer, CAES.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
-
General2 weeks agoDFCU Bank Uganda Supports the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Giveback Initiatives
-
General1 week agoVice Chancellor Updates Media on DVC AA Appointment, Acquisitions, Research & Various Issues
-
Computing & IS1 week agoICT Bootcamp for Vacists (P7, S4 & S6), Students & Professionals
-
General7 days agoStrengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen
-
General1 week agoMakerere and Nelson Mandela University Move to Actualize Existing MoU