Makerere University was on Monday, 5th November 2018 admitted to Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative Network in Hanoi Vietnam . EfD is Sida funded network undertaking policy research, training and outreach in the areas of environmental and natural resource economics. The Secretariat is based at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
Prior to the new admissions, the network had 12 Centres most of them university-based; and located in different continents (South America, Asia, Africa and Europe). The network has now increased to 15 Centres after admitting Makerere University, University of Ghana and University of Nsukka in Nigeria.
The School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) under the leadership of Prof. Edward Bbaale and the School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) under the leadership of Prof. Johnny Mugisha submitted a proposal to establish an EfD Centre at Makerere University. Since October 2017, the proposal has undergone various stages of vetting including assessing the suitability of research infrastructure and human resource at the University.
The Assessors visited Makerere in September 2018 and interacted with top management, Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Principals of CAES and CoBAMS, academic staff and key stakeholders in government and private sector.
The EfD-Mak Centre will deliver high quality research, graduate training support, and policy engagement in solving environmental and resource economics challenges. The Center will work with the relevant government departments, the private sector and civil society to drive research and policy action that are underpinned by issues regarding environmental management and sustainable development.
Prof. Bbaale and Prof. Mugisha thank the University Top Management, Director DRGT-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Principal CAES-Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, Principal CoBAMS-Dr. Eria Hisali, academic staff, and stakeholders outside Makerere University for all the support that has led to this great achievement.
Writeup by Prof. Johnny Mugisha & Prof. Edward Bbaale
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.