General
Mak – CWRU Celebrate 30 Years of Research Collaboration
On 26th March 2019, Makerere University and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) held a symposium to celebrate 30 years of research collaboration under the theme "Building Bridges, Fighting Diseases – Past, Present and Future."
The Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration started in 1986 after a Presidential invitation to the Late Dr. Fredrick C. Robbins, CWRU Professor and Nobel Laureate, to visit Uganda and assist with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Addressing the audience, the President of CWRU Prof. Barbara R. Snyder called upon Makerere University Professors, Doctors and Lecturers to nurture the next generation of researchers who will continue to manage diagnosis, treatment and develop vaccines.
“This symposium is a celebration of 30 years. It also provides us with an opportunity to look forward to the next 30 years in eradicating HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and other diseases. Therefore I challenge you to train and educate young scientists who will carry on with our,” said Prof. Snyder.
Prof. Snyder said that the collaboration conducted the first HIV/AIDS clinical trial from1997-2000. Highlighting some of the achievements from the collaboration, Prof. Snyder said that they had trained over 90 Ugandans in short courses, Masters and Doctoral programmes, of whom over 98% are in Uganda holding various prominent academic, health care, NGOs and policy positions.
Prof. Snyder revealed the celebration of 30 years of collaboration was a sign of a remarkable relationship between both Universities, and she looked forward to more years of collaboration.
The Minister for Science Technology and Innovation Hon. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye revealed that the Government of Uganda under the Research Innovation Fund Framework would commit resources of about 500billion as startup fund to help in carrying out joint research collaborations, set up more research centers and laboratories and enhance capacity building.
“The Government of Uganda is willing to continue supporting Makerere University and Case Western Reserve University in research activities. Through the Research and Innovation Fund will help in training young scientists, provide laboratory infrastructures, improve management technologies for diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, and hepatitis B,” said Hon. Dr. Tumwesigye.
He thanked Case Western Reserve University for offering him a scholarship to study at the University where he acquired skills that have helped him serve his country as a Minister and the world at large as a scientist.
“I was one of the students at Case Western Reserve University from 1995 to 1997. The training at the University positively impacted on my work not only in basic health care, but also in developing community-based health programs as well as involving me in scientific research,” said Hon. Tumwesigye.
Hon. Tumwesigye applauded Case Western Reserve University for working with Makerere University and Uganda at large in the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“The best way to curb HIV/AIDS is to work together with partners. Therefore, I thank Case Western Reserve University for offering to train Ugandans to provide people who would work towards controlling HIV/AIDS,” said Hon. Tumwesigye.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University commended the collaboration teams for reaching out to Uganda Heart Institute, and the Cancer Institute, which has led to improved management of TB and Malaria. He appreciated the remarkable journey of the 30 years of collaboration, research, innovation and infrastructural development.
“We hope for the extension of the collaboration, joint programs, more research and publications and we look forward to being able to deliver more services to Makerere University, Case Western Reserve University and the country at large,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Amidst applause from the audience, Prof. Nawangwe presented a commemorative plaque to Prof. Snyder in recognition of the 30 years of partnership in research.
The Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Charles Ibingira, expressed gratitude towards Dr. Fredrick C. Robbins for the work and collaboration with Makerere University that has led to research innovation, publication and infrastructural development at the College.
Written by: Esther Joy Nakibombo, Volunteer, Mak Public Relations Office
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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