General
Mak Wins 4 Multi-institutional African Union Research Grants
On Wednesday, 6th March 2019, I represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the launch of the multi-institutional research projects funded by the African Union Commission through the African Union Research Grants with support from the European Commission. Makerere won four of the ten projects funded by the African Commission and will implement the grants in collaboration with University of Eduardo Mondlane Mozambique; and University of Zambia.
We congratulate the Principal Investigators (PIs) including:
i. Prof. Jessica Nakavuma – College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB): Development of bacteriophage cocktails as disease biocontrol agents for improved aquaculture productivity, food and nutrition safety in Uganda and Ghana
ii. Prof. Donald Kugonza – College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES): Marker-assisted breeding of native chickens in Uganda and Mozambique
iii. Mak as a partner: Aflatoxin contamination among Maize and Groundnut value chains in Zambia and Uganda
iv. Dr. Jackson Efitre – Department of Zoology, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
We thank our scientists who worked tirelessly to develop quality proposals that are a reflection of our drive to research excellence. It is gratifying to see our Faculty deploy their vast research capacity in Science, Technology and Innovations to solve the challenges bedevilling the agricultural sector and ultimately reduce hunger and improve the wellbeing of our people. I was overjoyed to know that our multi-institutional projects’ focus on – food, nutrition security, sustainable agriculture, is reflection of a new paradigm of Mak research agenda aimed at optimizing our relevance and contribution towards SGD 1: No poverty and 2: Zero hunger by 2030.
The kick-off meeting yesterday was attended by scientists from over 15 RUFORUM member institutions in Africa that have all demonstrated research excellence in fisheries, aflatoxin management and breeding of local chicken. From my own assessment, I could predict that the
implementation of these projects will not be a challenge because, at Makerere we have the Fisheries research centre at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) as well as a great team of Professors in these two colleges who will ensure success of the fisheries project.
Our Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre (FTBIC) has done significant research in Aflatoxins and will be of great benefit for the Aflotoxin research project and through the School of Agricultural Sciences has done significant research in Poultry breeding. All these human and physical endowments will in no doubt contribute significantly to the scientific success of the local chicken breeding project.
Evidently, Food, nutrition security and sustainable agriculture has been areas of focus of training and research at Makerere University and we are grateful to be provided with this opportunity to deploy our expertise to make a difference in our countries and continent at large through scientific research.
Our great respect goes to the RUFORUM Network through the Executive Secretary, Prof. Adipala Ekwamu, for mobilizing African universities to team up and develop quality research projects. This affirms Makerere's research leadership on the continent. We congratulate all the successful PIs.
Article by Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, DRGT, Makerere University
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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