General
Mak hosts 3rd IFEH and 16th MUEHSA Conference
The 3rd International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) and 16th Makerere University Environmental Health Students' Association (MUEHSA) Conference kicked off on 9th April 2019 at Hotel Africana. Officially opened by the Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, represented by the State Minister for Health-Primary Health Care, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the three days’ conference is running from 9th-11th April 2019 under the theme: Environmental Health: A Cornerstone to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 3rd International Federation of Environmental Health and 16th Makerere University Environmental Health Students' Association (MUEHSA) Conference brings together experts in environmental sciences and health, around the world to stimulate multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration in environmental health; central to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); particularly SDG 3 and SDG 6.
The Conference builds on the environmental health actions that seek to capture and spread the good practices as well as providing potential approaches to be adopted by environmental health Practitioners during their community activities.
According to the Dean, School of Public Health, Makerere University Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Conference is the first to be hosted in Africa and has come at a time when environmental health continues to play a pivotal role in existing global health concerns.
“Currently the world is facing challenges such as food safety, pollution, water, sanitation, improper housing, hygiene, antimicrobial resistance, climate change as well as one health especially in our developing countries. -This requires the active engagement and participation of environmental health practitioners to come up with solutions and innovations to address the challenges,” she said.
In a speech read by the State Minister for Health-Primary Health Care, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the Prime Minister applauded the organizers of the conference for developing a platform for practitioners, academicians, researchers, policy makers, implementers, funders, legislators and students to discuss and find solutions on improving Environmental Health Practices.
According to Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda through the Ministry of Health has focused on preventative than curative measures while handling environmental health matters. The Ministry appointed Environmental Health Officers who have made a significant role towards controlling major health epidemics such as plaque, cholera, and Ebola.
“Over the years, the profession has continued to evolve and Environmental Health Officers have played a key role in disease surveillance and carrying out research on epidemic outbreak. The tremendous work that Health Inspectors have played to ensure that households are habitable is undeniable. We have made great contribution to improve access to water and ensure proper sanitation and hygiene,” he remarked.
He emphasized the importance of investing in Environmental Health when he said, “environmental health is a critical field that needs proper attention. It is the backbone of Public health. The environment we live in determines our health status. The Government of Uganda is currently spending UGX260 billion, annually on treatment of preventable diseases and we shall spend less if we put a lot of effort in preventive measures,” said the Prime Minister.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda cited the need for continued capacity building and research support in the field of environmental health. He applauded the government of Uganda for committing UGX30 billionto support research in Universities.
The President of the International Federation of Environmental Health-Dr. Selva Mudaly appealed to politicians and other leaders of the world to support activities geared towards environmental conservation. “Climate change is a reality. Don’t look away. The recent widespread flooding in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi is a caution of what is happening in Africa. Don’t wait for the wake up, break up and then start looking for environmental scientists,” said Dr. Selva Mudaly.
He called upon responsible officers to prioritise and fund disaster and risk management trainings. He also encouraged researchers to take research to communities.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University represented by Prof. William Bazeyo-the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, noted that Environmental Health is the beginning of Public Health. He informed participants that environmental health links the nation to its community. He applauded the School of Public Health for being the flagship of Makerere University in research, publications, human resource development and quality production.
According to Prof. Bazeyo, the world is facing a big problem of one health; non communicable and communicable diseases. He therefore urged scientists to take the topics seriously and find solutions.
During the opening ceremony, the President of the International Federation of Environmental Health Dr. Selva Mudaly handed over the Roy Emerson Award to the 2019 winner, Mr. George William Ssendagala; a student of Food Science and technology at Makerere University.
The Roy Emerson Award is an essay competition for Environmental Health undergraduate students from IFEH Member Countries or IFEH Academic Association members. Organized by the International Federation of Environmental Health, the 2019 competitions called upon students to discuss and critically appraise the aims to support the provision of safe food, to make use of precious water & nutrient resources, and for communities to increasingly value sustainable food production on the topic; “Global Food Safety and Sustainability.”
George William Ssendagala’s area of focus was on Developments in the Obushera in Uganda- a traditional fermented drink in Africa.
“I looked at fermented foods in Africa, America, Europe and Asia to get a big picture and then narrowed down to Obushera in Uganda. My aim was to understand the safety issues that are negatively affecting the industry of Obushera production and the waste management process since the drink is packaged mostly in plastic materials picked from garbage,” he said.
The 3rd International Federation of Environmental Health and 16th Makerere University Environmental Health Students' Association (MUEHSA) Conference will end on 11th April 2019. During the three days, participants will go through an exciting programme consisting of keynote addresses, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, mentorship, career guidance session, student’s debates and meetings.
The Chairperson of the Conference Organizing Committee, Makerere University School Public Health Dr. David Musoke, encouraged participants to explore opportunities that the conference is offering especially potential collaboration in teaching, research and practice.
“I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of this conference. My humble appreciation goes to IFEH, Ministry of Health, Makerere University, Environmental Health Workers Association of Uganda, Nottingham Trent University, UK and all sponsors and partners who have played a vital role in making this conference a success,” said Mr. George Oryongatum, the Conference Co-Chairperson and MUEHSA President.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office
When a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) visited Makerere University on 23rd July 2026, one of the biggest discussions was how universities can effectively manage research grants.
The MUST delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika, visited Makerere to learn from the University’s experience in managing externally funded research projects. During the meeting, Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe revealed that while MUST managed research grants worth about UGX 13 billion in the last financial year, Makerere’s research portfolio now stands at approximately USD 250 million.
The discussion focused on the systems, policies and accountability measures that have enabled Makerere to manage one of the largest research portfolios in Africa.
Research Funding Built on Trust.
Prof. Nawangwe explained that Makerere’s research funding comes from different colleges and research units.
He noted that the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) alone attracts about USD 70 million annually, while the School of Public Health receives approximately USD 30 million each year. Together, the two units account for nearly USD 100 million in research funding.
He said these grants are made possible because development partners trust the University to manage public resources responsibly.
“We must ensure proper accountability so that we don’t lose the trust of our donors and continue benefiting from their support,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
How Makerere Manages Research Grants.
Acting University Secretary Mr. Simon Kizito took the MUST delegation through the key requirements that every grant funded project must meet under Makerere’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).
He explained that every research project must first be included in the University’s approved budget in line with the Public Finance Management Act before any funds can be spent.
He also emphasized that procurement under research grants must comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act, regardless of the donor’s procurement guidelines.
“The Auditor General will pounce on you” if procurement procedures are not followed, he cautioned.
Mr. Kizito further explained that all assets purchased using grant funds, including vehicles and equipment, must be recorded in the University’s central assets register unless the funding agreement states otherwise.
He added that separate project bank accounts can only be opened with approval from the Accountant General, while all projects must submit both financial and narrative reports to funders and government and undergo regular audits.
University Bursar Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha noted that although grant funds do not appear directly in the University’s main financial statements, they are fully disclosed in the notes to the accounts and are audited annually before reports are submitted to Parliament.
Lessons from the Research and Innovation Fund.
The delegation also learnt about the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Representing the Fund, Dr. Roy William Mayega said Mak-RIF has invested about UGX 172 billion in research and innovation over the last seven financial years.
He explained that 70 percent of the funding supports competitive research grants, 10 percent is reserved for projects addressing national priorities, while the remaining funds support monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of research findings.
According to Dr. Mayega, the Fund has so far supported 1,480 research and innovation projects, with 53% completed and 47% still ongoing.
Looking Beyond Research Grants.
Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships Prof. Robert Wamala encouraged the visiting delegation to look beyond simply winning research grants.
He emphasized the importance of investing in strong internal systems, using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, and ensuring that research leads to publications, patents, commercialization and partnerships with industry.
He noted that universities should not only focus on attracting grants but also on translating research into solutions that benefit society.
Learning from Makerere’s experience.
Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika said MUST recently established a Research Institute to coordinate research activities and grant management under one structure. She explained that the University wanted to learn from Makerere’s experience as its own research portfolio continues to grow.
“We have come to learn from your achievements as well as the challenges, so that we can do things better,” she said.
She added that the visit marks the beginning of closer collaboration between the two institutions, with a follow up technical engagement planned to allow the MUST team to learn more about Makerere’s grant management systems, including the GAMSU online platform.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management on 23rd July 2026 hosted a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika. The visit follows the formation of the Grants Office under the newly opened MUST Research Institute. This delegation was therefore keen to benchmark Makerere University’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)’s experience as the office responsible for managing all MUST’s research and innovation funding takes shape.
Welcoming the delegation, most of whom are alumni of Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MUST on strides made in human capacity development throughout the 37 years of existence, particularly in the health sciences.
“We have collaborated in various areas, particularly in medicine – I see many of our researchers publishing together, and we have joint programmes, especially in HIV/AIDS research” the Vice Chancellor remarked, before adding “Our collaboration in medicine is very strong, and it would be good to expand this collaboration to other disciplines.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that although this was a benchmarking visit, the learning process is two-way and as such, the team from Makerere is equally keen to learn from their MUST counterparts. “As a slightly smaller university, you may have more time to reflect on issues than we do,” he explained.
In her remarks, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Management for accepting to host the benchmarking delegation, noting that it was a homecoming visit for her and several colleagues. She equally acknowledged that collaborations in Medicine take the lion’s share of existing work between two intuitions.
“Our largest faculty, formerly the Faculty of Medicine, has recently been renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences to better reflect its broader mandate. However, our other faculties include: Faculty of Science, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (Engineering)” she explained.
She added that in 2026, MUST established the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, and is restructuring the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies to strengthen its focus as a science and technology university. Away from academia, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika shared that MUST’s hitherto semi-autonomous research centres had been brought under the umbrella of a Research Institute, “to provide a coordinated framework for research.”
They include the Centre of: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine; Innovation and Technology Transfer; Tropical Forest Conservation; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Entrepreneurship; and Public Policy and Economic Data.
Turning to the gist of the visit, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika noted that as MUST continues to restructure its units and grow it’s grants portfolio, tapping into Makerere University’s wealth of experience in attracting and managing funding from both the Government and development partners is inevitable.
“Makerere, as the leading university in the country, continues to support other universities, and we would like to benefit from that experience,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika remarked. “We hope to learn from both your achievements and your challenges so that we can improve our own systems” she concluded.
The meeting was attended by the Acting University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Research, Innovation and Partnerships-Prof. Robert Wamala, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head GAMSU- Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Member of Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Coordinator-Dr. Roy William Mayega and Advancement Office’s Mr. Vincent Lubega Nsamba.
The MUST delegation included; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Robert Bitariho, University Secretary-Mr. Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora, and Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Prinari Behangana. Others included Finance Manager-CPA Annah Atuhaire, MUST Research Institute Chief Research Officer-Assoc. Prof. Angella Musiimenta, Principal Legal Officer-Mr. Timothy Mugumya, Deputy Secretary (Planning)-Ms. Robinah Nakakeeto and Dean Faculty of Business and Management Sciences-Dr. John Baguma Kule.
By Murungi Gloria N.
Building a century of excellence, Makerere University Strategic Plan 2026-2030 lays a clear roadmap to strengthen research, innovation, transformative education as well as national and global development over the next five years.
Makerere University launches the strategic plan 2025-2030 central (c) Hon. Henry Musasizi, left (L) Mrs. Lorna Magara, second right Guild President Makerere University, third right Prof. Barnabus Nawangwe
On Thursday 2nd July 2026, at Makerere Main Campus, the launching event gathered government leaders, development partners, university leaders and dignitaries such the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, representative of the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority as well as the University Vice Chancellor. Makerere launched its strategic plan under the theme; ‘Optimizing the University’s Research Potential for National and Global Transformation.’
Preparing the strategic plan
‘Preparing this plan has been a process,’ the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Herny Alinaitwe said. He emphasized that the strategic plan was developed through careful consultation, review and participation rather than being created in isolation. The previous Makerere University plan used to have long term of 10years. However, around 2019-2020 the National Planning Authority advised to adjust to the five years of National Development Plan (NDP IV) ensuring that the University contributes directly to the country’s development.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe
Accelerating to national transformation
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, began his speech by reaffirming University’s long-term vision. ‘Our vision is to be an outstanding leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development.’ He added the Makerere’s mission is to provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research and service responsive to dynamic national and global needs.
He emphasised that the new strategic plan is designed to transform Makerere into a research-led University and for this to happen we need to have more than 419 professors and 473 associate professors. Currently the university has 73 professors and 144 associate professors.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
‘We are not removing undergraduate programmes but we want to reduce them gradually and increase graduate numbers because those are the ones going to do the innovations and transform the economy,’ continued Prof. Nawangwe. He stressed the postgraduate students play a crucial role in research and innovation and increasing postgraduates from 10% to 16.1% enrolment is therefore central to achieving the University’s vison of becoming a leading research institution.
He said, ‘Makerere University continues to contribute its fair share to transforming human capital in the country and economic development.’ He thanked and encouraged the government and other partners to further increase the goodwill towards the institution.
‘Today marks not the end of the process but the beginning of an even greater responsibility it’s successful implementation,’ noted the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara. reminded stakeholders that the launch is only the first step and its success will depend on faithful implementation.
She highlighted the central roles of higher education, research and innovation in Uganda’s economic transformation. ‘Let us therefore move with courage, lead with integrity, purse excellence without compromise and together we will build a much stronger Makerere for a stronger Uganda.’
Transformation objectives
Prof. Nawangwe and the chairperson University Council Mrs. Lorna presented possible targets in the strategic plan, among them increasing PhD student enrolment from 15% to 35%, registered patents from 15 to 45, commercialised innovations from 25 to 65, STEM enrolment from 32% to 55%, postgraduate enrolment from 3700 to 7000 by 2030 and raise graduate employability from 45% to 65%within six months of graduation.
Mrs. Lorna Magara
Government commitment to the strategic plan
Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi launched the strategic plan 2025-2030 describing it as a timely and forward-looking roadmap that aligns with Uganda’s vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Hon. Henry Musasizi
‘This Strategic plan comes at an important time as the country works to grow its economy from about USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040.’
The Chief Guest, Hon. Herny Musasizi noted that Uganda’s ambition to expand its economy from approximately USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040 will require sustained investment in research, innovation, industrialisation and human capital development, with universities playing a central role in achieving these aspirations.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue working with Makerere University to build a growing income, industrialised and knowledge driven economy while stressing accountability, innovation and the need to apply research in solving Uganda’s development hardships. He also commended Makerere for aligning its strategic priorities with national development goals, explaining that such alignment would facilitate government support and resource allocation through the national budgeting process.
Leading to national economic transformation through universities
Reflecting on the central role of higher education in Uganda’s economic transformation, Samuel Kasule, the Senior Planner for Education and Skills, National Planning Authority appreciated Makerere roles.
Samuel Kasule
‘At the cornerstone of increased labour productivity is the role of universities especially in supporting the high impact sectors identified in the tenfold growth strategy,’ Mr. Kasule remarked.
He elaborated that universities are expected to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to drive innovation across sectors such as minerals, oil and gas, agro-industrialisation, tourism and agriculture. He also argued the by producing highly skilled human capital as well as fostering innovation institutions like Makerere University will play a pivotal role in increasing labour production and accelerate economic growth achieving Uganda’s ambition of becoming a USD500 billion from USD50 billion under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Conclusion
Guided by its strategies direction of excellence, accountability, professionalism, integrity and respect together with inclusivity, the University has reinforced its commitment to advancing quality education, research and innovation. The launch of strategic plan 2025-2030 reflects this commitment by positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development and transformation, consistent with national priorities.
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