General
Mak-Sweden APM 2019 off to Inspiring Start
The Makerere University-Sweden Bilateral Research Programme’s Annual Planning Meeting (APM) 2019 got off to an inspiring start as participating institutions underlined their intention to comply with the theme; Building a Collaborative Research Future. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe’s remarks on Ugandan partner universities working on exit strategy to sustain the research investments beyond 2020 and reactions from Swedish partners expressing willingness to collaborate with Session 1 presenters on application of research findings all clearly attested to this.
Addressing participants and dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the APM on Monday, 8th April 2019, the Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, H.E. Per Lindgärde welcomed the discussion on strengthening the ownership and securing the sustainability of his Government’s investment in Uganda’s research over the past twenty years.
“Despite the challenges faced in the implementation of this programme, 361 scholars have been recruited and a number of new curricula have been developed. I congratulate you for this and other important achievements” remarked Ambassador Lindgärde.
He nevertheless urged the implementing Ugandan Public Universities to strengthen the quality of supervision and put in place systems for monitoring and analyzing data concerning student progress on the programme.
Earlier, Ambassador Lindgärde had noted with pleasure the Uganda Government’s plans to review the Higher Education Sector Strategic Plan and National Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation. “This will help to facilitate the very much needed transformation of the Higher Education Sector in Uganda and reequip the sector with the policies and resources to make it a dynamic engine that can help power the Ugandan economy as stated in the Vision 2040.”
The Ambassador also thanked the Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF) students for singing Swedish Anthem “so beautifully.”
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked the Government of Uganda for allocating UGX30billion in the 2019/2020 financial year to support research at Makerere University. This, he noted, would go a long way in enabling Makerere’s pool of researchers; including over 250 PhDs and 100 Masters and 50 Postdoctoral fellows trained under the Bilateral Research Programme since 2000, to gainfully contribute to national development.
“This support has greatly improved the research culture of the University. I must say that many proposals are now being funded both in the basic and social sciences. Our publications have also greatly increased and this achievement is largely due to the support from Government of Sweden through Sida.
“The Swedish support has enabled us to implement all our research priorities including Health and Health Systems; Agricultural Transformation, Food Security and Livelihoods; Natural Resources Governance and Climate Change; Education and Education Systems; Governance, Culture, Social Justice and Sustainable Development; Science and Technology. The cross-cutting areas include Biotechnology, Knowledge Translation, Gender and Human Resource Development” added the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe further noted that Makerere University has with the support of Sida been able to establish strong collaborations with leading universities including those from Sweden. “We have learnt best practices from these universities and also benefitted from joint supervision, which has ensured high quality of our graduates.”
In this regard, he thanked Swedish institutions such as Karolinska Institute for working with Ugandan universities on programmes beyond the current phase of Swedish Government support. The final phase of the Makerere-University Sweden Bilateral Research Programme runs until June 2020.
The Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) and Overall Sida Programme Coordinator, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi noted that the five-day APM has been organised to provide an opportunity for the five Ugandan Public Universities to share research findings, take stock of performances as per the agreed research undertakings and engage with policy to transform society.
“In recent years, Makerere has placed more emphasis on research and scholarly productivity of faculty. Despite the regional faculty shortage, we were able to recruit and appoint a number of PhD-prepared and research-active faculty and to support junior faculty to get their PhDs. Capacity building has been a major goal of the University and will continue to be so in the future” reassured Prof. Buyinza.
Prof. Buyinza also introduced participants from the eleven Swedish collaborating institutions namely; Stockholm University, Karolinska Institute, University of Boras, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, University of Gothenburg, Uppsala University, Chalmers University of Technology, Lund University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Linköping University and Mälardalen University.
The APM’s Science Day presentations kicked off in a session chaired by the Sida Programme Coordinator in Kyambogo University, Assoc. Prof. Nabalegwa Wambede. Dr. Gaston Ampek Tumuhimbise from the Department of Food Technology and Human Nutrition, Makerere University presented on the use of amaranth leaves and skimmed milk powders to enrich orange fleshed sweet potato flour while Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)’s Mr. Vincent Mwesigye presented on the sero-antigen prevalence, risk factors of lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis in Busiriba, Kamwenge District.
However, the shock and awe moment of the day belonged to Mr. Okot Fred David whose presentation on partial findings of characterisation of anti-venom compounds from selected plants locally used for treatment of snakebites in Uganda left the audience gaping. His findings will seek to document and determine the anti-venom potential of medicinal plants used by traditional medical practitioners to treat snakebites since time immemorial. This indigenous knowledge, he observed, is sadly not so prevalent among the youth and risks being lost with the passing on of the older generations.
Article by Public Relations Office
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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