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Mak’s Big Winners at the 2019 Big Ideas Contest

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Teams from Makerere University have over the years participated in the Big Ideas Contest with remarkable success. Big Ideas is an annual contest orgainsed by the University of California, Berkeley and its partners, aimed at providing funding, support, and encouragement to interdisciplinary teams of students who have “big ideas.”

In November 2018, the Contest received over 330 pre-proposal applications, representing over 1,000 students across 12 campuses. After a preliminary round and a final review, 34 teams were awarded prizes across 8 different categories, with award amounts ranging from $2,000 to $15,000.

A total of four Makerere University teams made it into the final round in the categories of Global Health; Energy and Resource Alternatives; and Food Systems. The Cloud-based Emergency Response System (CERS) did Makerere proud by scooping the Third Overall Place on the Grand Prize Pitch Day as well as top honours in the Global Health category. CERS’ team members were; Moses Kintu, Jordan Ongwech and Trevor Nagaba.

TyphGen; A Better Point-of-Care Diagnostic For Typhoid Fever also received an Honorable Mention in the same category. Sharon Bright Amanya, Rendani Manenzhe, Brenda Nakandi, Brian Nyiro and Joshua Obura made up this team.

Wet Technik; a startup looking at reducing the costs of water usage and environmental pollution by hazardous wastewater through the use of constructed wetlands took the second place in the Energy and Resource Alternatives category. The team was made up of Dennis Ssekimpi, Mark Musinguzi and Nina Shatsi.

The fourth team in the finals from Makerere University was Chap-Dyer; an affordable dryer for agricultural produce that uses moisture resistant eucalyptus poles as frames and rough stone slates as a base. The team that took second honours in the Food Systems category was made up of Morris Atuhwera and George Komakeck.

We thank the Team at the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) as well as all other and students that contributed to this success. We equally thank CERS, TyphGen, Wet Technik and Chap-Dryer for bringing great pride to their alma mater.

Please click here for detailed information about the winning teams in the Big Ideas Newsletter

Article by Public Relations Office

 

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Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination Results 2026/2027

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The office of the Academic Registrar has released the results for Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination 2025/2026 held on Saturday 18th April, 2026.

Candidates who scored 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended to the Admissions Committee for consideration. However, the candidates who passed have to submit an application where Bachelor of Laws is among the programme choices in the application system here: https://apply.mak.ac.ug.

Candidate who are not satisfied with their results may appeal within two weeks from the date of the release of results.

Follow the links below for the candidate lists showing results of the categories of candidates respectively:

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Makerere University-ND Sign MoU to Enhance Collaboration

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The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) and the ND 18th President, Rev. Robert A. Dowd shake hands after signing the MoU. Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA (ND) sign 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, May 2026.

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.

Officials pose for a group photo with the signed MoU. Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA (ND) sign 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, May 2026.
Officials pose for a group photo with the signed MoU.

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.

The Chairperson of Council Dr. Lorna Magara (Centre) presents Mak Coffee to an ND official as University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda (Right) witnesses. Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA (ND) sign 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, May 2026.
The Chairperson of Council Dr. Lorna Magara (Centre) presents Mak Coffee to an ND official as University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda (Right) witnesses.

Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.

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Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions

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Hon. Margaret Muhanga assisted by Dr. Charles Olaro officially launches the SAY Plus+ Programme as L-R: Amb. Signe Winding Albjerg, Amb. Frederieke Quispel, Ms. Kristine Blokhus and Prof. Henry Alinaitwe witness. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe addresses participants at the launch. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe addresses participants at the launch.

Ms. Kristine Blokhus. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Kristine Blokhus.

Part of the audience at the event. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Part of the audience at the event.

Some of the young people that attended the event. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the young people that attended the event.

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe signs the commemorative piece. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe signs the commemorative piece.

L-R: Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dr. Charles Olaro, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Amb. Signe Winding Albjerg, Amb. Maria Håkansson, Amb. Frederieke Quispel, Amb. Unnur Orradottir Ramette, Ms. Kristine Blokhus and a young lady during the press interviews. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health officially launches 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, Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. 7th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dr. Charles Olaro, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, Amb. Signe Winding Albjerg, Amb. Maria Håkansson, Amb. Frederieke Quispel, Amb. Unnur Orradottir Ramette, Ms. Kristine Blokhus and a young lady during the press interviews.

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