General
Boost for Business Incubation as Mak Breaks Ground for FTBIC Phase II
Makerere University on Friday, 5th July 2019 broke ground for Phase II of the Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre (FTBIC) at the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering (SFTNB), College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). Upon completion, the facility will allocate 1,200 of the total 7,000square metres space to the FTBIC; a huge boost to the current 1,200square metres completed under Phase I. Funding for the expansion to the tune of UGX5billion has been secured under the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology.
Welcoming officials to the groundbreaking ceremony, the Dean SFTNB, Dr. Abel Atukwase thanked the University Council and Management for recognising the value of food technology and business incubation by ensuring that Phase II of the FTBIC kicks off and is completed successfully. He also thanked the leadership for securing funding for the project from Government.
The Manager, Procurement and Disposal Unit-Mr. Paul Agaba Muhire who also chaired the proceedings thanked the University officials, Project Manager, Contractor and Consultants present for attending the important ceremony. He assured all present that the Contractor had already received the funds required to kick-start the project and prayed for timely completion.
Representing the Acting University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Ms. Komugisha Consolate congratulated Excel Construction Limited upon being awarded the FTBIC Phase II contract. She urged the contractor to ensure that construction is done according to the highest quality of standards and completed on time.
The Project Architect and Manager, Plan Systems represented by Arch. Isaac Nyabwana thanked the University Leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility of overseeing the project. He acknowledged that Excel Construction Limited holds a good reputation in the construction industry and prayed that this reputation would be upheld during the FTBIC Phase II project. In addition to technical expertise, Arch. Nyabwana assured all parties of good communication throughout the project, as it is a very important contributor to client satisfaction.
On behalf of Excel Construction Limited, the Senior Contracts Manager, Eng. Murali Krishna thanked Makerere University for entrusting his company with the FTBIC Phase II project. He shared that Excel had previously completed all its projects on time and reassured all parties that this would not be the exception.
The Principal CAES, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha acknowledged that Excel Construction had indeed completed all its on-campus as well as off-campus projects; at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) on time. He thanked Eng. Krishna for his reassurances of quality and timely completion and requested the contractor to be mindful of other users on site; especially as FTBIC Phase I houses a full-fledged bakery.
In his remarks, The FTBIC Manager Prof. William Kyamuhangire shared that SFTNB took the lead in building fully functional spaces at Makerere University by opening the first restaurant housed by an academic unit. “As a university we deal with a variety of people who have other needs in addition to their academic pursuits and so it was more imperative for the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering to take the lead, especially in the food sector.”
Prof. Kyamuhangire further shared that the driving force for the FTBIC expansion are the increased calls from both Government and the general public for Makerere University to produce skilled graduates who can add value to fresh produce and create jobs for their communities.
“FTBIC is the unit of Makerere University that is open to all staff, students and the greater public with no strings or qualifications attached. However, you must demonstrate that you have a product that you would like to add value to. We shall then train you with the necessary skills to improve it, transfer technology and then once that is done, we can embark on the business side” explained Prof. Kyamuhangire.
Citing examples such as the Kiira EV and a variety of quality products produced under the FTBIC, Prof. Kyamuhangire added that Makerere University has earned the trust of Government by proving that funds allocated under the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology can be put to good use. This, he hoped, would encourage Government to allocate the rest of the funds required for the completion of sub-phase II.
The FTBIC Phase II project will be further broken down into two sub-phases. Makerere University has already secured UGX5billion required for sub-phase I and needs approximately UGX15billion for sub-phase II.
Article by Public Relations Office.
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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