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Mak rolls out Government Research and Innovations Fund

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Makerere University has announced its work plan of rolling out and management of the Government Research and Innovations Fund for the financial year 2019/2020. This was at the Sensitization meeting held on 23rd August 2019 in the University Main Hall. The meeting was attended by Management, Heads of Academic and Administrative Units as well as researchers and PhD students.

Makerere University received special funding worth UGX 30 billion (equivalent to US$ 8,100,000) from the Government of the Republic of Uganda under the Research and Innovations Fund (RIF); to support high impact Research and Innovations. This unique initiative was a climax of strategic meetings and continuous engagements involving Makerere University Management and the Government of Uganda.

The Chairperson of the Grants Management Committee (GMC) who is also the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Prof. William Bazeyo re-affirmed to the Makerere University community that the Government had committed UGX30 Billion of which UGX15 Billion Uganda shillings has been disbursed by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and is already on the Makerere University Account.

Someo of the members who attended the sensitization meeting.

According to Prof. Bazeyo, the money will be directed towards increasing local generation of translatable research and scalable innovations that address key gaps required to drive Uganda’s development agenda. The Research and Innovations Fund is aimed at complementing available research funding to address unfunded priorities critical to accelerating development across different sectors of the economy in Uganda.

“To ensure continuity, Government has committed to providing this funding for at least three Financial Years. Available funds are obligated to be spent within the current Financial Year, with actionable results that speak to national priorities,” he said.

He congratulated Makerere University Council, Management, staff and students upon this big achievement. He urged researchers and innovators to fully utilize the grant to develop research and innovation initiatives with the aim of transforming societies.

The Acting Principal of College of Humanaities and Social SciencesDr Josephine Ahikire interacting with the committee.

Prof. Bazeyo recognized the support from the government of Uganda and the Ministry of Education and Sports towards improving Makerere University research.  He thanked the University Council and Management for ensuring that the Grant is secured.

A multi-sectoral Grants Management Committee (GMC) to guide the implementation of all the Research and Innovations Fund activities was appointed by Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in consultation with all the Colleges. The Grants Management Committee (GMC) will be chaired by Prof William Bazeyo, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration and the other members include;

INDIVIDUAL POSITION
Dr. Umar Kakumba Member
Mr. Yusuf Kiranda   Member
Dr. Betty Ezati  Member
Dr. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala Member
Dr. John Mutenyo  Member
Dr. Josephine Nabukenya Member
Prof. Moses Joloba  Member
Prof. David Serwadda Member
Dr. Frank Mwiine  Member
Dr. Isa Kabenge Member
Dr. Sabrina Kitakka  Member
Dr. Charles Masembe    Member
Dr. Robinah Kulabako Member
Dr. Robert Wamala Member
Dr. Roy Mayega   Member

The Grants Management Committee therefore plans to source, vet, select and issue grants to teams that demonstrate a clear link to Government and its implementing partners’ key development research gaps.

The grant implementation will be in a phased approach. For the present round (Round 1), applications were opened on Monday 26th August 2019. Submission of applications is being done via an online platform: https://rif.mak.ac.ug. The Grants Committee will not consider applications submitted by any other means. Applicants are therefore advised to prepare their submissions on-time. If an applicant experiences any challenges in the submission process, they should send an email to: info@rif.mak.ac.ug.

Who is eligible for the grant?

According to the Assistant Secretary to the Committee and Grants Coordinator Dr. Roy William Mayega, the Research and Innovations Grant targets researchers and innovators from Makerere University. This includes Makerere University appointed academic staff (Assistant Lecturers, Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Associate Professors and Professors) and research staff who hold a valid and current appointment (research fellows and senior research fellows).

Dr. Mayega explaining the eligibility procedures.

“Academic staff from all academic colleges of Makerere University are eligible to apply as well as senior staff from the administrative units such as Library, Gender Mainstreaming, Quality Assurance, and the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training,” he said.

In a presentation, Dr Mayega highlighted that individual researchers or research teams will be required to have a letter of support from the Head of the Department under which the lead researcher is tenured. He also mentioned that researchers from other institutions of higher learning are not eligible to apply as principal investigators. However, they can be included as co-investigators or resource persons. In such cases, their role on the team in terms of the expertise they add ought to be clearly articulated.

“Government Research Grants target staff and not students. Students’ research proposals will therefore not be funded under these grants. However, students may be part of a research team. Collaboration with research personnel with a minimum of a master’s degree from civil society organizations, independent research institutions, business and industry is encouraged,” he emphasized.

To be eligible for funding therefore, a research team should meet the following criteria:

  • The Principal Investigator (PI) should be an academic or research staff of Makerere University on permanent or fulltime contract or a senior staff member from one of the administrative units linked to research (Library, Gender Mainstreaming, Quality Assurance, and the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT))
  • The PI should be actively in service (not on study leave or sabbatical leave)
  • The PI should obtain a letter of support from his/her department/school or College (any one of the three)
  • The PI should attach a copy of his/her appointment letter or most-recent letter of promotion issued by the Directorate of Human Resource of Makerere University
  • A researcher cannot be a PI on more than one application but it is allowable for a person to be on multiple applying teams
  • Researchers from Makerere University are encouraged to collaborate with resource persons from civil society organizations, government sectors, other universities within Uganda, independent research institutions, business and industry as part of their teams; in such cases, the external team members will provide a letter of support from their institution to be included as an attachment

For more information, kindly download the Document attached

Follow the link provided below to access the Research and Innovations Fund website;

http://rif.mak.ac.ug/application

Article by Mak Public Relations Office

 

Proscovia Nabatte

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Undergraduate Admissions List: Mop-up/Appeals 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:

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Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research

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Officials from Makerere University and DFCU Bank pose for a group photo at the Main Building Entrance after the MoU signing ceremony on 4th July 2025. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy

Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.

The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.

“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.

“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.

Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.

“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.

About MAK RUN 2025

The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.

The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.

The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

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Diploma in Performing Arts Admission List 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates who passed the special entry examinations for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025

The following have been admitted by the University’s Admissions Committee on Private Sponsorship for the 2025/26 Academic Year

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