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Mak is hosting the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity

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On 4th September 2019, the Secretary General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Prof. Ernest Aryeetey launched the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity at Makerere University-a multi disciplinary collaborative effort involving six (6) research intensive universities in Africa.

The colorful ceremony was attended by Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of research and academics from the member states of ARUA, researchers, management, staff and students of Makerere University, other invited dignitaries and media.

The ARUA Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity is one of the 14 Centres of Excellences established around the world. Hosted by Makerere University, the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity seeks to establish, expand and deepen scholarship around the notion of identity in Africa and how it manifests, shapes and impacts on contemporary African society.

The Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity  was lauched by the Secretary General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Prof. Ernest Aryeetey.

According to the Director of the Centre, Associate Professor Sarah Ssali who also doubles as the Dean School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University, the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity brings together six (6) universities dedicated to deepening scholarships and harnessing research on identities in Africa. The Universities include; Makerere University the host (Uganda), University of Ghana (Ghana) Obafemi Awolowo University (Nigeria), University of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), University of Witwatersrand (South Africa) and University of Rwanda (Rwanda). In addition, the Centre will collaborate with eight (8) Universities in United Kingdom (UK).

“Our research will focus on knowledge production, influencing factors shaping identities, medium communicating identifies, advocacy collaborations among other areas,’ she said.

The objectives of the Centre are:

  1. Develop a network of African institutions and researchers engaging with the question of identity
  2. Share knowledge, skills and other resources between the network partners in the CoE
  3. Develop a research agenda in the area of Identities in Africa between network partners
  4. To develop an intellectual community to engage with the notion of identity in each partner university
  5. Build capacity to research identities in Africa in the partner universities

Speaking at the launch, the Prof Ernest Aryeetey emphasized the need for African scholars to focus on excavating African richness and beauty through African research. He appealed to ARUA member Universities to embrace new ideas and relate the notions of African identities to the different sectors of development.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe addressing the congregation.

“We want to understand ourselves and where we are coming from.  We need to improve research across all sectors of development without neglecting the African research on the thematic areas of Climate change, Food security, Non-communicable diseases, Mobility & migration, Poverty & inequality, Unemployment & skills development, Notions of identity, Good governance, Post-conflict societies and Water conservation,” he said.

Prof. Aryeetey congratulated Makerere University upon winning the rights to host the Centre. He also applauded Makerere University Management, faculty and students for undertaking research that has developed solutions to community problems.

He urged collaborating Universities to visualize the African Research Universities Alliance as a Pan-African network that brings research and academic excellence to the fore front throughout the region by developing strong and viable research universities.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the Secretary General and the Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of research and academics from the member states of ARUA to Makerere University.  Prof. Nawangwe expressed Makerere University’s commitment to work with other partners in Africa to significantly contribute to global research development.

Some of the diginitaries that attended the function.

“At Makerere University, we fully subscribe to the vison and mission of ARUA and we want to play our part in ensuring that Africa truly joins the global knowledge community,” he said.

He acknowledged the team under the leadership of Associate Prof. Sarah Ssali that worked tirelessly on the proposal to have the Centre hosted at Makerere University. In the same spirit, Prof. Nawangwe thanked the judges for finding Makerere University proposal worthy supporting. He also thanked ARUA Vice Chancellors for endorsing the recommendation for Makerere University to host the Centre.

“My sincere gratitude also goes to the Secretary General, who has continuously encouraged us and provided valuable guidance. We became active in ARUA, after the 13 Centres of Excellence had been allocated to other universities and the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity was the one hanging. I said what an opportunity!  We quickly applied for the opportunity to host the center,” he narrated.

During the ceremony, the congregation listened to an informative and inspirational keynote address on Unpacking Identities in Uber-Colonial Africa. The Keynote Speaker, Prof. J. Oloka-Onyango highlighted the objectives of the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity premised on a question; What kind of political framework is most viable for the full expression of our varied African identities?

Prof. Oloka-Onyango delivering a keynote address during the launch of the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity.

According to Prof. Oloka-Onyango, ARUA scholars should avoid the notion of a single story during their research.  He urged them to embark on exploration of the multiple positive stories of identity that abound on the continent, while also examining and critiquing the more problematic and disempowering ones.

“We must avoid the “single story,” the result of which “robs people of dignity.  It makes our recognition of our equal humanity difficult.  It emphasizes how we are different rather than how we are similar. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize.  Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity,” said Prof. Oloka-Onyango.

On the issue of Theory, Research and Advocacy Audit, Prof. Oloka-Onyango advised ARUA scholars to develop methodological tools of analysis which suit the African local contexts.   He cautioned members, against turning ARUA into a space where theories from elsewhere are imported and given free reign. He encouraged scholars to actively engage in designing and applying home-grown theory.  

The Director of the Centre, Associate Professor Sarah Ssali  speaking at the function.

He appreciated the move for ARUA to embrace feminism without ifs or buts when he said, “Indeed, I would add that it is long overdue for an unapologetic embrace of the basic tenets of feminist principles in the African Academy. ARUA’s focus on Afro-feminism must point out that the situation of women is the result of several factors, the first of which is the multiple inequalities they face.  The second are the structural factors embedded in the kind of political and economic systems in operation.”  

The keynote address was further enriched by a panel discussion that was moderated by Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, the Acting Makerere University Secretary. The discussants included;

  • Associate Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze- Dean, School of Public Health
  • Dr Paul Omach-Head, Department of Political Science and Public Administration
  • Associate Prof. Josephine Ahikire- Acting Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) is a network of universities from different countries and different historical backgrounds, but with a common vision of expanding and enhancing significantly the quality of research done in Africa.  Inaugurated in Dakar in March 2015, ARUA brings together sixteen (16) of the region’s leading universities with the aim of strengthening African research through effective capacity-building. Its intention reflects what Africa needs at the moment from its leading universities.

From left to right; Associate Prof. Josephine Ahikire  , Prof. Oloka-Onyango, Mr. Yusufu Kiranda, Associate Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze and Dr Paul Omach.

The ARUA is focusing on;

  1. Increasing significantly the amount of research that is being done in the 16 universities
  2. Expanding the graduate training activities in the 16 universities
  3. Research management on the African continent
  4. Africa’s Research advocacy

Mak Hosts Deputy VCs and Pro-VCs (Research) under the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba, hosted the distinguished Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of research and academics, Pro-Vice Chancellors, and Directors from reputable research intensive African Universities. The two (4th -5th September 2019) days’ workshop undertaken by the Partnership for Pedagogical Leadership in Africa (PedaL) aimed at engaging the participants into a discussion on research, research funding, collaborations, setting up ARUA Centres of Excellence, and the ARUA Split-Site PhD programmes.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba, hosted the distinguished Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of research and academics, Pro-Vice Chancellors, and Directors from reputable research intensive African Universities.

The participating Universities included; University of Ibadan, University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, Rhodes University, University of Kwazulu-Natal, University of Lagos, University of Nairobi, University of Dar Es Salaam, and Makerere University.

PedaL is a formal partnership of eight institutions that aims at embedding and catalyzing systemic change in teaching and learning practices and to maximize learning outcomes through strategic interventions in graduate social science programmes.

Guests were entertained by the Department of Performing Arts and Film.

Related article:

https://news.mak.ac.ug/2018/05/secretary-general-arua-meets-mak-top-management-need-expand-and-enhance-africas-research

Article by: Mak Public Relations Office

 

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Vice Chancellor Updates Media on Medical Drones, Road Safety Research & Various Issues

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Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Centre) with Dr. Andrew Kambugu (Left) and Dr. Fredrick Oporia (Right) at the Press Briefing on 29th May 2025. Press Conference featuring Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme and Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit (TRIAD) Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Senior Common Room, Main Builing, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on Thursday 29th May, 2025 held a press conference to update members of the Media on the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Medical Drone Programme, and the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and the Trauma, Injury, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). Also presented were updates on; Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts, Digital Supervision of Graduate Students, Inclusive e-Learning and Smart Classrooms, and Launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

The event held in the Senior Common Room, Main Building, was on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presided over by the Acting (Ag.) DVC AA and substantive Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. Presentations were made by Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu and Head of the Trauma, Injuries, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit, Dr. Fredrick Oporia. Dr. Jimmy Osuret and Dr. Esther Bayiga from TRIAD supplemented Dr. Oporia’s presentation. In attendance were; the Director for ICT Support (DICTS)-Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Deputy Chief – Public Relations-Ms. Betty Kyakuwa, Deputy Chief Security Officer-Mr. Musa Mulindwa and other university officials.

The proceedings of the Press Conference follow below;

Vice Chancellors’ Press Statement

Good morning colleagues, members of the press,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important media briefing, where we share compelling findings from two groundbreaking studies that reflect Makerere University‘s ongoing commitment to impactful research, innovation, and community transformation.

The first is a pioneering initiative led by the Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme. This project explores the use of drone technology to deliver lifesaving HIV medications and test samples to hard-to-reach populations, particularly in Kalangala District and the West Nile region. The study demonstrates how drones can overcome logistical barriers, reduce costs, and enhance access to critical healthcare in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities.

The second study is the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit here at Makerere University presents over two years of data on vehicle speed and helmet use in Kampala. It provides vital insights into the human behaviours and systemic gaps contributing to road traffic injuries and fatalities—particularly among vulnerable road users. The study also offers evidence-based recommendations for enforcement, planning, and public health messaging aimed at making Kampala’s roads safer for all.

We are proud to support this kind of research that not only advances knowledge but also drives tangible improvements in public health and safety.

Before I invite the researchers to present their findings, allow me to briefly highlight some transformative developments in the areas of academic registry and ICT advancement here at Makerere University:

  1. Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts:
    • Alumni can now certify their transcripts digitally through the Makerere Academic Records System (Mak-ARS https://makars.mak.ac.ug/), eliminating the need for physical visits. This user-friendly platform allows access from anywhere in the world, supported by comprehensive video tutorials and public communications.
  2. Digital Supervision of Graduate Students
    • We have introduced the Research Information Management System (Mak-RIMS), piloted at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, to streamline the supervision of Master’s and PhD research. This initiative enhances accountability, timely feedback, and is now being rolled out university-wide to improve graduation rates.
  3. Inclusive eLearning and Smart Classrooms
    • Through support from development partners and the Government of Uganda, we are establishing multimedia studios and smart classrooms across our colleges. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to produce professional, accessible learning content, including tools tailored for students with visual and auditory disabilities. This aligns with our goal of equitable, globally competitive education.
  4. Launch of the AI Laboratory at CoCIS:
    • The newly launched Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will spearhead the development of AI-enabled solutions tailored to Uganda’s socio-economic needs, including localized assistive eLearning tools and context-sensitive curriculum development.

These initiatives are part of our broader vision to transform Makerere University into a research-led, inclusive, and globally relevant institution.

Detailed Presentations

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Prof. Aina Visits Mak, Evaluates CECAP II Progress

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Prof. Omotade Akin Aina (Left) receives the Makerere Souvenir Book from Prof. Tonny Oyana as Prof. Julius Kikooma (2nd Right) and Mr. Charles Lwanga (Right) witness. Prof. Omotade Akin Aina-Carnegie Corporation of New York meeting to discuss progress of Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics, 23rd May 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Senior Program Director, Higher Education and Research in Africa, International Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Prof. Omotade Akin Aina on 23rd May 2025 visited Makerere University during his short trip to Kampala. Prof. Aina was received on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe by Prof. Tony Oyana, Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

During his visit, Prof. Aina met with the Project Implementation Committee, representatives from the Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase I Fellowship Cohort, and current Fellows of phase II. The meeting discussed the progress of CECAP II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics.

Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting. Prof. Omotade Akin Aina-Carnegie Corporation of New York meeting to discuss progress of Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics, 23rd May 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting.

CECAP II is being implemented by Makerere University in collaboration with four other Ugandan public universities, including; Busitema University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Project Principal Investigator was represented at the meeting by the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma.

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Directorate of Graduate Equips Schools and Colleges with Training in Philosophy of Methods

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By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University has equipped several Senior ranking lecturers with expert knowledge in a Training of Trainers’ workshop on “Philosophy of Methods”.

In his remarks at the opening of a 3-day training workshop at Level4 Conference Hall – Senate Building, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “The teaching of Philosophy of Methods gives all participants the fundamentals to extend knowledge to other learners, hence its importance in upholding the Makerere University values.”

Kikooma urged and challenged the participants to also attend and actively participate in the follow up of learners’ training of students, stating that the PhD students need support as the directorate continues to coordinate the curriculum of PhD by-research that was approved by the senate recently.

“To holistically implement the senate approved PhD curriculum, we are coordinating capacity building trainings of all stake holders in a structured approach with the different units of the University. Many more trainings including Training of Trainers in advanced research methods course are on the way.”

He further urged the participants to be intentional in their teaching profession and in whatever they were doing, adding “Apart from focusing on practices as teachers and researchers, we can engage in wider philosophical debates in our research areas so that we are relevant in the society and in the empowerment of PhD research students.”

 The participants for the Philosophy of Methods training were from College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University Business School among others.

During the same training, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya stressed the need to train senior lecturers in the Philosophy of Methods, saying, “The biggest connection is that societal problems require concrete research to find solutions. Our challenge in Africa is that we employ a short barrow approach to find solutions to problems. This cannot work. We need consistent researchers to solve problems. Lasting solutions to societal issues can only be got through training such as Philosophy of Methods, where researchers come up with new models for societal solutions.”

Prof. Julius Kikooma pose for a photo with participants and facilitators.

Dr. Kanakulya said that Makerere University remains the biggest research University in Africa and philosophy of Methods helps to come up with good research tools that produce good research outputs. “Research has shown that the higher the number of PhD researchers in any given country, the higher the levels of development of that country e.g. the USA, China etc., adding that research is not limited to only medicinal or agricultural related issues.”

He said philosophy of methods, encourages philosophical creativity in research, “It is meant to bring out philosophical generation of concepts, theories and ideas. It is meant to encourage students to question the existing philosophical assumptions and status quo in a given field of knowledge such that new philosophical concepts are created.”

 For successful rollout of government programs like the National Development Plan 4, Dr. Kanakulya said that Philosophy of Methods training needs to be integrated into such systems. “Philosophy of Methods focuses on ethical thinking aspects. For example, for a better rollout of the Parish Development Model, we need implementers to be ethical.” He added.

 Prof. Sulait Tumwiine, the associate Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at MUBS said, “This is a discussion where new ideas are shared to guide and gauge applicability in the current knowledge diversity coupled with lots of technological development including Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT.”

He added, “As professors of Universities, we need to understand how we leverage on what comes up so that it does not take our space, but also appreciate how we can support growth of knowledge. The Philosophy of Methods training is the answer.”

 Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo highlighted that Philosophy uses more of the critical mind than Science. He added that philosophy is more of speculation of the mind.

“Sustainability of philosophy Education encourages us to continue training. Philosophy being the oldest discipline retained special status in the academia as a pinnacle of pursuit of knowledge. All disciplines have major elements of philosophy citing examples in the philosophy of Mathematics and Physics.

Dr. Spire added, “If you do not understand philosophy, you cannot deeply investigate anything because philosophy is the reality of understanding everything. Philosophy is the basis of understanding what knowledge is and how it is arrived at.”

Also participating in the workshop was Prof. Joseph Ntaayi from MUBS, in his remarks he said PhD students need the philosophy of methods training to understand how to best to create knowledge. He added that ontological and epistemological questions that lead to good research design methods can only be answered by this training.

Dr. Robert Kakuru, a Lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said that the Philosophy of Methods training is needed by every graduate student as well as supervisors to critically determine the choice of methods to use in academic research. For example, “If one wants to use a questionnaire as an interview approach, one should understand, why that approach and yet without this training, the why cannot be answered.” He added.

The Philosophy of Methods training was organized by Directorate of Graduate Training with funding support from the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).

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