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Mak 70th Grad PhD Citations Session 1, Part 2

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College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)

 

NNAMUYOMBA Proscovia (Ms)

Biokinetics and modelling of pollutant accumulation in Cat fish (Clarias casonii) and Silver fish (Rastreneobola argentea) from selected aquatic ecosystems in Uganda

Ms. NNAMUYOMBA Proscovia’s study was purposely to examine the levels of pollutants (heavy metals and DDT residues) in the two fish species and to develop a model for predicting heavy metal accumulation in Cat Fish living in contaminated environments. The current experimental methods used to determine pollutant levels are laborious and expensive, which makes it hard to generate data whenever need arises. The research established that biokinetic modelling provides an alternative cost effective method of determining pollutant levels in fish living in polluted aquatic ecosystems. The model can be used to estimate long-term metal accumulation in environmental risk assessments. This study was funded by ADB and Gulu University, and was supervised by Prof. Jolocam Mbabazi and Assoc. Prof. Muhammad Ntale.

 

UWIMBABAZI Moreen (Ms)

Influence of fruit seasonality on macronutrient and energy intake and its significance on reproduction in female chimpanzees

Ms. UWIMBABAZI Moreen examined how diet-quality in terms of macronutrient content relates to the timing of reproductive events in female chimpanzees of Kibale National Park in Uganda. She found that female chimpanzees ingested more carbohydrates and lipids and reduced their foraging costs during preferred fruit abundant periods. However, they maintained stable energy intake despite the variations in diet quality through feeding behavior modifications and as such were able to breed throughout the year. The findings highlight the relevance of different food tree species in natural forest ecosystems and their significance in maintaining wild populations of chimpanzees, a specie which is threatened by forest degradation in Uganda. This study was funded by Kibale Chimpanzee Project, and was supervised by Prof. Richard Wrangham, Prof. Jessica Rothman, Assoc. Prof. Gilbert Basuta and Prof. Mnason Tweheyo.

 

WOKIYI Dennis

Solutions to Ill-posed Cauchy problem for a non-linear heat equation.,

Mr Wokiyi’s study focused on estimating the temperature distribution below the earth's surface using temperature and heat-flux measurements on the earth's surface. The study enhanced the understanding of how temperature governs a variety of the geological processes such as; formation of magmas, minerals, fossil fuels and deformation of rocks. The candidate demonstrated that the problem is uniquely solvable under a suitable choice of function spaces and showed that numerical solutions were consistent with the existing theoretical proofs. The study was funded by International Science programme – Sweden, Makerere Staff development and Eastern Africa Universities Mathematics Programme (EAUMP). Mr Wokiyi was supervised by Prof. Vladimir Kozlov and Prof. Fredrik Berntsson from Linkoping University-Sweden, Prof. John Mango and Dr. Godwin Kakuba from Makerere University.

 

College of Education and External Studies (CEES)

 

ATWEBEMBEIRE Juliet (Ms)

Management practices and quality of teaching and research in private chartered universities in Uganda 

Ms. ATWEBEMBEIRE Juliet examined the influence of management practices which included, staff participation, performance monitoring and staff development on quality of teaching and research in four private chartered universities in Uganda. Results demonstrated a significant contribution of staff development and staff participation on quality of teaching and research. There was no sufficient evidence to show that performance monitoring influences quality of teaching and research. The study recommended the development of more user-friendly methods of performance monitoring, giving of constructive feedback and rewarding staff basing on performance reviews. A model of shared governance was suggested for effective management of these universities. The study was funded by Uganda Management Institute, and supervised by Prof. John. Chrysostom  Musaazi and Assoc. Prof. Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu.

 

AYEBARE Justin (Ms)

Internationalization of higher education and the global citizenship of graduate students at Makerere University

Ms. AYEBARE Justin investigated the effect of internationalization of higher education on the global citizenship of graduate students at Makerere University. This was due to the seemingly low levels of global citizenship amongst university graduates in the country. Using the sequential explanatory research design, the study revealed that the internationalization of academic staff, curriculum, and the student community have significant positive effect on the global citizenship of graduate students. These findings reinforced the belief that the more internationalized a university is, the more likely its graduate students would become global citizens. This study presents to university managers aspects of internationalization that greatly impinge on the global citizenship of graduate students; thus, calls for significant efforts to internationalize these, and other aspects of university operations. This study was self-funded and, and was supervised by Dr. David Onen and Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine.

 

KAAHWA Yuda Taddeo

Equity implications of the district quota and disabled students’ scholarships in public universities in Uganda

Mr. KAAHWA Yuda Taddeo investigated how the district quota system and disabled students’ scheme were ensuring equity at both opportunity and process of university education for the intended beneficiaries. Findings revealed that majority of students on district quota system come from low socio-economic status families, the district quota system is gender equitable, there is numerical geographical equity on district quota system; but there is geographical inequity on disabled students’ scheme. The study recommends that for students to qualify for district quota system, they should have studied both primary and secondary school in that district. The percentage of district quota should be increased from 25% to 50% of government scholarships, urban districts should be excluded from district quota, and government should establish information support services for disabled students. The study was funded by Makerere University Staff Development and was supervised by Prof. Anthony Mugagga Muwagga and Assoc. Prof. Betty Ezati.

 

LUNYOLO Olive (Ms)

Adapting Leech’s model to explore predictors of successful doctoral student completion in Makerere University

Ms. LUNYOLO Olive explored the predictors of successful doctoral student completion (SDSC) in Makerere University. She operationalized SDSC as readiness to teach at university level, creativity, and readiness to conduct research and publish. The study isolated motivation, thinking style, self-efficacy; curriculum and standards of the program of study; the supervisor and other faculty; and the culture of the college on graduate education as predictors of SDSC. SDSC is important to the student, the university and the labour market, thus stakeholders concerned with doctoral students’ issues in Makerere University should put in place strategies that enhance predictors of SDSC. The study was self-sponsored, and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Fred Edwardus Bakkabulindi and Dr. Hilary Mukwenda Tusiime.

 

SSALI Kizza Francis

Determinants of academic staff retention in Makerere and Kyambogo Universities

Mr. SSALI Kizza Francis investigated the determinants of academic staff retention in Makerere and Kyambogo Universities. This was due to the persistent low levels of academic staff retention reported in the two universities in recent times. Using the descriptive cross-sectional survey design, gender, terms of work and work life balance were found to enhance the retention of academic staff more than their marital status, age, work experience, and interpersonal relationships. Therefore, it was concluded that certain factors were more critical than others in determining the retention of academic staff. It was, thus, recommended that the management of the two universities should engender policies that can improve the terms of work and promote optimal work-life balance amongst academic staff. The study was self-sponsored and was supervised by Dr. David Onen and Dr. Genza Gyaviira Musoke.

 

Please click the links below to navigate to the PhD Citations for the respective Sessions.

< Director’s Message | Session 1: Part1 : Part2 : Part3 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 >

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Mark Wamai

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Undergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027

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Students in discussion groups at Freedom Square.

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists of candidates admitted under the Talented Sports Men & Women, Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2026/27 Academic Year including appeals and remarked cases.

Other admission lists released include A-Level Applicants with Ugandan and those with Foreign Qualifications, Diploma in Performing Arts, Mature-Age Entry and Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL Batch 2) for the Academic Year 2026/2027 under self sponsorship.

The cut-off points points can be accessed by following the link: https://mak.ac.ug/study-mak/cut-points

Kindly follow the links below to access the lists:-

Update 3rd July 2026

International & East African Applicants

Mop-up Lists

Mak Editor

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Makerere Launches Strategic Plan 2030, Aligns with Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Agenda

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Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University has officially launched its Strategic Plan 2025-2030, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities.

The launch brought together senior government officials, university leadership, and development planners, including the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, and a representative from the National Planning Authority (NPA), alongside the University Vice Chancellor.

Hon. Henry Musasizi unveils the Makerere University Strategic Plan (2025-2030). Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Henry Musasizi unveils the Makerere University Strategic Plan (2025-2030).

A Vision Anchored in National Transformation

Speaking at the launch, the Vice Chancellor underscored the University’s ambition to significantly expand graduate training and strengthen its contribution to national development. He noted that the institution is targeting a return to pre-COVID enrolment levels and a substantial increase in postgraduate numbers by 2030, with a focus on producing highly skilled graduates, innovators, and researchers.

He emphasized that the Strategic Plan positions the University as a key driver of Uganda’s transformation through knowledge generation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aligned with national priorities.

“The staffing distribution is shown here. Under the approved establishment, we intended to have 419 Professors, but we currently have only 75. We planned for 473 Associate Professors, but currently have only 144. This clearly demonstrates that we still have considerable room for growth in strengthening our academic staff profile,” the VC said.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

The VC appreciated researchers and research centres, that continue to attract substantial research funding. He highlighted the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and the Makerere University Walter Reed Project which attracted approximately US$70 million in international research funding into Uganda.

“When you combine the grants won by all our researchers through competitive international funding, the total exceeds US$200 million,” he said.

In her remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, described the Strategic Plan as more than an institutional roadmap, calling it “a public covenant with the people of Uganda.”

She noted that the Plan marks “the launch of Makerere University’s next chapter,” adding that decisions taken over the next five years will shape not only the future of the institution, but also Uganda’s development trajectory through graduates, research, innovations, and leadership.

Dr. Lorna Magara. Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Lorna Magara.

Dr. Magara emphasized Makerere’s unique national role as Uganda’s premier public university, entrusted with public resources and public confidence.

“Every investment made in Makerere must produce measurable value for the people of Uganda,” she said, underscoring the need for accountability, integrity, and impact.

Ambitious Targets for Transformation

The Council Chairperson and the Vice chancellor outlined bold performance targets under the Strategic Plan, including doubling postgraduate enrolment, increasing STEM enrolment from 30% to 55%, improving PhD completion rates from 10% to 35%, and more than doubling peer-reviewed research output, alongside a significant rise in patents and innovations.

Dr. Magara stressed that these targets are not aspirations alone but binding commitments against which institutional performance will be measured.

Hon. Henry Musasizi (3rd R) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2rd L) display an autographed dummy of the signed Strategic Plan as L-R: Hon. Kadondi Gracious, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Rt. Hon. Daniel Kidega, Dr. Lorna Magara, H.E. Mubiru John Bosco and Prof. Sarah Ssali witness. Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Henry Musasizi (3rd R) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2rd L) display an autographed dummy of the signed Strategic Plan as L-R: Hon. Kadondi Gracious, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Rt. Hon. Daniel Kidega, Dr. Lorna Magara, H.E. Mubiru John Bosco and Prof. Sarah Ssali witness.

“Ambition is precisely what this moment demands. A strategic plan is not measured by the elegance of its language, but by the lives it transforms,” she said.

Call for Stronger Governance and Legal Reform

Dr. Magara also highlighted the need for reform of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Cap. 262, noting that the current legal framework has not kept pace with the evolving realities of university governance and innovation.

She called on Government and Parliament to support a timely review of the Act to enable universities to better optimise knowledge systems, productive assets, and innovation capacity in support of national development.

Government Endorsement and Strategic Alignment

Hon. Henry Musasizi commended the University for developing a forward-looking Strategic Plan aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which serves as the foundation for the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.

He explained that Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy from about USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion requires accelerated growth driven by productivity gains, innovation, and strong human capital development.

Hon. Henry Musasizi. Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Henry Musasizi.

“Universities are central actors in national transformation. They are engines of knowledge creation, innovation, and human capital development,” he said.

The Minister stressed that government priorities include strengthening research, promoting industrialization, and ensuring that knowledge generated in universities is translated into practical solutions that support economic growth. He further highlighted the importance of accountability, efficiency, and value for money in public investments in higher education.

Universities as Drivers of the Tenfold Growth Strategy

In his presentation, the Senior Planner at the National Planning Authority, Samuel Kasule, emphasized that the Strategic Plan is firmly anchored in Uganda’s comprehensive development framework under Vision 2040 and NDP IV.

He noted that the Tenfold Growth Strategy seeks to accelerate Uganda’s economic growth into double-digit territory, enabling the country to achieve structural transformation and reach upper middle-income status.

Mr. Samuel Kasule. Official launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, 2nd July 2026, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Samuel Kasule.

Kasule underscored that universities play a critical role in this transformation through labour productivity, research, and innovation. He pointed out that priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, minerals, oil and gas, and ICT depend heavily on skilled graduates and strong research ecosystems.

He also highlighted the importance of competency-based education, alignment of academic programmes with national human resource needs, and strengthening postgraduate training and research outputs.

A Shared Commitment to Transformation

Across all speeches, a strong message emerged: universities are central to Uganda’s development agenda and must evolve into research-intensive institutions that directly contribute to economic transformation.

The Strategic Plan 2025-2030 was widely commended for its focus on innovation, industry collaboration, digital transformation, and the commercialization of research outputs.

Government leaders reaffirmed continued support for higher education institutions through research funding, innovation ecosystems, and strengthened university–industry partnerships.

Conclusion

The launch of the Strategic Plan 2030 signals a renewed commitment to positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development journey. With strong alignment to national priorities, the Plan is expected to accelerate research, innovation, and skills development necessary for achieving Uganda’s long-term economic ambitions. The Strategic Plan may be accessed at: https://mak.ac.ug/about/strategic-plan

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Press Statement: Makerere University Launches Ambitious Strategic Plan 2026–2030

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Launch of the Makerere University Strategic Plan (2025-2030), 2nd July 2026. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Visionary Blueprint to Drive Excellence, Innovation, and National Development.

Kampala, Uganda – July 2, 2026. — Makerere University today officially launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, outlining a bold roadmap for academic excellence, research innovation, and transformative impact on Uganda and the region. The high-profile launch event, held at Makerere University Main Campus, brought together government leaders, university stakeholders, development partners, and academia.

The Chief Guest, Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, presided over the official launch. In his presentation, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas highlighted the University’s past achievements and the new Plan’s strategic vision. “This Strategic Plan builds on our rich legacy while positioning Makerere University as a leader in addressing contemporary challenges through cutting-edge research, quality education, and innovation,” he stated.

The Plan was developed through an inclusive process led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, with input from across the University community. It aligns closely with national development priorities, as affirmed by Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority.

University Council Chairperson Dr Lorna Magara emphasised the Council’s oversight role and commitment: “The University Council is fully committed to providing the strategic leadership and oversight necessary for the successful implementation of this Plan. It will strengthen Makerere’s role as a driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and ensure we remain a beacon of excellence in higher education across Africa.”

Development partners, Vice Chancellors from other public universities, college principals, deans, professors, and student representatives attended the event, underscoring broad stakeholder support.

Key Pillars of the Strategic Plan 2026–2030 include enhancing excellence in teaching and learning, advancing research and innovation, strengthening infrastructure and sustainability, promoting inclusivity, and deepening engagement with industry and government. Following the formal proceedings, guests participated in a networking breakfast and media engagement session.

Additional Quotes:

Makerere University remains Uganda’s flagship institution. This Strategic Plan will further harness our intellectual capital to contribute meaningfully to the National Development Plan and Vision 2040.” — Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

We are excited to embark on this new strategic journey. With the support of our dedicated staff, students, alumni, and partners, we will achieve even greater heights in the next five years.” — Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University

About Makerere University

Makerere University is Uganda’s oldest and largest public university, established in 1922. It is a world-class institution recognised for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and cross-disciplinary innovation. With over 35,000 students and a strong alumni network, Makerere continues to shape leaders and solutions for Africa and beyond.

For more information, contact:

Ms. Eunice Rukundo, Deputy Chief, Public Relations

Makerere University

Email: inquiries@mak.ac.ug | Tel: +256-414-531202

Website: www.mak.ac.ug

The full Strategic Plan document may be accessed at the link below.
https://mak.ac.ug/about/strategic-plan

END

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