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Mak 70th Grad PhD Citations Session 2

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College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)

 

MANIRAGABA Fred

Determinants of quality of life of older persons in rural Uganda

Mr. Fred Maniragaba investigated the determinants of quality of life of older persons in rural Uganda. In this study, quality of life focused on physical health, intimacy, and social participation dimensions. The findings show that more than 3 in 10 older persons had low scores on social participation, intimacy and physical health. Overall, 4 in every 10 older persons had poor quality of life. The distribution of poor quality of life varied by sex, wealth status, region of residence, education, engagement in physical activity and HIV sero-status. The study recommended that older persons should be economically empowered, included in HIV prevention interventions such as safe sex education, embrace active ageing; and educated ones should be encouraged to participate in community social engagements. This study was funded by Makerere University and Consortium for Advanced Research and Training in Africa (CARTA). It was supervised by Dr. Betty Kwagala and Professor James Ntozi.

 

TURYAREEBA Dickson

The Augmented Solow Growth Model, Total Factor Productivity Growth and the Cross-Country Income Growth Disparities in Africa

Mr. Turyareeba Dickson’s study was purposely to make a scholarly contribution to the growth accounting debate on the relative importance of factor accumulation and total factor productivity growth in explaining cross-country differences in income growth in Africa. His study found that differences in both factor accumulation and total factor productivity growth can explain the cross-country differences in income growth in Africa. His study results however showed that differences in factor accumulation played a more important role than differences total factor productivity growth in explaining growth disparities in Africa and in the clusters. Mr. Turyareeba Dickson’s study revealed that to spur more economic growth in Africa, there is the need for governments to design policies that boost gross capital formation; earmark extra resources for human capital development and for increased investment in ICT infrastructure; create incentives for credit expansion to the private sector and devise stronger policies against inflation. To foster economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, results showed that governments need to increase investments in ICT infrastructure, implement outward-looking development strategies, expand credit to the private sector and implement population growth control measures. The study was self-funded and supervised by Associate Professors: Eseza Kateregga and Elia Hisali.

 

College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)

 

ADUWO Jennifer Rose (Ms)

A Machine Learning Model for Automatic Field Based Classification of Cassava Mosaic Disease and its Severity

Ms. ADUWO Jennifer Rose investigated how machine learning can be used for detection of cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and its severity using field based cassava leaf images. The study employed an experimental design. A total of 340 healthy and 313 CMD infected cassava leaf images were collected from National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Uganda for the experiments. The developed machine learning Artificial Neural Network model provided accuracy rate of 97.2% for CMD classification and 88% for CMD severity grading. Within the model, CMD classification including its severity could be implemented on a mobile phone. In terms of policy, NaCRRI could spearhead the development of a policy on integration of machine learning in CMD management and engagement of Agricultural Extension Workers to detect CMD and its severity using the developed model. This study was self-funded and supervised by Dr. Joyce Nakatumba Nabende and Dr. Ernest Mwebaze.

 

KABURU Dennis Mugambi

An adjustable usable security approach for a continuous user authentication scheme

Mr. KABURU Dennis research developed an adjustable usable security approach that enhances the alignment of security and usability attributes to achieve a better interaction in continuous user authentication schemes. He established that software developers have neglected the effect of the authentication approaches on the cognitive processes of a user, resulting into not user-friendly systems. Through experiments, the resultant approach showed a threshold that adjusts user interactions at different times and a technique that quantitatively recommends combinations that minimize the cognitive load and usability deficiency. Software developers can use this approach as a platform that enables their reasoning of how their use of authentication mechanisms affects end user efficiency and make refined decisions that improve usability of user interactions in a continuous authentication scheme. This study was funded by METEGA, and was supervised by Dr. Julianne Sansa–Otim and Dr. Tony Bulega.

 

MASABO Emmanuel

Integrated feature engineering approach for classification and detection of polymorphic malware using machine learning

Mr. MASABO Emmanuel’s research focused on the security of computer systems, by investigating the challenges related to the eradication of malware. The study showed that poor detection of current malware by existing technologies is due to polymorphism in today’s malware, which enables them to disguise themselves by creating infinite number of new variants of themselves in order to evade detection systems. This study developed a new machine learning approach to effectively address the aforementioned problem. The findings showed improved performance both in terms of classification and detection of polymorphic malware. This study was funded by Metega, and was supervised by Dr. Kyanda Swaib Kaawaase and Dr. Julianne Sansa Otim.

 

NAKIBUULE Rose (Ms)

Traffic flow speed and congestion monitoring in resource-constrained crowded cities

Ms. NAKIBUULE Rose's study was to develop a low cost collection tool and computer vision based computation models for monitoring traffic flow speed and congestion levels of unstructured traffic flow found in resource-constrained crowded cities. Current computer vision methods tailored for traffic flow speed and congestion monitoring are costly and computationally expensive.  The study revealed that by assembling a set of off-the-shelf hardware components and programming smartphone cameras as automatic image sensors reduce data acquisition costs by 80% as compared to conventional closed circuit televisions (CCTVs). The study developed a tool for real-time traffic flow monitoring and data acquisition. This study was funded by NUFFIC, DAAD, and College of Computing and Information Sciences, and was supervised by Dr. John Alexander Quinn, Dr. Ernest Mwebaze and Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende

 

NINA Olivia (Ms)

Indigenous knowledge utilization strategies for HIV prevention in Uganda: a study of secondary school adolescents, Kampala District

Ms. NINA Olivia investigated approaches for enhancing use of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in the context of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention among adolescents. Prevention programs that blended biomedical and IK were known to be more successful than those that did not. With increasing HIV infections among adolescents, promoting combination of approaches was critical to increasing access to accurate comprehensive information. However, existing national guidelines on use of IK were limited, fragmented and their implementation was not yet clear. The study revealed that the IK information being used contained misinformation. Ties between IK sources and adolescents were too weak to support IK use. The study recommended development of a specific national IK school health policy. Synergies between indigenous information sources and adolescents needed to be strengthened and documented IK integrated into existing HIV prevention information. This study was self-sponsored, and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga and Prof. Robert Ikoja-Odongo.

 

OMODA-ONYAIT Godfrey

A model for personalizing learning in an E-learning System

Mr. OMODA-ONYAIT Godfrey’s research investigated the requirements for personalizing learning in an e-learning system to address the issue of learner diversity and changing learner needs. A survey was conducted to gather requirements for the model using questionnaires and interviews. The findings were used to develop the model.  Model evaluation was done using experts, and prototyping; and the model was found suitable. The following factors were established for determining personalized learning: learner commitment; learner motivation; learner engagement; and learner experience. From a practical point of view, the results provided a generic model that can help practitioners and policy makers in personalizing and implementing learning in an e-learning system, hence addressing learner diversity and their changing needs.  This study was self-funded, and was supervised by Prof. Jude T. Lubega and Assoc. Prof. Gilbert Mayiga.

 

College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB)

 

YAJJ Nuol Aywel Madut 

Brucellosis at human-domestic animal interface in Greater Bahr el Ghazal States, South Sudan

Mr. YAJJ Nuol Aywel Madut assessed the prevalence of brucellosis among humans and domestic animals in pastoral settings in post-conflict Greater Bahr el Ghazal States, South Sudan. Brucellosis prevalence was high both in human and animals due to the lack of control measures and awareness and the disease was common among febrile patients attending outpatient department (OPD) in Wau Hospital. The consumption of infected animal products played a major role in transmission of brucellosis. Age, herd size, lactation, health status, hygroma and history of abortion were factors associated with the infection. There is need for mandatory routine testing for brucellosis among herders and other high-risk groups, and control should be accomplished at the animal level since people have a social and cultural tendency to consume raw animal products. This study was funded by NORHED and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. George William Nasinyama and Assoc. Prof. Clovice Kankya.

 

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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Call for Applications: Government Sponsorship 2026/27

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Makerere University -Main Building

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB Centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2026/2027 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information
System (ACMIS) from 15th October, 2025 to 31st December, 2025. The Public Universities include:
(a) Makerere University
(b) Makerere University Business School
(c) Mbarara University of Science and Technology
(d)Kyambogo University
(e) Gulu University
(f) Busitema University
(g) Muni University
(h) Kabale University
(i) Lira University
(j) Soroti University
(k) Mountains ofthe Moon University

NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.

Other Important documents:

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Business & Management

PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support

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Mak PIM COE Steering Committee

The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.

In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.

She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.

Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.

The PIM Steering Committee in a meeting held at Emin Pasha Hotel

She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.

The centre team presented the proposed  structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.

The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Strengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen

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Seated: Prof. Sarah Ssali (C), Dr. Dinie Bouwman (L) and Dr. Anita Veltmaat (R) with teams from Makerere University and the University of Groningen during the meeting on 7th October 2025. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.

The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor's Boardroom. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.

The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat.

However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.

The meeting in session. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The meeting in session.

The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.

The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama.

Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst.

The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.

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