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Mak 70th Grad PhD Citations Session 4

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College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)

 

BAKYAYITA Grace Kizito

Batch Sorption Studies of Aqueous Cadmium and Lead from contaminated Water onto Selected Biosorbents

Mr. Bakyayita Grace Kizito’s study focussed on assessment of groundwater and surface water from Lake Victoria basin, Uganda and batch remediation of cadmium and lead from contaminated water using biosorbents. He used the Biomet tool and potential risks to toxicity effects of Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ in the surface water and groundwater studied. He characterized selected biosorbents and he used models to deduce optimal operating conditions, interionic competition effects, uptake kinetics and mechanisms.  He concluded that both untreated and treated biosorbents from Albizia coriaria, Coffea canephora, Cyperus papyrus, Erythrina abyssinica and Musa spp were potential alternative materials for uptake of trace metals from contaminated water. This knowledge will benefit the design of fixed bed reactors for biosorption of trace metals from contaminated water. He recommends detailed risk assessment of water sources and pilot applications for biosorbents. This study was funded by Sida-Makerere Bilateral Research Corporation (Phase 3) and was supervised by Associate Professor Ann-Catrine Norrström and Dr. Robinah Kulabako N. 

 

MENYA Emmanuel

Preparation and Evaluation of Activated Carbons from Rice Husks in Uganda for Removal of Humic Acid from Water

Mr. Menya Emmanuel developed an optimum route for valorization of rice husks into activated carbon to address the disposal problem of rice husks, as well as to provide a sustainable solution for removal of humic acid from water. His study revealed that upland rice husk varieties are more suitable precursors for activated carbon than lowland varieties. By alkaline pretreatment of the rice husks, followed by phosphoric acid (30wt%) impregnation, and activation at 400 oC for 30 min, activated carbons with a carbon yield and total specific surface area as high as 46.9% and 2258.4 m2g-1, respectively, were obtained. The study further revealed that, humic acid removal efficiency and maximum adsorption capacity of 69.23% and 27.2 mgg-1, respectively, can be obtained by employing the rice husk-derived activated carbons in water treatment. The adsorptive properties, and consequently the performance of the resultant activated carbons were comparable to those of the activated carbons found on the market. The findings of this study pave way for utilizing rice husks in Uganda as activated carbon precursors, avoiding the environmental problems associated with the open dumping and/or burning of rice husks, while at the same time providing a sustainable solution for water treatment. This study was funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, and was supervised by Dr. Peter W. Olupot, Dr. Henning Storz, and Dr. Michael Lubwama.

 

KEKIMURI Joan (Ms)

Embedded meanings of traditional art forms in cultural practices of Baganda

Ms. KEKIMURI Joan’s study focused on the meanings embedded in traditional art forms used in Baganda cultural practices. Art forms play a pivotal role in strengthening community connections yet modern technological advances threaten their existence. Using ethnography and benchmarking the theory of culture and behavior, Kekimuri through visual narratives established how traditional art forms used in Baganda cultural practices developed, examined their embedded meanings, and the influence of modernization on these practices. The findings revealed that the embedded meanings in cultural practices enabled communities to function, that modernization hampers the use of cultural practices, and communities are forsaking the practices for modern ideologies. This study recommended support of indigenous practices for cultural identity and posterity. The study was funded by Kyambogo University, and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule and Prof. Baguma Peter.

 

College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)

 

JOCK BANY MADING Samuel

The role of religion in conflict and peace in Sudan: a historical perspective (1989-2011)

Mr. JOCK BANY MADING Samuel’s research examined the religious conflict, which had divided the Sudan citizens between Muslims and non-Muslims, Arab and non-Arabs and subsequently resulted in division of the largest country in Africa into Sudan and South Sudan. The islamization program which became a rigid ideology in the Sudanese leadership caused sanction against the country, regionally and internationally, and made a great economic setback. The study found fear that if the Sudanese leadership continues with such an ideology, it may lead other parts that feel marginalized politically, economically and ethnically to continue demanding for similar criteria as the South. The research findings implore the Sudanese leadership to change the one-sided ideological program in order to reform the social integration and development. This study was self-funded, and was supervised by Dr. Catherine Jendia and Dr. Paddy Musana.

 

MUGAMBE Mpiima David

Gender relations in the access to and use of mobile phones and radios in agricultural production in Apac District, northern Uganda

Mr. MUGAMBE Mpiima David investigated the gender relations in the access to and use of mobile phones and radios in agricultural production in Apac District. Gender relations were found to mediate mobile phones and radios uptake. Farmers using agricultural information from these technologies experienced positive changes in gender power relations, gender roles, social status and incomes. The study recommended that technological interventions should be sensitive to interactions between men and women, and that agricultural extension officers should be sensitized on gender relations so that men and women can fully benefit from agricultural interventions. This study was funded by Makerere-Sida Bilateral Research Corporation, and was supervised by Dr. Henry Manyire, Assoc. Prof. Consolata Kabonesa and Dr. Margareta Espling.

 

NAJJEMBA Harriet (Ms)

Indigenous agricultural knowledge and food production in Uganda: Buganda region from 1860s to 1997

Ms. NAJJEMBA Harriet’s research analysed why some indigenous agricultural practices have become resilient and still inform crop production despite western scientific agricultural knowledge. She found that mulching reduces moisture loss, curbs weed growth and provides organic manure thus reducing effects of climate change. Intercropping, crop rotation, paspalum bunding, catch-pits, and fallowing maintain soil fertility. Select agricultural machinery aligned to tropics, topography and soil type enhances crop yields. The research established that these indigenous practices are still relevant and affordable, and NARO needs to deliberately encourage their use. This study was funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York through the NGAA Project and the African Humanities Programme (AHP), and was supervised by Dr. Simon Peter Rutabajuuka and Dr. Deo Katono Nzarwa.

 

NAKANGU Bugembe Barbara (Ms)

State Craft in the Natural Resources Management Structure of Uganda

Ms. NAKANGU Bugembe Barbara examined the historical and political circumstances in which the natural resources management structures were established. Nakangu situated the natural resource management within the political context of successive post-colonial regimes. Reforms in natural resource management link to the political orientation of various governments especially their ideas on the management of society. Nakangu showed why attempts at strengthening the resource management structures by the NRM government were unable to address the ecological challenges. Ecological disasters arose at moments when there was imbalance of power between the state or society. Conservation actors needed to re-establish the balance of power between the state and the society to address the declining ecological conditions. This study was funded by Norhed and Carnegie through Makerere Institute of Social Research, and was supervised by Dr. Lyn Ossome.

 

ODONGOH Stevens Aguto

Polluted boundaries, contested sociality: tracing the Acholi homestead after LRA war and displacement in northern Uganda

Mr. ODONGOH Stevens Aguto demonstrated an understanding of borders/boundaries beyond the usual territorial or geographical perspective. By exploring the return of displaced Acholi people to post-conflict Acholi sub-region in northern Uganda, he argued that: When the Acholi who were held captives by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), or were living in exile returned and society accepted them, in a sense, they were socially received but had to ritually or religiously cross different boundaries to regain belonging and sociality. Crossing such boundaries led to contestations of gender roles, identity and values. His analysis offers perspectives on resettling returnees, the human need for boundaries/borders during uncertainty and the capacity to cross them, and signifies how people draw boundaries or separate themselves in periods of uncertainty. This study was funded by NORHED under the Borderlands Dynamics Project of East Africa, and was supervised by Dr. Wotsuna Khamalwa and Dr. Andrew Ellias State.

 

OPESEN Chris Columbus

Trans-border cultural and reproductive health traditions: an ethnographic study of the Pokot female genital modifications at the Kenya-Uganda-Border

Mr. OPESEN Chris Columbus examined the lived experiences of women with trans-border cultural and reproductive health (CRH) traditions using female genital modifications (FGM) at the Pokot Kenya-Uganda border as his ethnographic case. Based on the inductive analysis he conducted, he observed that one’s experience with cultural and reproductive health traditions like FGM is an outcome of many factors including the nature of tradition undergone, the technology used, the skillfulness and experience of the surgeon. Notwithstanding, some exceptions, he argued that the life-long experiences of women that undergo extreme CRH traditions like FGM especially, infibulation, are synonymous with pain, violence and risk. To successfully eliminate FGM, he recommends supporting the current FGM-law enforcement with a soft approach targeting the software of this tradition using meaningful stakeholder engagements. This study was funded by the NORAD East African Borderlands Project, and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Stella Neema and Dr. Fred Henry Bateganya

 

WELDESENBET Netsanet Gebremichael (Ms)

Topographies of reminiscences: Asmara as historical representations and deliberations

Ms. WELDESENBET Netsanet Gebremichael examined “neither war nor peace” (1998-2016) moment of historico-political raptures between Eritrea and Ethiopia from reminisces of Asmara – the capital city of Eritrea from Ethiopia in what appears to be a moment of rift.  Foregrounding a context of non-movement, the dissertation asked: what happens to conventional historical methods in a moment of raptures? The dissertation opened methodological possibilities on how history could be done in moments of rift by mobilizing popular memory productions in form of oral–accounts with popular cultural productions such as autobiographies, memoirs, songs, novels and poetry. These reminiscing practices were conceptualized deliberations on popular political desires of the present. These accounts can further inform going peace-building efforts between the two countries. This study was funded by Carnegie through Makerere Institute of Social Research, and was supervised by Prof. Mahmood Mamdani.

 

School of Law

 

TUSASIRWE Benson

The judicial enforcement of the rights to freedom of political assembly and association in Uganda

Mr. TUSASIRWE Benson investigated the state of rights to freedom of political assembly and association in Uganda and the role that courts have played in their enforcement. The study found that although the concept of human rights has achieved reasonable normativity, on the ground the state of those rights remains precarious due the ideological character or content of the rights, and the political and socio-economic environment. While the courts of judicature have made bold decisions in defence of the rights, these have not gone far enough. It is contended that in the absence of a fundamental change in the political and socio-economic order, courts will not conceivably act as consistent guardians of the rights. The study was funded by Makerere University and SHUREA project, and was supervised by Frederick Jjuuko and Prof. Joe Oloka-Onyango.

 

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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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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