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The Impact of Swedish Research Collaboration with Makerere University, Uganda (2000-2020)

Published

5 years ago

February 21, 2020

Mark Wamai

The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the report shares how Swedish support deepened research at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

The Makerere University research capacity building program supported by Sida started in 2000 running three phases to 2015 followed by the ongoing phase (Phase IV, 2015-2020). This funding has targeted the creation of research capacity and environment for Makerere University through training at Masters, PhDs and Post Doctorate levels; joint research activities among collaborating partners in Uganda and Sweden; Support to institutional reforms; infrastructural support: (ICTs and Library); Iganga-Mayuge Demographic Surveillance Site; Gender Mainstreaming and Quality Assurance.

Tremendous achievements have been registered involving the creation of an environment conducive to high-quality relevant research. Over 300 PhDs (over 30% of all the current PhDs at the university) have been trained to completion since the start of the program in 2000. The current phase has targeted training another 125 PhDs including 90 from participating public universities in Uganda (Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology – MUST, Gulu University and Busitema University). Curriculum for taught PhD has been developed in Mathematics at Makerere University and 20 students are registered on this curriculum. Other taught PhD curriculum has been supported in three colleges at Makerere University and all participating public universities. More than 200 supervisors at Makerere University and participating public universities have undergone training in quality supervision.

The publication profile of the university has greatly improved during the period of support from 72 in 2001 to over 382 in 2011 publications per year (Bunting et al. 2014). The current output is at more than 1000 publications as per citation indices. Most of the research considered in international citation databases is of very high impact. In addition to improved publication output, the PhD output has greatly improved from less than 20 PhDs graduating per year in 2000 to more than 70 PhDs graduating each year as of 2018. Of most significance in relation to knowledge generation is the tremendous networks that got ignited for the institution. The university is among the top 100 universities in the world in terms of connectivity with other top institutions, according to scimago (an agency that aggregates science evaluation resources).

In terms of equity, the Sida support targeted gender mainstreaming in the institution. This support to gender has moved the terrain to near level in students’ enrolment and generated some significant variation in staff ranks. In addition, the support to gender has spurred interest from other agencies like the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the MasterCard Foundation who have offered scholarships targeting female students.

Infrastructural support to the University Library, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Iganga Mayuge Demographic Surveillance Site have generated multiplicative benefits that will make it easy for future increments in the intervention. Some of the infrastructure and equipment to this end is available for use by other people inclined to the purpose of these establishments. For instance the university library is the National Referral Library and National Legal Repository.

The collegiate system at Makerere University was developed as a result of a reform process that was supported in the third phase of the Sida funding. The reforms in Research, Administration and Finance saw the development of the University’s Organizational Manual as well her Research Manual. These documents guide all officers of the university in ensuring the provision of quality services to her stakeholders especially students at the university. The quality assurance regime at the university has been greatly impacted with the institutionalization of mechanisms to support compliance to national standards as well international practices. Such mechanisms include self-assessment, tracer studies, tracking of graduate students and student evaluation of courses and teaching. Support in the current phase has seen the inauguration of the University Press with 6 inaugural books in 2019.

The Sida support has generated benefits that, in the university’s consideration, are beyond what could be expected in such a small span of time. The base for illuminating on this view is from the aspirations that university had in the year 2000 at a time when it was developing its strategic plan for the period 2000-2005. An assessment of the prevailing situation at the time of planning clearly indicated the state of affairs that university wanted to overcome; especially the state of research and that of infrastructure.

However, despite the tremendous achievements outlined in this report, there are still some areas that call for more work, and therefore it is still a work in progress. Of significance are: delays in completion rates of PhD training, an imbalance in funding between the humanities and science based disciplines, inadequate incentives for research and the infancy of partnerships in participating public universities. The inclusion of other participating public universities came towards the second half of the period of review, with inadequate intensity of activities. The collaboration with these universities mainly centred around PhD training, and yet insufficient capacity has been built in these universities as the project winds up. This then raises a level of uncertainty on how these universities will continue on their own in strengthening this training.

That notwithstanding, the impact of Sida is perhaps best told by some of the beneficiaries in explaining how this support has transformed them at both a personal and institutional level. Some of these beneficiaries have gone on to hold leadership positions such as becoming Vice Chancellors; Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe – Makerere University, Prof. Celestino Obua – MUST, Prof. Eli Katunguka – Kyambogo University and Prof. Paul Waako – Busitema University. This partnership successfully brought these Vice Chancellors and consequently their universities to work together towards enhancing research capacity in Uganda. This publication brings you their voices. In addition are the voices of other beneficiaries including College Principals and Heads of Department.

Please Click Here for the full report

General

Makerere University Fees Waiver for 40 First Year Female Students 2025/2026

Published

8 hours ago

July 14, 2025

Mak Editor

Makerere University Tuition and Functional Fees Waiver is a Scholarship Scheme that was initiated by Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and was approved by the Makerere University Council in December 2010. The Scheme supports bright female students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to access education at Makerere University. The University waives off tuition and functional fees for the duration of the study of the beneficiaries of the scheme. With effect from 2021/2022 academic year, the Scheme has offered waiver of tuition and functional fees for 40 female students joining the University who meet the criteria. All Programmes in the Colleges at Makerere University Main Campus and at Makerere University Jinja Campus are eligible for this Scholarship support. These scholarships are administered by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University. Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

ELIGIBILITY

Scholarship applicants should meet the following criteria:

Should be female of Ugandan Nationality
Should be a first-year student admitted at Makerere University Main Campus and Jinja Campus for the academic year 2025/2026 under the Direct Entry Scheme.
Should be from a genuinely disadvantaged socio-economic background.
Those not admitted on Uganda Government sponsorship to any public university.
Those who do not hold any other scholarship e.g. District Scholarship
Must be willing to participate in a selection process as shall be determined by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Scholarship Committee.

THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM SUBMITTED SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETE ONCE IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENTS;

Copies of ‘O’ and ‘A’ level academic documents.
One Passport size photograph.
A Copy of the applicant’s birth certificate.
Incase of deceased parent (s), a copy of death certificate(s)
A hand drawn physical map of an applicant’s home/residence with clear directions of how to get to that home or residence from the nearest main road (indicate approximate distances in kilometres).
A copy of the admission letter to Makerere University.

The scholarship covers only tuition and functional fees. The applicant must be able to pay for their feeding, accommodation and other learning necessities required by the University for the duration of the study period.

Interested and eligible applicants can pick application forms free of charge from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Senate Building, Level 4, Room 402 OR download a copy from the Makerere University Website: https://mak.ac.ug/

You can also access more information on our X handle @MakerereGMD

For more information or inquiries, please contact us using the following contacts:

Office Mobile Numbers: +256702960616 / +256781866728
Email Address: director.gendermainstreaming@mak.ac.ug

The Application deadline is Monday, 8^th August 2025 at 5:00pm.

Euzobia Mugisha Baine (PhD)
Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer

Makerere-GMD-Fees-Waiver-Scholarship-2025-2026_Download

Makerere-GMD-Fees-Waiver-Scholarship-2025-2026-Application-Form Download

General

Korean Language Courses-Semester

Published

10 hours ago

July 14, 2025

Mak Editor

Students walk into the Arts Quadrangle, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Centre for Language and Communication Services (CLCS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Makerere University in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) invite applications for Korean Language Classes for students and members of the public.

Courses by Level

Beginner
Elementary
Intermediate
Online
TOPIK

Instructor: Wongo Yoon wongoyoon@gmail.com

Registration is open, you can register to join the class at any time.

Registration:

To register, call the Centre for Language and Communication Services (CLCS): +256 756 12 8046 / +256 775 424704

Fee: UGX 80,000 a semester

For more information Whatsapp: +256 790 505658 (Yoon) / +256 757 710511 (Mariam)

See downloads for Class Timetable

The Korean Corner is located on the 2^nd floor of the Main Library at Makerere University.

Makerere-CHUSS-CLCS-KOICA-Korean-Language-Classes-for-Semester-Poster Download

General

NCBA Commits UGX 1.45 Billion to Makerere Marathon, Pledges Five-Year Support for Inclusive Education

Published

5 days ago

July 9, 2025

Mak Editor

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) flanked by Dr. Maggie Kigozi (R) and Mr. Mark Muyobo (L) on 9th July 2025 at Makerere University. Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa.

_{By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy}

Makerere University has officially unveiled NCBA Bank Uganda as the platinum sponsor for the 2025 Makerere University Marathon (#MakRun2025), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable student support. The partnership was formally announced during a colourful event held at the university, attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund, and NCBA Bank Uganda CEO, Mr. Mark Muyobo.

NCBA Bank Uganda’s UGX 1.45 billion sponsorship over the next five years is the largest corporate contribution to the Makerere Marathon to date. It underscores the bank’s commitment to supporting quality education, community development, and equity. Mr. Muyobo said that, “We are driven by the desire to leave every community better than we found it”. He added that the goal is to empower disadvantaged students to live without limitations, describing this initiative as a bold stride toward establishing a world-class international marathon.

Left to Right: Mr. Mark Muyobo, Dr. Maggie Kigozi and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pose for a photo at the Main Building entrance. Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa. — ***Left to Right: Mr. Mark Muyobo, Dr. Maggie Kigozi and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pose for a photo at the Main Building entrance.***

“This is more than just a sponsorship, it is a strategic partnership built on shared values,” Dr. Kigozi remarked. “With this support, we are positioned to establish a fully equipped Disability Support Unit and a sustainable pool of funds to assist economically disadvantaged students.”

The marathon, slated under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future,” seeks to unify students, alumni, corporate entities, and professional athletes in pursuit of a common cause. At its core, the MakRun2025 promotes active lifestyles, social inclusion, and a sense of communal responsibility.

“It’s not just a race,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized. “It is a movement to break barriers, change lives, and build a resilient, inclusive university.”

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe poses with the #MakRun2025 photo frame. Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa. — ***Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe poses with the #MakRun2025 photo frame.***

The marathon’s broader impact includes fundraising for students living with disabilities and those facing financial hardship, contributing directly to the university’s Endowment Fund.

A major highlight of the event is the introduction of a full 42.2-kilometer marathon—bringing international standards to the annual run. Organizers have promised a professional, accredited experience with traffic-free routes and ample support for runners.

“This edition will elevate the MakRun into a world-class event,” said Mr. Muyobo. “We are proud to support Makerere University in realizing its dream of a globally recognized marathon that reflects Uganda’s commitment to education and inclusivity.”

Beyond the race itself, the event will feature a vibrant line-up of activities, including music, drama, and games for all age groups. It is designed to foster a festival-like atmosphere that welcomes every member of the community.

Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa. — ***Officials pose with runners in the Freedom Square.***

Organizers and university leaders have extended an open invitation to students, staff, alumni, corporate partners, and Kampala residents to participate, cheer, or donate to the cause.

“Every step taken is a step towards hope for a student,” Dr. Kigozi stated. “Together, we are building a Makerere that cares, includes, and uplifts.”

The partnership is expected to significantly enhance the university’s ability to support underprivileged students and improve campus infrastructure for students with disabilities. It also sets the tone for future collaborations that align with the values of compassion, excellence, and innovation. The fifth edition of the MakRun is scheduled to take place on August 17^th, 2025.

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