The African Union (AU) Member States in 2013 crafted an African driven vision, Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, to define how the African continent should look in the next 50 years based on the pillars of wealth generation, regional integration, and attainment of a peaceful society, all driven by Africans. In 2015, the United Nations Member States unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development that balances the dimensions of economic, social, and environmental development, underpinned by good governance. These two agendas include specific sets of objectives, with Agenda 2063 having 20 goals with 174 targets, and 2030 Agenda 17 goals with 169 corresponding targets. The adoption of these instruments by African governments committed them to act together towards achieving their goals. The need for more and better evidence from research and evaluation of development programs has never been more crucial as Africa directs its efforts towards accomplishing its commitment in this regard.
Conference Theme
The Evidence to Action 2020 Conference theme is premised on the understating that evidence-based research and evaluation findings exist that have huge potential for positively impacting Africa’s policy decision-making and action to drive the realization of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda goals. The conference theme has sub-themes that highlight the key issues of focus:
Sub-themes
Agriculture and food systems in sub-Saharan Africa
Climate change, Environment, and Natural Resources Management
Innovative finance, insurance, credit and savings for smallholders
Gender and Youth
Evidence synthesis and impact evaluation for policy-making
Knowledge brokering and knowledge translation
Participants
The conference participants will be drawn from a diverse range of stakeholders working across Africa in research and evaluation. They include:
Relevant government ministries
Universities
Civil society
Policy-makers and practitioners
National and international research organizations
Development agencies and partners
Private sector organizations
Media
Conference Organizing Committee
The conference is convened by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development; Africa Centre for Systematic Review and Knowledge of Makerere University, Uganda; and Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Market, Risk and Resilience of the University of California at Davis, in conjunction with the Office of the Prime Minister’s Monitoring and Evaluation Commission of Uganda; Campbell Collaboration; Agricultural Technology Adoption Initiative; Innovation for Poverty Action; and United States International University-Africa, Kenya.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.