Uganda is taking the precautionary approach while responding to the novel COVID-19 pandemic. This means extensive social distancing, locking of public spaces and public transport and allowing only essential services to continue. These measures are likely to have unprecedented impact on the livelihood of Ugandans. There is an urgent need for a domestic understanding of how this pandemic plays out in Uganda’s unique settings. Therefore, proposals are invited for short-term projects that identify key challenges and possible interventions arising during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as outlined but not limited to the following themes:
Targeted themes for interventional research and innovation:
Strengthening surveillance and contact tracing
Clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
Approaches in promoting uptake of behavioural measures for prevention of COVID-19
Agriculture and livestock production and productivity
Addressing psychosocial impact of COVID-19 (e.g. stigmatisation, sexual and gender-based violence-SGBV)
Livelihoods resilience, socio-economic impacts and income transfers
Health system issues and health shocks from other high burden diseases
Education and ICT (including Data mining and modelling)
Justice, security and human rights (including employee retention and employability)
Low-cost appropriate technologies in response to COVID-19 (e.g. Engineering and manufacturing)
Innovations in preventive health care against COVID-19
The proposal should:
Not be under any funding currently.
Have short term delivery results (3-6 months).
Fit in a budget of Ugandan Shillings up to 75,000,000/=.
Clearly state what immediate potential effect will be achieved.
Who can participate?
This call is open to all Makerere University staff (i.e. academic and non-academic), and the proposal can be with or without collaborators. All Makerere University staff are eligible to apply for this special COVID-19 response call as principal investigators (PIs), including those with active RIF awards. Interested non-Makerere-based participants should apply through a Makerere-based PI.
Deadline
The deadline to receive proposals is Tuesday 12th May 2020 at 11:59PM East African Time.
How to Submit Applications
To submit your application, create an account at https://rif.mak.ac.ug/portal and login to manage your applications. ONLY applications received via the portal will be accepted.
More Information
For any questions, please write to info at) rif.mak.ac.ug.
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Prof. Mary Okwakol (Left) and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya listen to feedback from leaders.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
Prof. Mary Okwakol.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
Part of the audience that attended the validation meeting.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.