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.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) interacts with members of the 2nd Mak-HUC.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
All applications must be submitted electronically via the Makerere University Electronic Human Resource Management System through the above link (ehrms). Applicants will be required to provide the necessary information on the ehrms and attach the following documents:
An application letter clearly stating the job applied for and duly signed by the applicant.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae. The curriculum must also state the names and addresses of at least three referees.
Copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
A minimum of three recommendation letters duly signed by the referees.
The application should be addressed to:
The Chief Human Resource Officer Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala