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 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.