Repositioning RUFORUM to adapt to the changing landscape and to cope up with global funding melt-down
It is now six months since the early cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported in China. The global infections have reached over eight million, over 450,000 deaths and are still rising. Measures taken by governments at national and regional level have had a knock on effect on the global economy with permeating effects to local and household level. The world’s topmost economies such as the US, China, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and many others have taken a significant hit and are at the verge of unprecedented recessions. This has caused significant disruptions in Oversees Development Assistance that these countries have often provided to developing States as reprioritisation is judiciously implemented.
Development work in most parts of the world including Africa is primarily funded through the Oversees Development Assistance and by philanthropists who in many ways derive their contributions through national budgets and the functioning markets and viability of their enterprises. COVID-19 is creating clogs into revenue streams for both governments as well as private sector individuals and yet at the same time, governments in nearly all countries are making considerable investments at country level to respond to the COVID-19 situation. Accordingly, reprioritization have been undertaken.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2026/2027.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
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.