General
EfD-Mak Holds Policy Dialogue on L. Victoria’s Hydrology, Water Quality and Livelihoods
Environmental economists from the Environment for Development initiative (EfD-Mak) Centre on 26th August 2020 held a policy dialogue with Jinja District Local Government officials on the theme, “Lake Victoria’s Hydrology, Water Quality and livelihoods”.
The workshop held at the Jinja District Council Hall attracted about 40 participants including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Chairperson Local Council Five (LCV), District Natural Resources’ Officers, officials from the Environmental Police Unit, Civil Society Organizations and the Private sector among others.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss and brainstorm on the status of the environment more especially the rising water levels on Lake Victoria and the rivers within the district, challenges faced in the management of the natural resources and identify possible solutions to mitigate environmental degradation.
In his welcome remarks, the LCV Chairman Titus Kisambira said Jinja as an industrial district and city has had a number of environmental challenges with most of the industrialists allocated land tittles near the lake and investors encroaching on more land in the wetlands leading to adverse effects.
The Chairman said, the construction of industries in the wetlands and near the lake has affected the environmental pattern and water runways leading to overflooding and floating islands during heavy rainfall.
Mr. Kisambira reported that the district council took a decision and wrote to all industrialists asking them to vacate land allocated in the wetland. .
“The challenge was with us also, some of the industrialists would run to politicians to help them get titles but we have taken a firm decision as council and instructed the technical team like the land officers to prepare land titles that were acquired in the wetlands and those near the lake for cancelling immediately and all constructions made in the wetlands be destroyed to save the environment,
At times we are let down by the technical people in terms of implementation but for us as a council we took it as a decision that whatever was done in the wetland is reversed. We have a lot of gazzetted land which is not near the lake in Budondo, Mafubira, Busedde and Butagaya and we have advised industrialist to come and we give them land elsewhere so that they do not take away the factories but also conserve the environment”, Mr. Kisambira stated.
While opening the dialogue, the Acting RDC Lt. Alfred Musoke acknowledged that local governments were partly to blame for environmental destruction in the district..
“There are many factories near the lake now swallowed by the lake and they were constructed after acquiring the land titles yet the policy is clear that no one should get a land title in the swampy area. So people got the land titles fraudulently and the government should come in and cancel the titles because they are destroying the environmental pattern.
All districts have environmental officers and before any construction is made, there is an environmental impact assessment report. So we wonder how those reports read because if they were done properly they would not be approved.
We should revise everything and see that the environment is protected. Very many houses in the islands have been swallowed by water. Recently the President came here because of the large floating islands had been broken up and disintegrated by people and when they moved, they entered our turbines leading the entire country to experience a total blackout when the President was expected to address the nation on the COVID-19”, Lt. Musoke reported.
As a district, the RDC said environmental officers have been sensitized on their roles and the need to enforce the law.
He said recently, environmental police did patrols on landing sites where soil had been dumped and ordered perpetrators to remove the soils as they block the movement of water.
He called upon participants to openly come up to condemn environmental degraders to protect the environment.
As head of security in the district, he condemned acts of security (UPDF and police) being used to protect destroyers of the environment saying, his office was open to receive reports of such acts for immediate intervention.
Delivering the Keynote address, the Senior Environment Officer, Jinja district Mr. Maganda Moses appreciated Makerere University for this initiative saying, it was the first of its kind in Jinja that revives and brings to light a sector that is still struggling in the country in terms of budgeting and whose impact trickles down to the Local Governments and Lower Local Governments.
Mr. Maganda commended the selection of participants for the meeting on grounds that it speaks volumes on how important they are in contributing towards the existing policies on Environment and Natural Resources in the country.
Maganda said Uganda is endowed with Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake and the second largest in the world by surface area measuring 68,800km2, River Nile, the longest river in the world and one of the 7 wonders of the world stretching 6,650km crossing 10 countries, streams, wetlands, a beautiful landscape with Mountains, undulating hills and valleys, Minerals in different parts of the country, the oil in the Albertine region, a rich biodiversity, and a favourable climate with an annual temp. of 26 degrees Celsius.
The environmental Officer noted that Uganda has the best policies but the problem is the implementation. He called for the strengthening the institutional capacity to implement the RIO conventions, focusing on the three conventions, UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCCD.
“Kenya is a step ahead in implementing the three conventions, for instance being largely a desert, Kenya is shifting from the use of biomass as a source of energy and has subsidized on the costs of natural gas so that it’s affordable to all. They have also considered importing timber from neighboring countries and keeping their biomass intact.
In Kenya, the Law banning Kaveera was enacted in 2017 following a benchmark trip made by Kenya to Uganda a year before. We enacted a law on the ban of kaveera in 2009, and ever since we have been in battles with different stakeholders on the implementation of the ban, to-date it has not come to pass. On the contrary, the Kenyans are jubilating having succeeded with the ban in a space of 2 years. The manufacturers of kaveera from Kenya were actually warmly welcomed in Uganda.
But we know how much damage kaveera can has cause on our water bodies, we know tonnes of kaveera are always harvested from Nakivuubo channel and other water channels on a daily basis and all this most likely ends up in the Lake.
In Kenya, the law on protection of wetlands, riverbanks, Lakeshores, is enforced to the dot. Most of their wetlands are intact, illegal structures on the river banks have been demolished and re-planning of such areas has taken root.” Mr. Musoke stated
He told participants that as they focus on the day’s theme, they should also focus on what their contributions have been towards the existing policies on Natural Resources, how far they have been successful, where they have failed as Government, including other stakeholders such as CSOs, Academia etc , and the possible proposals for Review where necessary.
Mr. Maganda reported that this year’s theme for celebrating World Environment Day was ‘Time for Nature, with a focus on its role in providing the essential infrastructure that supports life on Earth and human development‘, that was celebrated on the 5th of June 2020 in Colombia.
He said Uganda adopted the theme ‘Nature is speaking, Listen’, and because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, on the 5th June, 2020 an online discussion was held to celebrate the day, where the focus was on the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable, all coming from nature.
He reckoned that there would not be any other better description of the recent events that have devastated nature and humanity and threatened the livelihoods of millions of people dependent directly and indirectly on Lake Victoria than the theme itself.
The environmental officer said the volume of water in Lake Victoria has risen before and available data shows that the ever highest recorded increase was 2.5m between 1960 and 1964 though the impact to livelihoods was not as significant as it is today.
The rains that started on the 1st October 2019 he said, surpassed the last ever recorded increase and consistently went up from the 12m to the current highest level of 13.32m as of 30th April 2020.
“Of course, we have seen glaring negative impacts of the rise on people’s livelihoods, settlements, animal habitats, water quality, among many others. The population explosion around the Lake Victoria basin largely accounts for this.
Today, there’s a high affinity for land along the buffer zone of Lake Victoria, there are; numerous ungazetted landing sites, unplanned settlements, industrial hubs, illegal farming activities, non-permitted recreation facilities, and unregulated sand mining activities.” He said.
Mr. Maganda attributed the rising water levels to two major causes;
He said Global Warming is the primary cause of the current water level rise (Extreme heat events experienced on earth as a result of the depletion of the ozone layer) while human activities like, charcoal burning, cutting down trees, pollution from industries, CFCs from old fridge’s, have contributed to an increase in the atmospheric concentrations of heat trapping gasses and caused the planet to warm by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The rising temperatures are warming the ocean waters, which in turn expand and cause global sea level rise.
Secondly, he said are the glaciers and ice caps that are shrinking at a faster rate in response to rising temperatures adding water to the world’s oceans and in turn other water bodies.
“So where we have no direct control over such significant causes; how can we best weigh the costs and risks of accommodating the impacts; retreating from them? Or are we instead trying to defend the properties and infrastructure with protective measures.
As a country, we have clear safeguards within the existing environmental legislation; The NEA 2019 is clear on protection of fragile areas. The National Environment (Wetlands, Riverbanks and Lakeshores management) Regulations 2000 provides for the buffering of our water bodies, lakes, 200m, rivers 100m, small rivers 30m, streams 10m. Therefore, to what extent have we referred to these regulations? He asked.
At a global scale. Maganda reported that rising waters have led to destructive and devastating effects on marine habitats, erosion, wetland flooding, and agricultural soil contamination. In Jinja and most of the neighboring districts he said, Islands have either been fully or partially submerged. e.g at the source of the Nile; Agricultural land and crops have been lost; Peoples settlements have been invaded with the rising waters and forced the affected communities to migrate.and; Factories like Sunbelt, Skyfat, LIU, Agromarines, Keswhala industries have all been flooded and are counting losses.
He further observed that Recreation facilities like Rumors, Sailing club have all been flooded; Landing sites and beaches have adversely been affected by the rising waters and it this is evident in Ripon village landing site, Masese Landing site, Wanyange and Wairaka landing sites. The beach in Wairaka is no more. In addition, the breeding ground for the aquatic life washed downstream. and lastly, we had Uganda’s Hydro-electricity production dam at Nalubaale suffering a technical set back when a big mass of land moved downstream and clogged the power system leading to a total power shutdown.
Highlighting on the challenges Mr. Maganda said first, there’s need to acknowledge the fact that there’s substantial damage that has been caused on the Natural Resources and not until when they realize the mistakes made over time as a country then shall we move forward.
He said that there is also need to acknowledge the fact that much as there are several challenges facing the environment and natural resource sector, several strides have been made but there are many gaps in the existing policies and legislation and emerging issues like oil and gas, and these have triggered new legislation in particular to address environmental concerns for example, Review of the NEMP, in 2019 after over 15 years in existence, Review of the NEA 1995, now the NEA 2019, Presentation of the National Climate Change Bill, 2019 and now before parliament, Review of the National Wetland Policy, 2018 in a bid to safeguard the wetland resources in the country and Review of a number of Regulations in the environment sector e,g the National Environmental Audit Regulations.
He proposed the need for strong policies that will ensure that value is attached to natural resources noting that many of fringe wetlands, forests, have no economic value attached to them and this has always made it hard to convince policy makers especially at local government level to preserve these resources in the face of structural development.
He also proposed the need to ensure total respect for the fragile areas especially the River banks, Lake shores, and forest reserves siting Section 56 of the NEA 2019 refers to declaration of Special Conservation Areas in the country. The Kalagala-Itanda Offset area in Butagaya and Budondo and Kalagala on the Western and Eastern banks respectively of the Nile happens to be the first area under the Act to be declared a SCA and many more areas to be declared as so and exclusively be conserved.
The environmental officer further recommended the need to ensure strong co-ordination with other MDAs so that Environmental Concerns are clearly addressed e.g, titling of fragile areas like wetlands as purely a coordination gap with the different MDAs.
He also expressed the need to cover the gap that exists on how to prevent conversion of forest land or wetlands on private land and that anybody who owns land that has such a resource should be bound to exclusively protect it and not to convert it.
Mr. Maganda also noted that there is lack a clear and direct fund in Local governments to exclusively protect water bodies and yet local governments play a pertinent role in supervision and monitoring of compliance by the adjacent communities. He reported that LVEMP as a running project for the management of Lake Victoria and the Nile Basin Initiative that has always focused on the Nile River at policy level have played a role in empowering LLGS hence LGs need to be directly supported financially with a special fund to protect these resources.
Physical planning, he said, remains an important pillar in planning, gazetting, managing and conserving fragile areas and green spaces. The physical planning Act 2019 emphasizes taking into consideration the Environmental concerns/aspects when drawing Physical plans of particular areas. By strengthening physical planning, he noted it is possible get rid of the development scenario the country is currently embroiled in where it’s a developer to decide where to put up an industry as opposed to government planning for industrial parks or industrial hubs.
He also proposed the need to highlight and strengthen the polluter pays principle so that a developer who pollutes is responsible for paying a fee to government commensurate to the amount of pollution they have introduced into the environment. This he said is still very weak and needs to be re-emphasized.
Last but not least, the officer said there should be a deliberate mechanism at Local Government level where strict data capture, monitoring, supervision and reporting is continuously done on the activities taking place around Lake Victoria.
Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof Edward Bbaale said the EfD initiative is a global network of environmental economics research centre with 15 centres across the world in Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Sweden, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, USA and Vietnam coordinated by the EfD Secretariat, a special Unit at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Prof. Bbaale told participants that the EfD invests in policy interaction not dissemination, Creates interfaces, targets national and Local Government policy level and invests in professional staff development.
On the day’s policy interaction and the theme, Prof. Bbaale said the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is a critical transboundary natural resource, underpinning the economy and livelihoods of the population, acting as a waste repository and provides food, energy, irrigation, drinking water, tourism and transportation to the economy.
He said that being the source of the White Nile, the lake also supports the livelihoods of Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan and is the primary modulator of the region’s climate. Despite its importance, Prof. Bbaale said, the LVB has undergone intense environmental degradation for decades, resulting in significant ecological and economic challenges.
He highlighted that rapid population growth, agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrialization have mounted extreme pressure on the lake and its basin’s ecosystems leading to the degradation of lands, and the loss of wetlands and forests.
Speaking on human activities and degradation the director said insufficient monitoring and weak enforcement of regulations on illegal- and over-fishing activities have reduced fish stocks, which threaten crucial livelihoods and food security among others.
“Climate change has also affected the basin as temperatures have consistently increased between 0.1°C and 2.5°C, based on historical data from 1920 to 2013. The LVB and its inhabitants are vulnerable to the increasing effects of climate shocks, which would likely exacerbate its environmental problems.” Prof. Bbaale reported
He said, water levels in the Lake are influenced by direct rainfall over the lake, runoff from the basin, evaporation from the Lake, and outflows into the Nile, the latter of which is currently controlled by more than one hydropower dam.
The fish stocks according to Prof. Bbaale are threatened by climate change due to warmer waters and pollution induced changes in water quality while increased rainfall increases erosion due to the farming close to the shores and pollution, directly impact the lake’s water quality.
The changing temperatures according to the Director, introduce disease vectors and increase the risk of malaria and other vector-borne diseases for the basin’s human population and that during the period of late January 2020, the effect of Lake Victoria bursting its banks started to be felt with several landing sites and settlements damaged by floods.
This, the professor notedhas left almost half a million people homeless and property worth billions of money had been lost in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Prof. Bbaale attributed Lake Victoria’s Hydrology change to mainly three causes namely Climate change, lack of regional consensus on a well-coordinated policy of regulating Lake Victoria inflow and outflow and Lake Sedimentation due to catchment degradation and Buffer zone encroachment.
On livelihood impacts of changes in Lake Victoria Eco-system. Prof. Bbaale said there is declining fish biomass, catch and exports, impact on infrastructure especially the Hydropower generation, water transport and reduced business activity along the landing sites, poverty and unemployment plus high crime risks.
Report compiled by: Jane Anyango, Communication Officer, CAES
Education
Makerere Celebrates Prof. Mbazira’s Law Scholarship at His Inaugural Professorial Lecture and Book Launch
Makerere University lauded Professor Christopher Mbazira’s excellent contribution to the legal practice and academia during his inaugural professorial lecture and book launch organised through the School of Law. The celebration provided an opportunity to introspect on the topic of the day; exercise of judicial power for constitutional transformation in Uganda.
The lecture held on November 12, 2026 at Makerere Main Hall began on a lively note as Prof. Mbazira called out the traditional Makerere chant, “Emakerere Oye!” drawing an enthusiastic “Oye!” from the audience. It was a fitting start to a presentation he described as both a privilege and an honour.
Central Message of Prof. Mbazira’s Inaugural Lecture
In his presentation, Prof. Mbazira framed his central message to highlight that Judicial power remains one of the most important instruments for constitutional transformation, but its effectiveness depends on how it is exercised and whether its outcomes are respected.
Empahsising this, he drew on international scholarship to define judicial role. He referenced South African academic Prof. Bertus de Villiers, who guides that “the Judiciary can be an essential agent in the transformative process of a country. This is because the Judiciary can breathe life into the dry text of the constitution.”
Acknowledging that courts do not automatically become transformative simply because a constitution gives them extensive powers, Prof. Mbazira drew a sobering reality check regarding the limitations of the courts.
He warned that the Judiciary can of course be an instrument of oppression, and a defender of the status quo. Therefore, for the better, he recommended that the Judiciary be independent, courageous, principled, and responsive to the constitutional aspirations of the people. To the Executive and Legislature, he encouraged they recognise that constitutional limitations are not obstacles to governance but rather foundations to legitimate governance. He mobilised legal professionals, academicians, civil society to remain engaged in defending constitutionalism.
Professor’s inaugural lecture themed, “Uganda@64 and the Exercise of Judicial Power for Constitutional Transformation: Examining the Gains and the Lost Opportunities,” typically challenged the audience to rethink the role of the Judiciary.
Beyond his academic achievements, Prof. Mbazira made room to celebrate his family that has accompanied him on his journey. He invited his daughter, Ms. Christabella Mbazira, an aspiring lawyer, to address the gathering.
In her remarks, Christabella described her father as a role model, expressing admiration for his legal intellect and, with a touch of humour, the financial rewards of his profession.
A Tribute to Prof. Mbazira from Makerere University
Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Sarah Ssali, congratulated Prof. Mbazira on this achievement, describing it as not merely personal but institutional; a source of pride and a reflection of the scholarship and intellectual excellence that Makerere University continues to nurture.
Contextualising the Lecture, Prof. Ssali noted that it is always an opportunity to reflect on the academic journey of research, teaching, service, and contribution to society. She expressed confidence that this lecture on the role of courts in promoting constitutional transformation offers solutions to Uganda’s constitutional development and democratic future.
Prof Ssali, praised Prof. Mbazira for his mentorship contribution, noting that through his role at Makerere School of Law, he has groomed lawyers and legal scholars capable of critically using the law as an instrument of justice and social transformation.
The Acting Dean School of Law, Dr Zahara Nampewo described the inaugural professorial lecture as “one of the most significant academic traditions of any university,” noting it allows professors to “share the intellectual journey that has shaped their scholarship, to reflect on the contribution of their work to society, and to engage the wider public on issues of national importance.”
She emphasised that at the School of Law, constitutionalism is not an abstract academic concern. It is rather central to their mission as the leading institution of legal education, research and public engagement in Uganda. Exemplifying this, she referenced the 2016 amicus curiae brief submitted by nine law lecturers, including Professor Mbazira, which “established a progressive precedent for admission of amici curiae.”
Amici curiae are non-parties to a lawsuit such as experts, advocacy groups, organisations, or government officials who have a strong interest or specialised knowledge in the subject of the case.
Official Launch of Prof. Mbazira’s Book
Launching the book titled “Judicial Power, Politics and Constitutional Transformation in Uganda: Walking in and outside the Constitution”, Hon. Lady Justice Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda and former Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs and faculty at School of Law highlighted her long-standing relationship with Prof. Christopher Mbazira.
She acknowledged first encountering Mbazira as a student with “Law Intellect” and later as a colleague. She therefore expressed joy addressing him as Professor of Law now.
As the foreword author, she appreciated his book for its ability to help the Judiciary “reflect on their work, introspect and think, how we can do better.”
Further commending his role in critiquing the Judiciary, she emphasised the importance of authorship, referencing Albert Schweitzer to describe how authors “light the flame within” others.
On behalf of the University, Prof. Ssali said the book demonstrates how scholarship can interrogate institutions, challenge established thinking, and contribute to national and international debates.
Professor Mbazira’s Journey – Academic and Professional
Born in Jinja in the 1970s, at a time when the town was a thriving industrial centre, Prof. Mbazira would later build a distinguished career in legal academia. His journey into teaching was not initially planned. After graduating from the Law Development Centre in 2001, he had hoped to establish himself in commercial legal practice.
However, his career took a different turn when he was appointed a teaching assistant at Makerere University‘s then Faculty of Law where he serves to date and has grown to a senior position.
His journey has since brought him into contact with generations of lawyers, judges, academics, students and policymakers, most of whom were present for his inaugural lecture.
The citation presented by Dr Zahara Nampewo, the Deputy Dean at School of Law detailed Professor Mbazira’s academic and professional journey as follows:
Education and Early Work
Born in 1975, he earned his LLB from Makerere in 1999, an LLM from the University of Pretoria in 2003, and a PhD from the University of the Western Cape in 2007. His doctoral thesis “set the course for a substantial body of scholarship on how constitutional and international human rights guarantees can be translated into effective remedies for people whose rights have been violated.”
Career at Makerere
He joined the faculty in 2001 and became a full professor in July 2020. He has served in various leadership roles, including Head of Department and Acting Principal.
Scholarship
His work centers on “economic, social, and cultural rights, constitutionalism, and democratic governance.” His publications include “Litigating Economic and Social Rights in South Africa” and “Budding Democracy or Judicialisation.”
Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC)
Since 2012, he has coordinated PILAC, which “helps advance a model of legal education that combines academic instruction with practical engagement in the justice needs of the communities.”
It was indeed a great day that honored not just the individual, but the ongoing struggle for a more just and accountable society in Uganda.
General
Advancing Makerere university’s Research Visibility and Impact: DRIP Spearheads Institutional ORCID Adoption
The Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP) has conducted a series of training sessions aimed at equipping graduate students, researchers, and research administrators with the knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively use the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID). These trainings are designed to strengthen researchers’ professional identities, enhance publication tracking, and improve the visibility and recognition of their research outputs.
On 11th November 2026, DRIP held an online engagement with Makerere Research Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). The engagement was attended by Grants Management Committee(GMC) and (Mak-RIF) Secretariat staff. The GMC members in attendance included Chairperson Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Vice Chairperson Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Dr. Dorothy Okello, Dr. Stephen Wandera and Prof. Robert Wamala. The members were sensitized on individual and institutional registration, and benefits of ORCID adoption in research administration.
The successful drive towards strengthening ORCID adoption at Makerere University has greatly benefited from the strategic leadership and unwavering commitment of Prof. Sarah Sali, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs). Her leadership and institutional support have been instrumental in positioning ORCID adoption as a strategic University priority, recognising its importance in strengthening researcher identification, enhancing the global visibility of Makerere’s research outputs, improving publication tracking and reinforcing institutional research management. Her commitment to embedding ORCID within the University’s academic and research systems provides an important foundation for building a more visible, accountable and globally connected research community. DRIP sincerely appreciates her visionary leadership and continued support towards advancing Makerere University’s research excellence and impact.
Prof. Sarah Sali, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs
The Deputy Coordinator (Mak-RIF) Mrs. Phoebe Lutaaya Kamya speaking on behalf of Mak-RIF secretariat commended DRIP – the organisers of the online workshop and pledged support to the integration of ORCID in Mak-RIF’s processes. Mrs. Kamya looked forward to the training which was to help improve their operations in administering the research fund. Other members of MaKRIF secretariat included Evelyne Nyachwo, Grace Ruto, Gloria Nagayi, Karungi Jancita, Julie Nabirye, among others.
In his remarks, the Director Quality Assurance Officer, Dr. Cyprian Misinde acknowledged the importance of ORCID and called on all researchers to embrace the tool for their own benefit and to improve the evaluation of institutional research ranking.
“Being a research-led institution, we are ranked, and our ranking is partly based on research we do. So, if our research is not known, then we lose credit and it affects our position internationally”, Dr. Misinde noted.
Mr. Brian Masiga speaking on behalf of the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU), praised Prof. Robert Wamala and his team at DRIP for their efforts towards improving the research ranking of Makerere University most especially in research outputs.
“ORCID is one of those digital identifiers that is sort of like a CV that tracks the work that has been done by the researcher over a period of time”, Mr. Masiga said.
During the training, Prof. Robert Wamala presented a report which was previously discussed by the University Central Management on research outputs. The report showed that there were only 24% of academic staff who could be identified by ORCID. It is by this revelation that management resolved to sensitise staff and also to ensure that all systems at Makerere University are integrated with ORCID. Prof. Wamala assured the participants that the requirement for ORCID registration in research management was to ease Mak-RIF’s work in tracking research identities against outputs.
“The biggest importance towards the University is that Makerere University can actually validate and affiliate that a professor who claims to come from Makerere University is actually from Makerere University. Once these ORCIDs are generated and given through a hub and managed by Mak-RIF, Mak-RIF doesn’t have to ask people for their publications, these publications are automatically fetched into a hub”, Prof. Robert Wamala reported.
Mr. Tamale Fredrick from RENU delivered a presentation on the registration, use and benefits of ORCID to both the institution and the researcher. He explained that it was possible to integrate research done before a researcher obtained the ORCID other than creating a new identity profile.
Mr. Juma Katongole, Deputy Chief – Directorate of ICT Support(DICTS) reported that they had commenced the integration of ORCID in some of the institutional information systems like Research Information Management System (RIMS)- a systems that tracks postgraduate students’ research, and Makerere University Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS) which manages university staff records.
Mr. Katongole commended the partnership with RENU that working the Uganda OSHID Consortium they were able to integrate the systems and report appropriately.
“Because this information belongs to a staff or a researcher, they can always revoke permission. However, we follow data acquisition guidelines. Our role is to connect and synchronize. Since there is a bit of change management required, I’m happy that Prof. Wamala has gone around orienting stakeholders”, remarked Mr. Katongole.
Dr. Stephen Wandera contributing to the discussion, was glad for university’s resolve to leverage the ORCID platform for research identification and journaling.
“We could encourage staff members to make sure that they have created the profiles with the Web of Science, and many others. We need to make sure that as scientists, we are located and positioned properly in the global space”, Dr Steven Wandera reported.
Dr. Wandera said that through ORCID registration, the university will have better rankings and the contribution as individual researchers and institutions are properly allocated.
Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, supplementing on the engagement, commended the initiative and the benefits towards the university and the research ecosystem.
Dr. Zahara Nampewo and others confirmed having an ORCID but may require further assistance on how to tag their publications. Similar to the views of other GMC members, Dr. Zahara Nampewo and Dr. Dorothy Okello thanked DRIP for organizing the training.
In his closing remarks, Chairperson MAKRIF, Professor Fred Massagazi Masaazi said that the topical conversation on the development was very important and the benefits of ORCID was evident and relevant to MAKRIF. He was delighted that Mak-RIF staff had joined the discussion. Prof. Masagazi Masaazi pledged support of MAKRIF in advancing Makerere University’s Research Visibility and Impact by championing ORCID adoption through MAKRIF.
Through the Food for Peace initiative, the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport is stepping in to provide meals to over 200 students who struggle to afford meals, especially during the examination period.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, hundreds of students drop out of Makerere University every year due to financial constraints. The reality for those who remain is sometimes tougher, for they struggle to survive.
While addressing the media at a press conference held at Makerere University on November 11, 2026, Prof. Nawangwe shared that many of these students skip meals, a situation that is more frequent during examination periods, when the demands on the brain are much greater.
The University is aware of these reports and in his capacity as Vice Chancellor and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, Prof. Nawangwe lobbied the club to take action.
In preparation for intervention, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted, inviting students to come forward and share their needs. About 200 students responded to the survey, indicating a pressing need for food support during examinations.
The findings birthed a legacy project code-named “Food for Peace”, targeting, for a start, 206 students at Makerere University, regardless of their sponsorship status, as long as they participated in the survey. The Makerere Rotary Peace Centre spearheaded the survey that helped identify the first cohort of those who will benefit from the initiative and guided that for a dignified experience, the beneficially names will remain in records and not disclosed.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasised that the core mission of this cause is to move a step up with efforts to ensure that economically challenged students at Makerere University do not go a day without a meal. Service providers in halls of residence will serve these students their food following a meal card.
Seeding the Project
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, the Rotary International Director (RID) for Zone 22, while launching the initiative shared his personal experience of facing challenges that almost barred him from attaining an education. He believes education is an equaliser in life and that everyone should have a chance to access it. He reminded those in the room that they were all there together because of education.
RID Katongole highlighted the importance of supporting people, both as individuals and as a community. He expressed pride in being part of the launch of this project because it is going to create many more “Emmanuel Katongoles” through the provision of a meal.
He therefore personally committed to contribute UGX 5 million annually, starting this year, for as long as he lives or until the project ends. He also pledged to remain part of the initiative.
92nd Guild Commends “Service above Self”
From a student perspective, H.E. Kadondi Gracious, the 92nd Makerere University Guild President, delivered a vote of thanks for the initiative. She noted that students had petitioned Parliament to intervene in the matter and were happy that solutions had started coming from within.
She framed this move not just as charity, but as a way of restoring hope to Makerereans who were unsure of how they were going to maneuver through the examination period without lunch. In appreciation, the Guild President commended Rotary for showing what it actually means to offer service above self.
Sustainability of the “Food for Peace” Project
Although the immediate intervention is directed towards fewer than 300 students who expressed a need for assistance, the vision is bigger and looking beyond the current examination season.
As the Rotary Passport Club President noted, “if this is going to be sustainable, it means we are going to look out for partners to create a fund to sustain this initiative.”
The Club Secretary, Associate Professor Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, explained that as a legacy project, it is not a one-off. She committed the services of the Passport Club to supporting this legacy project.
Grounding the sustainability move, RID Emmanuel Katongole set the pace by pledging annual cash and in-kind support towards providing consistent assistance to students throughout subsequent academic periods, thereby enhancing student welfare over the long term.
Dr Winfred Kabumbuli, the Makerere University Dean of Students, showed strong support for the initiative since it falls within the core mission of student welfare. She appreciated the collaboration with Makerere University Passport Club, and pledged to rally internal support.
Call to Action and Contributions
The Club President made an appeal to alumni, corporate bodies, development partners, individuals and institutions of goodwill to join this noble cause, intended to ensure that students not only remain at the University but also attain their full potential on a full stomach.
The immediate fundraising goal is UGX 10 million shillings, which is required to implement the initial phase of food support. Excess amounts collected will facilitate an increase in the number of beneficiaries and after the examination period, add to the kitty for subsequent semesters.
Support and assistance can come in the form of financial contributions, food supplies, corporate partnerships, logistical support, and long-term partnerships.
To facilitate support, the club, through its Charter Treasurer (C.T.), Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta, shared the banking details as follows
Bank: NCBA Uganda Limited.
Account Name: Rotary Club of Makerere Passport
Uganda Shillings (UGX) Account Number: 228129200017
United States Dollar (USD) Account Number: 228129200027
SWIFT Code: CBAFUGKA
Bank Code: 36
Students were left with one final promise from the Chief Guest, “you are no longer alone. You have a partner in the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport.”
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