Makerere University is living up to the slogan ‘We Build for the Future’. Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Grants Management Committee (GMC) under the leadership of Prof. William Bazeyo has continued to ensure that research and innovations blossom in the institution and related institutions of higher learning. It is such efforts to contribute to development and improved livelihoods that have kept Makerere University performing well across East Africa and Africa. Makerere University was recently ranked Africa’s fifth-best university and the best in East Africa, according to the latest World University rankings by Times Higher Education-September 5th, 2020. ‘We are working harder and determined to become the best University in Africa and the globe at large. It is possible if we all work harder and aim at being a CONTRIBUTION to the communities in which we live and serve’ said Prof. Bazeyo upon receipt of the news that Makerere University is ranked 5th best in Africa. 

Makerere University’s management is forever grateful to the Government of the Republic of Uganda for supporting research and innovations at the institution. This grant has also enabled Makerere University to further contribute to the growth and development of other Universities and affiliated institutions of higher learning including Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Makerere University Business School among others.  

In the new Financial Year 2020/2021, the Government of the Republic of Uganda allocated an additional Uganda Shillings 30 billion to Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). To promptly respond to the government’s gesture, the University Management developed a Framework for Management of the Government Research and Innovation Funds. A multi-sectoral Grants Management Committee earlier appointed by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor after wide consultations with the Colleges is also fully functional executing set Terms of Reference.

In preparation to put out a call for proposals under the RIF Round 2 opportunity, the GMC conducted a comprehensive stakeholder consultation to identify thematic areas of focus for the grant. These consultations included meetings with representatives from key government sectors, semi-autonomous government agencies, the private-for-profit sector and civil society. See details shared and accessible on https://rif.mak.ac.ug/rif-holds-consultative-workshop-to-inform-research-agenda/ and https://rif.mak.ac.ug/mak-rif-holds-stakeholders-consultative-workshop-with-private-sector-development-partners/ The GMC triangulated this information with that from the draft National Development Plan III, Makerere University Strategic Plan and Research Agenda and the thematic outputs from the RIF Round 1 proposals.  To this effect, the Mak-RIF Round 2, Track 1 has awarded 160 researchers and innovators out of 386 competitive applications). These awardees will implement their projects and share actionable research products and approaches in reference to the earlier developed National Research and Innovation Agenda. The main objective of Mak-RIF is to support research and innovation initiatives that contribute to better delivery of National Development initiatives in all sectors critical to Uganda’s economy.

List of awarded projects may be accessed here; https://rif.mak.ac.ug/list-of-rif2-awardees/

Article by Harriet Adong, Mak-RIF Communications Officer