The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management on 23^rd July 2026 hosted a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika. The visit follows the formation of the Grants Office under the newly opened MUST Research Institute. This delegation was therefore keen to benchmark Makerere University’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)’s experience as the office responsible for managing all MUST’s research and innovation funding takes shape.

Welcoming the delegation, most of whom are alumni of Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MUST on strides made in human capacity development throughout the 37 years of existence, particularly in the health sciences.

“We have collaborated in various areas, particularly in medicine – I see many of our researchers publishing together, and we have joint programmes, especially in HIV/AIDS research” the Vice Chancellor remarked, before adding “Our collaboration in medicine is very strong, and it would be good to expand this collaboration to other disciplines.”

Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that although this was a benchmarking visit, the learning process is two-way and as such, the team from Makerere is equally keen to learn from their MUST counterparts. “As a slightly smaller university, you may have more time to reflect on issues than we do,” he explained.

In her remarks, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Management for accepting to host the benchmarking delegation, noting that it was a homecoming visit for her and several colleagues. She equally acknowledged that collaborations in Medicine take the lion’s share of existing work between two intuitions.

“Our largest faculty, formerly the Faculty of Medicine, has recently been renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences to better reflect its broader mandate. However, our other faculties include: Faculty of Science, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (Engineering)” she explained.

She added that in 2026, MUST established the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, and is restructuring the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies to strengthen its focus as a science and technology university. Away from academia, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika shared that MUST’s hitherto semi-autonomous research centres had been brought under the umbrella of a Research Institute, “to provide a coordinated framework for research.”

They include the Centre of: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine; Innovation and Technology Transfer; Tropical Forest Conservation; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Entrepreneurship; and Public Policy and Economic Data.

Turning to the gist of the visit, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika noted that as MUST continues to restructure its units and grow it’s grants portfolio, tapping into Makerere University’s wealth of experience in attracting and managing funding from both the Government and development partners is inevitable.

“Makerere, as the leading university in the country, continues to support other universities, and we would like to benefit from that experience,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika remarked. “We hope to learn from both your achievements and your challenges so that we can improve our own systems” she concluded.

The meeting was attended by the Acting University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Research, Innovation and Partnerships-Prof. Robert Wamala, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head GAMSU- Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Member of Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Coordinator-Dr. Roy William Mayega and Advancement Office’s Mr. Vincent Lubega Nsamba.

The MUST delegation included; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Robert Bitariho, University Secretary-Mr. Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora, and Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Prinari Behangana. Others included Finance Manager-CPA Annah Atuhaire, MUST Research Institute Chief Research Officer-Assoc. Prof. Angella Musiimenta, Principal Legal Officer-Mr. Timothy Mugumya, Deputy Secretary (Planning)-Ms. Robinah Nakakeeto and Dean Faculty of Business and Management Sciences-Dr. John Baguma Kule.

By Murungi Gloria N.

Building a century of excellence, Makerere University Strategic Plan 2026-2030 lays a clear roadmap to strengthen research, innovation, transformative education as well as national and global development over the next five years.

On Thursday 2^nd July 2026, at Makerere Main Campus, the launching event gathered government leaders, development partners, university leaders and dignitaries such the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, representative of the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority as well as the University Vice Chancellor. Makerere launched its strategic plan under the theme; ‘Optimizing the University’s Research Potential for National and Global Transformation.’

Preparing the strategic plan

‘Preparing this plan has been a process,’ the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Herny Alinaitwe said. He emphasized that the strategic plan was developed through careful consultation, review and participation rather than being created in isolation. The previous Makerere University plan used to have long term of 10years. However, around 2019-2020 the National Planning Authority advised to adjust to the five years of National Development Plan (NDP IV) ensuring that the University contributes directly to the country’s development.

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe

Accelerating to national transformation

The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, began his speech by reaffirming University’s long-term vision. ‘Our vision is to be an outstanding leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development.’ He added the Makerere’s mission is to provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research and service responsive to dynamic national and global needs.

He emphasised that the new strategic plan is designed to transform Makerere into a research-led University and for this to happen we need to have more than 419 professors and 473 associate professors. Currently the university has 73 professors and 144 associate professors.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe

‘We are not removing undergraduate programmes but we want to reduce them gradually and increase graduate numbers because those are the ones going to do the innovations and transform the economy,’ continued Prof. Nawangwe. He stressed the postgraduate students play a crucial role in research and innovation and increasing postgraduates from 10% to 16.1% enrolment is therefore central to achieving the University’s vison of becoming a leading research institution.

He said, ‘Makerere University continues to contribute its fair share to transforming human capital in the country and economic development.’ He thanked and encouraged the government and other partners to further increase the goodwill towards the institution.

‘Today marks not the end of the process but the beginning of an even greater responsibility it’s successful implementation,’ noted the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara. reminded stakeholders that the launch is only the first step and its success will depend on faithful implementation.

She highlighted the central roles of higher education, research and innovation in Uganda’s economic transformation. ‘Let us therefore move with courage, lead with integrity, purse excellence without compromise and together we will build a much stronger Makerere for a stronger Uganda.’

 Transformation objectives

Prof. Nawangwe and the chairperson University Council Mrs. Lorna presented possible targets in the strategic plan, among them increasing PhD student enrolment from 15% to 35%, registered patents from 15 to 45, commercialised innovations from 25 to 65, STEM enrolment from 32% to 55%, postgraduate enrolment from 3700 to 7000 by 2030 and raise graduate employability from 45% to 65%within six months of graduation.

Mrs. Lorna Magara

Government commitment to the strategic plan

Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi launched the strategic plan 2025-2030 describing it as a timely and forward-looking roadmap that aligns with Uganda’s vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.

Hon. Henry Musasizi

‘This Strategic plan comes at an important time as the country works to grow its economy from about USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040.’

 The Chief Guest, Hon. Herny Musasizi noted that Uganda’s ambition to expand its economy from approximately USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040 will require sustained investment in research, innovation, industrialisation and human capital development, with universities playing a central role in achieving these aspirations.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue working with Makerere University to build a growing income, industrialised and knowledge driven economy while stressing accountability, innovation and the need to apply research in solving Uganda’s development hardships. He also commended Makerere for aligning its strategic priorities with national development goals, explaining that such alignment would facilitate government support and resource allocation through the national budgeting process.

Leading to national economic transformation through universities

Reflecting on the central role of higher education in Uganda’s economic transformation, Samuel Kasule, the Senior Planner for Education and Skills, National Planning Authority appreciated Makerere roles.

Samuel Kasule

‘At the cornerstone of increased labour productivity is the role of universities especially in supporting the high impact sectors identified in the tenfold growth strategy,’ Mr. Kasule remarked.

He elaborated that universities are expected to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to drive innovation across sectors such as minerals, oil and gas, agro-industrialisation, tourism and agriculture. He also argued the by producing highly skilled human capital as well as fostering innovation institutions like Makerere University will play a pivotal role in increasing labour production and accelerate economic growth achieving Uganda’s ambition of becoming a USD500 billion from USD50 billion under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

Conclusion

Guided by its strategies direction of excellence, accountability, professionalism, integrity and respect together with inclusivity, the University has reinforced its commitment to advancing quality education, research and innovation. The launch of strategic plan 2025-2030 reflects this commitment by positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development and transformation, consistent with national priorities.

_{By Ochwo Gerald}

The Office of the Academic Registrar on Tuesday 21^st July, 2026, hosted a delegation from Gulu University on a benchmarking visit aimed at learning from Makerere University‘s long-standing experience in the administration and management of Mature Age Entry Examinations.

The Gulu University delegation was led by Dr. Helen Christine Amongin and included: Dr. Simon Peter Alarakol, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Emmanuel Okurut, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Law; and Mr. Paul Oboke, Principal Assistant Academic Registrar (Admissions).

The delegation was received on behalf of the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, by Mr. Thomas William Baguma, Principal Registrar and Personal Assistant to the Academic Registrar. Also present were Mr. Simon Musoke, Head of Mature Age Examinations; Mr. Ochwo Gerald, Liaison and Communications Officer; Ms. Ssozi Priscila, Ag. Head of the Transcripts Section; and Ms. Assumpta Tushabirane from the Ceremonies and Certificates Section.

The Mature Age Scheme promotes inclusivity by catering for candidates who can meet admission requirements but are not be eligible to apply under the Direct Entry Scheme. To be eligible for Makerere’s Mature Age Entry Examinations, candidates must be at least 25 years old before 1^st August of the year the exam is offered. The Scheme is open to Ugandans, East Africans and International applicants.

The benchmarking meeting focused on strengthening the management of Mature Age Entry Examinations and admissions. The Gulu University team sought to understand how Makerere University attracts prospective Mature Age applicants, the programmes that consistently register the highest number of applicants, the administration and security of the examinations, quality assurance mechanisms, the criteria and process for equating international academic qualifications, and the timelines for processing and issuing Mature Age Entry certificates. The discussions also covered candidate registration, results management, admissions procedures, and the use of technology to support efficient service delivery.

Welcoming the delegation, the Makerere University team led by Mr. Simon Musoke, Head of Mature Age Examinations, shared experiences and best practices that have enabled the University to sustain a credible, transparent, and efficient Mature Age Entry Scheme over the years.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Helen Christine Amongin thanked the Office of the Academic Registrar for its warm reception and willingness to share its institutional experience.

“We are grateful to the Office of the Academic Registrar for accepting to host us and allowing us to benefit from Makerere University‘s long-standing experience in managing special examinations. Thank you for opening your doors to us. We are leaving with valuable lessons that will strengthen our own systems, and when we return, we hope it will be to share our progress.”

Responding on behalf of the Academic Registrar, Mr. Thomas William Baguma conveyed Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi’s apologies for not attending due to other official commitments. He thanked Gulu University for choosing Makerere University as its benchmarking partner, noting that such engagements create opportunities for mutual learning.

“Benchmarking is a two-way process. While one institution comes to learn, the host institution also gains fresh perspectives. These engagements challenge us to reflect on, validate and continuously improve our own processes.”

Mr. Baguma reiterated Makerere University‘s commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration among higher education institutions in pursuit of quality assurance and excellence in academic administration.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Office of the Academic Registrar, where the delegation interacted with staff from key sections responsible for Mature Age Examinations, admissions, transcripts, certificates and ceremonies, providing them with first-hand exposure to the University’s operational processes. Both institutions expressed their commitment to continued collaboration and knowledge sharing to strengthen academic administration and expand access to higher education through credible and efficient admission systems.

Ochwo Gerald is the Communications & Liaison Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University