The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) devastation across the world has been phenomenal in the shortest time since its outbreak in December 2019 in China. COVID-19 impacts have been felt in all spheres of the economy and global operations. Tertiary education has seen significant interruptions and according to UNESCO, universities and other tertiary education institutions across 175 countries were closed affecting some 220 million learners globally. In the Sub-Saharan Africa region, COVID-19 affected an estimated 98% of all the tertiary education students as countries imposed measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus. The pandemic besides getting students off-campus caused universities to suffer significant revenue losses from tuition and other services offered by their respective campuses.
In order to galvanize our universities’ responses to emerging challenges and opportunities brought about by the Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, the RUFORUM Secretariat convened a multi-stakeholder online engagement from June-October 2020. Thirteen (13) Webinars were convened to galvanize dialogue and directions for African higher education actors, Governments and Private sector response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and in alignment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recognizing the role of universities in responding to the Pandemic,the target audience for these virtual convenings included policy leaders, higher education leaders, staff, university students, technical experts, and researchers. The overall theme of the webinar series was Galvanizing Partnerships for Africa’s Universities Response to Emerging Challenges and Opportunities. The Webinars targeted participants from within and outside Africa to position the dialogue within the continental and global contexts and to build on earlier discussions during the Afro-Arab Partnership meeting in Kampala, the Global Partnership meeting for Higher Agricultural Education and Research,held during the 16thRUFORUM Annual General Meeting in Cape Coast, Ghana and the Ministerial Communique on Promoting Africa Wide Cooperation in Higher Agricultural Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. The webinars generated dialogue and action points that have implications for RUFORUM and other academic and research agencies as they engage with continental agencies such as African Union and European Union as well as National Governments and other regional bodies.
This report summarizes emerging issues and recommendations for strengthening higher agricultural education, partnerships and responses to emerging challenges from the Webinar series.
RUFORUM Webinar Series Participation:
The thirteen (13)webinars attracted more than 100 speakers and moderators. These included among others, former Heads of State, AUC Commissioners and Directors, DEVCo-European Commission Director and other representations, FAO Directors and representatives, Government Ministers, Vice Chancellors and other University leaders, Directors and other representations of university and other associations, private sector actors, students, farmer organizations, Government agencies, international Non-Governmental Organizations, and funding agencies such as, the World Bank and BRIDGIN Foundation.
The audience was drawn from over 100countries across all continents. Marked participation was registered from Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria and the United States of America. The total registration for participation was 5,275 with an average attendance of 60% for each Webinar over a period of five (5) months. The gender distribution was60% male and 39% female.
The Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) Graduate Trainee Program in Communications offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in content development, digital marketing, public relations and multimedia production.
Trainees will work alongside experienced professionals to develop engaging content, support communication campaigns and contribute to initiatives that showcase the impact of research and education in Uganda.
Application Deadline: Monday 16th November 2026 at 5:00 PM Uganda time.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
Mr. Keith Robertson
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Prof. Edward Bbaale
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba and Dr Seith Mugume
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Dr Philip Nyenje
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2027/2028 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information System from 9th November, 2026 to 31st December, 2026. The Public Universities include:
(a) Makerere University (b) Makerere University Business School
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Kyambogo University
Gulu University
Busitema University
Muni University
Kabale University
Lira University
Soroti University
Mountains of the Moon University
Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education
NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.
The online application system will allow A ‘Level Schools/UNEB Centre Administrators to input the applicants’ required information using one of the two formats provided:
The Online Application Portal
This is where the applicants’ information is captured directly into the system using the internet (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) The portal contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.
The Offline Excel Sheet
This will be downloaded from the online application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled offline and uploaded into the system via the internet. The excel sheet also contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.
The information to be captured include among others:
Applicants’ Bio-data
Father’s information
Mother’s information
Applicants’ home district
Information about Disabilities
O’ Level index number and year of sitting
A’ Level index number and year of sitting
National merit choices (6)
District Quota Choices (4)
Tertiary Institutions choices (4)
However, before the commencement of the application exercise, New School Administrators with A level UNEB Centre numbers will be required to fill theaccessform to allow them use the online Application Portal. The form can be accessed from the Makerere University application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled, stamped, scanned and submitted to this email address: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 ,Level three (3), Senate Building for account creation. On creation of the account, a message containing the account details will be sent to the school administrator’s email address and phone number.
A non-refundable application fee of UGX. 57,000/= (Fifty-seven thousand shillings only) per applicant will be paid using a Payment Reference Number (PRN) generated from the system in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) before loading the application data.
NB: (i) A user guide is accessible from the online application portal and University website (www.mak.ac.ug).
(ii) Information on Public Universities Admissions for 2027/2028 Academic Year is accessible from the Makerere University application portal and website: www.mak.ac.ug
(iii) The JAB information Booklet for other tertiary institutions for 2027/2028 Academic year is accessible from the online application portal and Makerere University website (www.mak.ac.ug).
Submission Confirmation
Upon successful submission, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that your application(s) have/ has been received.
Acknowledgment Form
Once submission is done, an acknowledgment form must be downloaded and printed from the system, signed and stamped by the Head Teacher and forward to: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 Senate Building Makerere University.
The closing date for submitting the application data in the system and acknowledgement form will be 31st December 2026.
There will be no hard copy/manual application forms given to applicants.
Re-applicants who did their Advanced Level in 2025 or 2024 can apply through their Schools or can use the System directly.