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Engineering, Art & Tech

CEDAT Annual Report 2020

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Africa Centre of Excellence in Materials Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO). The Center was developed out of the need to strengthen research and training in the thematic areas of materials science and engineering, nanotechnology and nanomedicine in order to develop human resource capacity in applied science engineering disciplines for the development of the great lakes region.

MAPRONANO ACE offers highly specialized short courses in welding technology, health safety engineering, Oil & gas, Monoclonal and Nanobodies generation, Bioinformatics & Next Generation sequencing techniques. Nanomedicine Program is implemented in partnership with College of Health Sciences (MakCHS).

The centre is supported by the World Bank to the tune of USD 6 million.

The centre has registered a number of success/ achievements during the last 3 years, some of which include;

Student Training

  • 1 PhD student & 110 MSc students were enrolled in the academic year 2019/2020.
  • 50 students attended the Short Course in Tablet development of which 22 were regional students from University of Nairobi.

MOUs generated

  • 3 MOUs with Vaal University, Sefako Makgatho University of health Sciences South Africa and industrial partner CODEK Engineering Ltd have been signed, budgets and work plans submitted

Peer Reviewed publications

  • 7 peer reviewed publications in high impact journals have been published and 4 conference papers have been presented by the faculty and students.

Industry Engagement

  • MAPRONO ACE conducted industry engagement and student placements in the Eastern and Western region to promote University-private partnerships. A total of 30 manufacturing industries have participated and over 20 internship placements have been secured for the students.

Gender Awareness and Career Guidance in High School

  • MAPRONANO ACE conducted career guidance and gender awareness in high schools in Eastern and Western Uganda to encourage students mostly girls to take up STEM subjects. Over 35 high schools and over 1,500 students participated.

Revenue Generation (Grants/Contracts at Various Stages)

MAPRONANO ACE won several grant awards from Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF) and COVID19 Emergency Fund for:-

  • Viral load determination and antibody profiling among Covid-19 patients UGX 60,000,000 ($16,216.2), Prof. Charles Ibingira (PI)
  • Perfecting the design and testing the feasibility of disinfecting gloves (D-Gloves) UGX 60,000,000 ($16,216.2) Prof. John Baptist Kirabira (PI)
  • Valorization of cassava peels for abatement of active pharmaceutical contaminants from water systems in Uganda UGX 219,720,000 ($59,383.7) Prof. John Baptist Kirabira (PI)
  • Up-cycling plastic wastes by incorporation of agricultural residues for the development of environmentally friendly packaging products, UGX 104,310,000 ($28,191.9) Dr. Michael Lubwama (PI)
  • Nanobody based point of care diagnostic kit for cervical cancer UGX 194,000,000 ($52,432) Prof. Charles Ibingira (PI)

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Mark Wamai

Engineering, Art & Tech

The Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) Project Team Engages with Roofings Rolling Mills, Namanve

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By Kikomeko Pius

On August 21, 2025, a delegation from the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) improvement project visited Roofings Rolling Mills’ facility in Namanve Industrial Park. The visit represented the project’s fourth major engagement with industry stakeholders, continuing its goal to foster a world-class safety culture within Uganda’s engineering and industrial sectors.

This OSHE initiative is a collaboration among Makerere University, Busitema University, and Kyambogo University, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom. It aims to establish Centres of Excellence at each university, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry application of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment(OSHE) standards.

The Makerere University team, led by Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, Head of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) and Principal Investigator of the project, received a warm welcome from a senior delegation of Roofings Rolling Mills. The reception involved key engineers from the Health and Safety Department, along with Human Resources and Production Managers, highlighting the company’s strong commitment to collaborative innovation and industrial partnership.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

The Department of Construction Economics and Management Explores Asset Securitization Collaboration with Uganda Securities Exchange

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A high-level delegation from the Department of Construction Economics and Management, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), led by Head of Department Dr. Nathan Kibwami, has engaged the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) in strategic discussions aimed at unlocking new financing avenues for Ugandan businesses through asset securitization.

Accompanied by staff members Ronald Kaweesi and Tulikuno Collins, the delegation met with USE officials to explore collaborative opportunities focused on transforming both tangible and intangible assets into viable financial instruments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Among the key proposals was the development of a postgraduate programme in securitization of tangible assets, designed to build local expertise in asset-backed financing and capital markets. The team also discussed guest lecturing opportunities on the Bachelor of Science in Valuation programme, aiming to enrich academic instruction with practical insights from Uganda’s financial sector.

The dialogue emphasized the importance of building synergies between academia and capital markets to guide Ugandan businesses, particularly SME, in leveraging their asset portfolios to access financing. This initiative is expected to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth by empowering enterprises to tap into alternative funding mechanisms.

Dr. Kibwami noted that the partnership could “reshape how Ugandan businesses perceive and utilize their assets, not just as operational tools, but as strategic financial resources.”

The Uganda Securities Exchange welcomed the initiative, highlighting its alignment with ongoing efforts to deepen Uganda’s capital markets and support enterprise development. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between academic research, professional training, and real-world financial innovation.

Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Empowering Africa’s Future: The first of the ReSus Summer School Series on Renewable Resources Concludes

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The inaugural cohort of the ReSus Summer School Series 2025–2027, held from August 3rd to 12th, 2025, successfully concluded their engagement at Makerere University.Guided by the theme “Renewable Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa (ReSus-AFRICA),” the program convened emerging African researchers to explore innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability through renewable resources.

Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, officiated the closing ceremony held at the Rotary Peace Centre. In his address, he urged participants to carry forward the knowledge, networks, and collaborations forged during the Summer School. The challenges we face in energy, environment, and resource management demand sustained research, bold innovation, and unwavering commitment,” he emphasized. He encouraged the inaugural cohort to keep the conversations alive and to translate the ideas explored into tangible actions that will positively impact communities and drive transformation across the continent.

Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, gave the closing remarks

Prof. Wamala highlighted the alignment of the Summer School with Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research-led institution. He emphasized that convening early-career scholars from across the continent was a strategic move to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, foster South-to-South knowledge exchange, and equip participants with practical skills in renewable resource management. By hosting 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from various African countries, Makerere University demonstrated its commitment to addressing shared challenges in sustainable development.

It has indeed been an honour for Makerere University to host 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from across Africa. Your contributions, questions, and shared experiences have highlighted the immense value of bringing together diverse minds to address the complex challenges of sustainable development, noted Eng. Dr. Assoc. Prof Dorothy Okello, the Dean of the School of Engineering. This Summer School has demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing research that is both locally relevant and globally impactful.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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