Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)’s partnership with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) was born in 2005 in Maputo-Mozambique, and subsequent successful convening in Mangochi-Malawi in 2005. During these convenings, young academics, supported through RUFORUM impressed upon the Foundation their ability to engage directly with farmers and to jointly address some of their agricultural problems. Subsequently discussions were held and an Institutional Strengthening Grant was awarded to RUFORUM. The Grant aimed to develop a comprehensive and viable program underpinned by strong governance and management anchored on RUFORUM’s project development, quality assurance and accountability systems. RUFORUM has benefited from this strategic investment, building a strong reputation for transparency, as well as excellent financial and technical audit and accountability systems, and is held in high esteem by its members.
Specifically, the support to the Secretariat helped:
(a) Develop functional Governance Organs and a fully constituted Secretariat with a dedicated staff, for mission fulfilment.
(b) Strengthen mission delivery mechanisms (implementation, measurement and evaluation, mentorship and close relationships with Network members);
(c) Support diverse convenings that have raised the profile of member universities and the convening power of RUFORUM;
(d) Strengthen member universities capacity to mobilize resources for collective and individual needs;
(e) Contribute to development of quality graduate training programs that meet national to regional needs through its regional MSc and PhD training programs and as well as graduate research grants;
(f) Support development of quality assurance systems for higher education;
(g) Promote an inclusive agenda by intensifying training of women and their engagement in science, technology and innovation
(h) Reduce human resource erosion from African Institutions, thereby increasing return on investment by BMGF and other development partners on higher education
(i) Catalyze stronger relationships with governments and strengthened relationship between universities and policy makers.
Overall, therefore the Institutional support to RUFORUM has been critical for establishing a strong foundation for a viable sustainable African led and grown Institution, something that would not have been possible if only short-term support had been provided. In fact, under this grant, RUFORUM network expanded from 32 universities in 2009 to 129 universities in 38 African countries in 2019. This expansion, underpinned by a strong institutional structure has increased the regional and international image and position of the network as a vibrant outcome and impact-oriented consortium. This strong institutional setting of RUFORUM has been key to attracting, leveraging and maintaining funding and increasing investment opportunities from other partners and Governments that continue to sustain RUFORUM operations and activities.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.