12th October 2021: Scientists have developed a reliable new method to monitor the risk of contamination in drinking water which gives immediate results, enabling global communities to respond rapidly and help reduce their exposure to waterborne diseases.
Drinking water contaminated with human and animal faeces is consumed by at least two billion people worldwide. This pollution is responsible for outbreaks of waterborne diseases that remain common, even in high-income countries.
For decades, standard approaches to test water supplies have used bacteriological indicators of faecal contamination, most commonly thermotolerant coliform bacteria known as TTCs. Analysis of these indicators requires use of sterile equipment and culturing techniques, which practically limit the frequency of water sampling so that contamination events can be missed. Time lags of 1 or 2 days before results are returned mean that people can already have been exposed to the faecal contamination.
Co-author Jacintha Nayebare, PhD student at Makerere University said, “In-situ fluorescence spectroscopy provides an instantaneous assessment of faecal contamination allowing rapid feedback to consumers that could reduce exposure of consumers to faecally contaminated drinking water.”
The team examined changes in water quality over a 14-month period from 40 sources supplied by groundwater in Lukaya Town of south-central Uganda. The results show not only that in-situ fluorescence provides an instantaneous measure of faecal contamination but also that it is a more reliable measure of the risk of faecal contamination than TTCs.
Co-author, Dr. Robinah Kulabako from Makerere University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering said, “this rapid, robust method of monitoring the risk posed by faecal contamination has enormous implications in Uganda not only for untreated water sources such as wells and springs thereby, enabling communities to respond rapidly to contamination events but also for low-cost, continuous monitoring of piped water supplies.”
Lead-author, James Sorensen from the BGS and UCL said: “the ability to test in-situ fluorescence as an indicator of faecal contamination risk in a wide range of environments and conditions has greatly improved both the evidence base for this method of water quality monitoring and our understanding of what fluorescence observed in water means.”
Use of inline fluorimeter to test the quality of a municipal piped water supply from a Chalk aquifer in southern England.
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) convened a meeting at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) focused on the critical role of research in national development. The meeting attended by college leaders’ and staff emphasized the shift from basic research which makes up nearly 80% of research efforts to applied research, which has the potential to generate revenue, create industries, and provide employment opportunities.
The discussion held in the CEDAT Board room Thursday 29th May 2025, highlighted the government’s agenda to prioritize applied research, ensuring universities become hubs of innovation rather than just centers for academic publishing. The meeting also stressed the importance of pilot testing and learning from early experiences to refine university support systems for commercialization.
The College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) on 28th May 2025 convened the UNESCO China Funds-in-Trust (CFIT III) supported workshop, an event aimed at fostering innovation and technological advancements within the university. The high-level workshop hosted by the School of Engineering aimed at fostering innovation and advancing the national development agenda. It brought together academics, industry experts, students, and government officials to discuss the future of engineering, science, and technology in Uganda.
The event was officially opened by the College Principal Professor Moses Musinguzi, who congratulated the School of Engineering for spearheading the initiative, emphasizing the importance of innovation in African universities. He noted that institutions often overlook innovation, yet it is a key pillar in higher education worldwide. “Innovation should be at the core of universities. It defines progress, and as a college, we are committed to expanding our contributions in this field,” he stated. Prof. Musinguzi stressed that innovation is the key to economic transformation, and universities must integrate it into their work.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
The following Programmes have been added:
Bachelor of Science in Computer and Communications Engineering (CCE)
Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug.
Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
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The closing date for receiving applications to undergraduate programmes shall be Tuesday 27th May 2025.
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Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission. The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
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