General
Mak enters Research & Training Partnership with Somali National University
Makerere University – Mak and Somali National University (SNU) on Monday 21st November 2021) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will commence a collaboration between the two African Universities.
The signing ceremony took place at Makerere University between Professor Hassan Omar Mahadalle, the Rector of Somalia National University and his Ugandan counterpart Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University. The Somali Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Ali Mohamud Mohamed witnessed the signing.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said the two institutions have agreed to collaborate in research and training.
The agreement will enable Makerere University through its School of Public Health (MakSPH) under the College of Health Sciences support Somali National University which is currently pioneering its public health training and research program at its Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Makerere has since 1984 implemented training and research in public health and will through this partnership support efforts to enhance Somali National University’s capacity to provide high quality graduate and undergraduate training in public health and facilitate collaborative research by both students and faculty at both universities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Makerere University said he was happy that Somali National University had chosen Makerere University as a potential collaborator.
“We are not the only University but we are an old University with very important lessons we can share with you. We are happy that now you have come to formally establish working relations with us,” said Prof. Buyinza.
He further expressed Makerere’s readiness to support SNU through this partnership and hailed Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean of MakSPH for initiating discussion with the embassy and University.
He cited that the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda had already interested Makerere University to work with and support universities in Somalia especially in areas of research.
“Makerere University is a very old institution and we want to really work together with institutions in the region that have the same vision and mission. Ours is not only to build research capacity but actually how do we inform national policy. I am happy that Rector has requested us to set up a research office and systems. We are very much willing and available, once you formally make that request to the Vice Chancellor,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor walked his visitors through a brief history of Makerere University and how it started as a humble technical institution in 1922, citing that it has trained thousands of people and impacted a lot of lives through edge cutting research.
“We currently have 37,000 students. We had actually reached 50,000 students a few years back but there was an outcry that we did not have the facilities to manage the numbers so we started reducing the numbers. And we are still reducing gradually because we want to reduce the number of undergraduates and increase the number of graduates. We think that the optimum number will be about 25,000,” said Prof. Nawangwe said.
According to Prof. Nawangwe, Makerere University wishes to collaborate with Somali National University in every area in order to learn from each other. “You have chosen to start collaboration in the area of public health which is a very important area for our region because of our very fast population growth and the challenges we are going to face, climate change and new diseases and so on. But we are open to collaborate in all the other areas,” he said.
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Sweden through SIDA has supported Makerere University to develop capacity and research, supporting over 400 staff to acquire PhDs.
Prof. Hassan Omar Mahadalle, the Rector of Somalia National University requested Makerere University to support the university in establishing research systems
“We appreciate the hospitality. We look forward to working with Makerere University. Somali National University was created in 1950, about 28 years after Makerere University was created. We were one of the largest universities in Sub-Saharan Africa before a civil war broke out in 1991. At that time, we had about 11 schools. When war broke out, everyone who was involved in education left for overseas. The University was reopened in 2014 after relative peace and stability and since 2014, we have established 12 Faculties and I am here now six months as a Rector,” said Prof. Omar Mahadalle.
He added that; “We were very shy when we were asking for this MoU and we limited ourselves in public health but in fact we need help in every College. We need support in Medicine, we need support in Education, we need support in Engineering, we need support in general Sciences, all our faculties need capacity building support. We will appreciate”
The Somali Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Ali Mohamud Mohamed said Somalia has stabilized and the country is resuming to empower universities to continue training and research.
“Somalia is now a peaceful country courtesy of countries with troops under bodies like AMISOM, and one of them is Uganda. We thank President Museveni and all the Uganda government for the support. Now 80% of Somalia is peaceful. There is nothing to worry about if your teams wish to come to Mogadishu,” said H.E. Ambassador Mahamud Mohamed.
He also said it was a great privilege for Somali National University to partner with one of the best universities on the continent citing that it has produced several of the region’s leaders as well as those in currently under the Somali government.
“I am glad and privileged today to witness the signing of the MOU between two great institutions and I thank everyone who has been able to see this come through.”
Professor Rhoda Wanyenze said the School of Public Health at Makerere University is a founder member of the Association of School of Public Health in Africa, citing that it would be important for SNU to join as well.
She added that MakSPH is working towards integrating Sustainable Development Goals, being a member of SDG Cluster 3 of the International Association of Universities (IAU), created under the auspices of UNESCO.
“IAU has mapped out clusters for each Sustainable Development Goal and we are a set of universities that are doing this. We coordinate the Cluster and we represent Africa on that Cluster for SDG3. There are also other members from other continents like Western Sydney University, Karolinska Institutet several others. Each continent has a University,” said Professor Wanyenze.
The Somali delegation also had Dr. Mohamed Gedi Qayad, Dean Faculty of Health Science & Tropical Medicine, Mr. Abdulwahab M. Salad, Director School of Public Health & Research, Mr. Ismail Abdullahi Ibrahim, Director of Social & Student Affairs Office at Somali National University and Mr. Liban Hussein, the Educational Attache Somali Embassy.
Dr. Fredrick Makumbi, the Deputy Dean MakSPH said; “We are very excited about the MoU with you. The School of Public Health where you are is one of the 29 Schools in the 10 Colleges with nine academic programs with more than 800 students. We are proud of being part of public health research and innovations and we have extensive partnerships. We proud that you are going to be part of this amazing network of partners.”
In this three-day visit, the delegation of Somali National University paid a courtesy call to Principal, Deputy Principal, and other Deans in the College of Health Sciences, Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students Makerere University (Mak) and held talks with MakSPH Heads of Department to discuss way forward as well as interfacing with Somali Embassy and Makerere University Somali Students.
Article originally posted on MakSPH website.
General
Meet Sedrick Nuwagaba, a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni Contributing to Uganda’s Oil & Gas Industry
Sedrick Nuwagaba, a 35-year-old petroleum engineer, is actively contributing his expertise to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, which regulates the oil and gas sector. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production from Makerere University in 2021, an opportunity he accessed through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Sedrick’s educational qualifications and professional responsibilities exemplify his commitment to advancing Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
Who is Sedrick Nuwagaba?
Sedrick was born on February 1, 1990, in Kashari, located within the Mbarara district of Western Uganda. He spent his early childhood in a large family, where he faced many challenges that shaped his resilient character. By the age of 14, Sedrick had become the primary breadwinner for his immediate family, comprising his mother and two sisters. His unwavering commitment to their well-being remains evident to this day.
To support his family during these formative years, Sedrick took on a variety of jobs in his community. These early experiences cultivated in him resilience and tenacity, qualities that have significantly contributed to his success as a petroleum engineer.
Following these family challenges, Sedrick and his immediate family relocated from Kashari to a new area in what is now Lyantonde district, where they continue to reside. His journey not only reflects personal growth but also underscores a steadfast commitment to uplifting those around him.
Early Education
The implementation of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in Uganda in 1997 was a pivotal development for Sedrick, facilitating his enrollment at St. Martin Lyantonde Primary School at the age of seven, which was conveniently located near his residence. Sedrick expresses deep appreciation for this initiative, commenting, “Without UPE, I might not have had the opportunity to pursue my education. It truly opened the door for me to attend school and engage in learning.” Despite confronting considerable challenges, including a lack of necessities such as food, Sedrick distinguished himself academically. He achieved top candidate status among UPE schools in his district, earning an impressive seven aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examinations—a remarkable accomplishment given the adversities he faced.
Pursuing Secondary Education
Sedrick faced significant challenges after earning 7 points in the Primary Leaving Examinations, as he was unable to secure a bursary. At that time, alternative arrangements for Universal Secondary Education were limited, which made it difficult for him to continue his education. However, demonstrating remarkable resilience, Sedrick sought work at 14 to fund his secondary education. Through his determination and resourcefulness, he enrolled at Victoria Western College, a small private school in his area, where he attended for three years, reaching Form 3.
Although financial barriers hindered his progress to Form 4, Sedrick’s journey shows his dedication to education and his ability to overcome adversity. Fortunately, his elder half-brother, a businessman in the neighbouring town of Mbarara, reached out and helped him enrol in Form 4 at Kashari Secondary School in Mbarara in 2007.
Embarking on a Journey to Iraq in Search of Opportunity
In 2008, facing difficulties in pursuing his education, Sedrick made the brave decision to take up a security job during the conflict in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. At that time, many young Ugandans were recruited to provide buffer security support to the U.S. military in Iraq. During his time in Iraq, Sedrick not only earned a stable income to support his family but also cared for his mother and funded his two sisters’ education, ultimately improving their lives. Unfortunately, his contract ended in 2010, and he had to return to Uganda to write the next chapter of his life.
Joining the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University
Upon returning to Uganda after his experience in the Iraq War, Sedrick recognised that education was the key to transforming his life. With a determined mindset, he committed himself to his studies, understanding the long-lasting impact they could have on his future. Thanks to his perseverance and the relationships he had built, Sedrick obtained a bursary from a religious organisation, enabling him to resume his high school education six years after his last time in school.
In 2015, he completed his high school education at Namirembe Hillside, where he studied Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. With 15 points in his final exams, he was admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
“Participating in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University significantly changed my life. For the first time, I was free from the constant worries about necessities like food and shelter. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provided me with a supportive environment that allowed me to focus on my education and personal growth,” Sedrick shared.
Life After Makerere University
In 2020, after graduating, Sedrick had the opportunity to intern at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in the Reservoir Engineering section. During his internship, he demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise in the oil and gas sector. His performance led to his promotion to a Graduate Trainee, which provided him with valuable experiential learning and expanded his exposure within the industry. This experience ultimately paved the way for his recruitment as a Petroleum Engineer at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, where he now contributes to the regulation of petroleum exploration activities in the country.
Impact on the Community
Upon graduating from university, Sedrick took a proactive approach that set him apart from his peers. He launched Kleanerman, a social venture project designed to have a positive impact on his community. This initiative provides valuable short-term, on-demand domestic services—such as home cleaning, laundry, and babysitting—catering to the needs of busy city residents. Through Kleanerman, Sedrick has successfully created employment opportunities for several young men and women in his community of Kanyanya, fostering both economic growth and personal development.
Due to his own challenges during his educational journey, he has developed a deep commitment to helping other young people facing difficulties with school expenses. To date, he has successfully supported seven young individuals in his Lyantonde community, guiding them from primary through secondary education. His long-term goal is to establish a charitable organisation dedicated to providing young people facing barriers to education with the resources they need to access quality education.
Looking into the Future
Sedrick is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in Uganda’s oil and gas sector. He, along with his colleagues, is focused on ensuring that Uganda achieves its inaugural oil production by 2026.
“Each day, our collective efforts are directed toward successfully introducing Uganda’s first oil into the market by the end of 2026, and expanding the country’s petroleum resource base by discovering more oil reserves,” Sedrick states with evident pride. He is also committed to advancing his career in the oil and gas industry. From his earnings, he has enrolled for a Master’s degree in Petroleum Geosciences at Makerere University to deepen his skills and expertise in the sector.
Message to his fellow young people
Sedrick urges the current Mastercard Foundation Scholars enrolled in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, as well as those at other universities, to make the most of the support provided by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. He emphasises the importance of engaging in capacity-building sessions, skill development programs, mentorship opportunities, and psychosocial support. Sedrick asserts that this comprehensive support framework has been instrumental in transforming his life and shaping who he is today.
He references a quotation that has become a guiding principle in his life: “Until death, all defeat is psychological.” Through this quotation, he seeks to inspire his peers to persevere, emphasising the notion that individuals can always recover and succeed despite the myriad challenges they may encounter in their initial endeavours.
Words of Gratitude
“The impact of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program on my life is profound and transformative. I am sincerely grateful to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University and to the Mastercard Foundation as a whole. It is my hope and prayer that the Foundation continues to make a positive difference in the lives of numerous young individuals, particularly within the African continent.” Sedrick emphasises.
His supervisor speaks out
Sedrick’s immediate supervisor, Mr Derrick Katusiime, the Senior Petroleum Engineer in the Directorate of Exploration at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, was full of praise for him both at work and outside.
“Sedrick is very sociable and gets along well with everyone here at work, and his technical skills in just two years are impressive,” Mr. Katusiime pointed out.
Mr Katusiime further revealed that Sedrick champions values of integrity, active listening, and being an excellent team player. He goes the extra mile to complete tasks, takes on multiple responsibilities, and demonstrates humility and eagerness to learn.
Bernard Buteera is the Principal Communications Officer, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
A few weeks shy of celebrating a decade of advancing lung health for all through research, training and patient care, the Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI) on 4th November 2025 unveiled a landmark expansion project, set to provide world-class care and contribute to global lung health research. The proposed six-level facility will house the Centre for Advanced Pulmonary and Intensive Care (CAPIC), Centre for Clinical Investigation (CCI), and Centre for Capacity Enhancement (CCE). Upon completion these units will deliver advanced respiratory care, cutting-edge research, and specialist training for pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and respiratory scientists. MLI’s year-long celebrations of a decade of existence will culminate in a grand event to be held on 27th and 28th November 2025.
Officials laud MLI Milestones
Addressing officials at the site handover ceremony who included the Executive Director, Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH)-Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, Chairperson MLI Board of Directors-Prof. Charles Ibingira, Founder and Director MLI-Prof. Bruce Kirenga among others, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MLI on milestones such as treating 20,000 patients to-date. “Thank you Prof. Kirenga for having the vision to start and grow the Lung Institute, and to hear that you have already raised some of the funds to commence this phase of the project is commendable,” Prof. Nawangwe lauded.
The MLI Expansion Project (MEP) is valued at UGX 66.84Bn (US$18.06M) comprising of construction of a 5,139sqm building valued at US14.04 M, specialist training valued at US$ 1.43M, and equipment valued at US$2.59M. It will be located on Mulago Hill on land allocated by the MNRH Board of Directors, a gesture the Vice Chancellor sincerely appreciated the Executive Director Dr. Byanyima for.
“Thank you for offering this land Dr. Byanyima. Makerere University and Mulago National Referral Hospital as top institutions our country must work together because if Makerere succeeds at conducting research, the hospital benefits” added Prof. Nawangwe.
MLI’s Role in Advancing Lung Health
Dr. Byanyima in her remarks acknowledged that it was during the CoVID-19 pandemic that the importance of lung health and the role played by MLI was brought to the fore. “But I’m glad that (pandemic) made the Lung Institute grow stronger and on the Hill (Mulago) when we have a unit growing stronger, we have an obligation to support it, not that we abdicate our responsibilities, but we know that it is shared responsibility.”
She therefore thanked Prof. Kirenga for his foresightedness in always thinking of projects that benefit the public. “Mulago Hill does not expand; there are many needs and as MNRH we are looking for land elsewhere. So for the Lung Institute to have been given an opportunity to get a few square metres is because you showed justified cause,” complimented Dr. Byanyima.
The Chairperson MLI Board acknowledged that the Lung Institute has not only received support from MNRH but from its mother Ministry of Health, and other Government entities such as the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, which is supporting MLI’s Clinical Trials Centre and the current expansion project. Prof. Ibigira equally thanked the University for the good policies that facilitate the creation and growth of centres of excellence.
“As the board, we pledge to ensure that this expansion project is executed with excellence, transparency and timeliness, and look forward to a facility that will stand as a beacon of hope in innovation and global excellence in lung health” remarked Prof. Ibingira.
In his remarks, Prof. Bruce Kirenga noted that it is critical that centres of excellence such as MLI are located around MNRH so as to synergize general and specialized healthcare services offered to the public. He therefore thanked Dr. Byanyima and the MNRH Board for not only allocating land for MLI’s expansion but also the two buildings within the Hospital complex that have boosted Institute operations since its founding in 2015.
“These two buildings house the Clinical Trials Ward and the Vaccine House, which is the biggest cold room for vaccines in the country apart from National Medical Stores. This has enhanced our capability in research, storage of vaccines, and most importantly, we can also store a large amount of investigational vaccines, and right now we are being profiled as a centre for stockpiling investigational vaccines on the continent” Prof. Kirenga elaborated, before adding “and we have the largest specialist clinic in the region for treating people with complex lung diseases.”
Scope of works
According to Eng. Ezra Sekadde, Head of the Project Management Team, the construction phase of the MEP has been divided into three stages; 1a to renovate an existing onsite structure for MLI operations, 1b to construct the six-level facility, and 2 to complete internal and external finishes as well as concrete paving and access road works.
Construction will be undertaken by CK Associates within a period of seven months. The Fundraising Committee for the MEP will be chaired by Prof. Tonny Oyana, the Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).
Under the theme, “Leveraging AI for Sustainable Transformation: Leading in Uganda’s Transformation in the Age of Disruptive AI,” the 16th Annual CEO Forum 2025 brought together government leaders, captains of industry, academia, and development partners to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive Uganda’s transformation agenda.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Mr Yusuf Kiranda, University Secretary at Makerere University, reaffirmed the University’s pivotal role as a hub for AI research, innovation, and training anchored in strong partnerships across government, academia, and industry.
“Makerere University is responsible for research, innovation and training to ensure transferable knowledge that can be utilised by both the private and public sector,” Mr. Kiranda noted.
He emphasised that Uganda’s sustainable AI transformation will depend on effective policy, governance, and collaboration across sectors.
According to Mr. Kiranda, three key issues must be addressed for AI to realise its potential:
- Balancing control and facilitation: Policymakers must not only regulate AI but also actively enable its use to drive innovation and competitiveness.
- Sovereignty of AI: Uganda must safeguard its data and resources, especially in sectors like agriculture, where external mapping of local assets threatens national control and export competitiveness.
- Regional harmonisation: To ensure fair competition, AI policies must be aligned across East Africa so Ugandan, Kenyan, and Tanzanian businesses operate under a level playing field.
“In the utilisation of AI, if a policy is making Uganda less competitive, we must revise it now to allow private sector players to thrive in this disruptive age,” he added.
Mr. Kiranda further reiterated Makerere’s commitment to producing quality, AI-ready graduates and enhancing teaching and learning methods to integrate technology. He also acknowledged the Government’s continued investment in research at Makerere, which has seen a growing number of researchers focus on AI and technological innovations.
“I can attest to Makerere’s existing partnerships with government entities and development partners. These collaborations are making the market ready to deliver solutions through effective academia–industry partnerships,” he said.
Building Africa’s Digital Destiny
The forum opened with a powerful keynote from Dr. Robin Kibuka, Board Director at the CEO Summit Uganda, who spoke on “Building Africa’s Digital Destiny: Kampala Rising, Africa Inventing.”
Dr. Kibuka urged Africans to take ownership of their digital future, stressing that the continent must define how AI transforms its societies.
“Artificial Intelligence can empower Africa or divide it. The choice is ours,” he said.
He highlighted success stories from across Africa, including AI-powered drones delivering medical supplies and smart credit systems supporting small businesses — proof that the continent is already innovating its own digital solutions.
Leveraging AI for Sustainable Transformation
In her keynote address on “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Transformation,” Dr. Preeti Aghalayam, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras – Zanzibar Campus, described AI as “the defining disruptor of the 21st century.”
She emphasised that both Africa and India share a unique opportunity to collaborate in education, innovation, and human capital development to shape a more inclusive digital future.
“Artificial Intelligence must help us do better and be better,” she said, highlighting the need for responsible innovation that uplifts communities and promotes sustainability.
Digital Transformation in the Health Sector
Mr. Rashid Khalani, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan University Hospital, Uganda, presented on “Digital Transformation in the Health Sector,” sharing practical examples of how AI is redefining healthcare delivery.
From AI-powered radiology that detects anomalies faster, to predictive models for early sepsis detection and digital tools supporting mental health care, Mr. Khalani demonstrated how AI is improving patient outcomes and empowering medical professionals.
“AI is not replacing people. It is empowering them to deliver better care, faster,” he emphasised.
He noted that partnerships between hospitals, universities, and technology institutions are crucial in developing localised AI solutions that respond to real health needs.
Makerere at the Heart of Uganda’s AI Transformation
The discussions throughout the 16th Annual CEO Forum 2025 reaffirmed the critical importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and government in shaping Uganda’s AI-driven future.
Makerere University continues to play a leading role in this space, providing the research, innovation, and talent that power the country’s transition into a digital economy.
Through strategic partnerships, forward-looking policy engagement, and continuous innovation in research and training, Makerere stands at the forefront of preparing Uganda and the region for a smart, inclusive, and sustainable future powered by AI.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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