The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is mandated under Section 4(b) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 262, to promote and develop the processing and dissemination of information on higher education for the benefit of the public. In line with this mandate, NCHE has consistently advanced scholarly discourse in higher education through The Uganda Higher Education Review Journal, published semi-annually in May and November.

It is my privilege to present to you Volume 12, Issue 1 (November 2024) of the journal, now available electronically via DOI: 10.58653 and with ISSN 1813-2243 (print) and 2958-5473 (online). The articles in this issue embody a profound commitment to rigorous inquiry, intellectual curiosity, and scholarly excellence.

This edition explores critical themes, including:

1. Financing and Investment in Higher Education.
2. The Adoption of Emerging Technologies in the Digital Transformation of Higher Education.
3. Improving Access and Inclusivity in Higher Education in Uganda: Addressing the Nation’s Low Gross Enrolment Ratio.
4. The Role of the Private Sector in Enhancing Graduate Skills and Employability through Technology Innovation.

I sincerely appreciate the contributors whose unwavering dedication to their fields has enriched the publication. I also acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the authors, NCHE staff and Management, the editorial team, and the reviewers. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in ensuring the quality and integrity of the research presented in this volume.

Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Godwin Anywar, cohort 6, Makerere University, attended the 2024 World Science Forum that took place on November 20 – 23, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. At the forum, he participated in a side event: ‘Trust in Science’, a workshop for early career researchers organized by the Global Young Academy (GYA) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP). 

On November 26 – 28, 2024, he attended the twentieth annual meeting of the African Science Academies (AMASA 2024) and the General Assembly of the Network of African Academies of Sciences (NASAC), in Algiers, Algeria. He presented on ‘Promoting Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development in Africa’ as one the co-leads of the Science Diplomacy in Africa working group of the Global Young Academy’. 

Godwin also participated in the Uganda Text Book Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association (UTANA)- hybrid symposium on authorship capacity where he moderated a panel session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and academic authorship. With the theme ‘Capacity building for academic and nonfiction authorship for Africa’s Transformation’ the symposium took place from November 14 -15, 2024 in Kampala, Uganda. 

Additionally, he attended and moderated a session on the regulation and registration of herbal medicinal products (HMP) in African countries. Organized by the Society for Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research (GA) in collaboration with PharmaConnect Africa NPC and The Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA), the session was part of an eSeminar series ‘Regulation of Natural Products – a Global Challenge’.

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 83

Betty Akwongo, Esezah K. Kakudidi, Anthony M. Nsubuga, Morgan Andama, Mary Namaganda, Patience Tugume, Savina Asiimwe, Godwin Anywar & Esther Katuura 

Abstract

Background

The emergence of multidrug resistant Candida species to available drugs has led to renewed interest in the use of herbal medicines globally. This study scientifically verified antifungal effectiveness of five commonly used plant species in Pader district, against selected pathogenic candida strains.

Methods

Powdered roots of Momordica foetida, Sansevieria dawei and Distimake dissectus; and stem barks of Khaya anthotheca and Mitragyna rubrostipulata were extracted sequentially using petroleum ether and methanol, respectively; and total water extraction at 24.4 °C (maceration), 60 °C (decoction) and boiling water at 87 °C (hot water infusion). Extracts and their combinations, positive controls (amphotericin B, and fluconazole) and negative control (80% dimethyl sulfoxide, verified to be tolerable concentration to the tested Candida species) were screened and verified for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC: American Type Culture Collection reference strain 10231, ATCC 90028, 0770a and 0796), C. glabrata (VVc 004, ATCC 2950) and C. tropicalis (ATCC 750 and 0210) using agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution, respectively.

Results

Aqueous extract (24.4 °C) of M. rubrostipulata (ZOI: 18.00 ± 1.00 to 38.33 ± 0.17; MIC: 3.13 ± 0.00 to 20.83 ± 4.17; MFC: 12.50 ± 0.00 to 200.00 ± 0.00), methanol extract of K. anthotheca (10.11 ± 0.31 to 15.11 ± 0.65; 1.04 ± 0.26 to 12.50 ± 0.00; 12.50 ± 0.00 to 100.00 ± 0.00), and combination of aqueous extract (60 °C) of D. dissectus + methanol extract of K. anthotheca (7.89 ± 0.26 to 19.67 ± 0.37; 0.78 ± 0.00 to 50.00 ± 0.00; 12.50 ± 0.00 to 200.00 ± 0.00) exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activities and were fungistatic against all tested Candida species, which comprised 8 clinical/control and susceptible/resistant strains. None of the conventional drugs used demonstrated broad spectrum antifungal activity across all tested Candida species/strains.

Conclusion

Methanol extract of K. anthotheca, aqueous extract (24.4 °C) of M. rubrostipulata, and combination of aqueous extract (60 °C) of D. dissectus + methanol extract of K. anthotheca could be effective in the treatment of candidiasis. They demonstrated potential broad spectrum antifungal activity against different species and strains of tested Candida than the fluconazole and amphotericin B drugs. Their fungistatic nature showed their ability to inhibit fungal growth. Hence, these extracts/extract combination can offer better treatment option for candidiasis if they are standardized and also their active curative compounds isolated and made into antifungal drugs.

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