General
Mak Grants Administration & Management Unit Steering Committee Inducted
The morning of February 8th, 2022 saw the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, joined by other dignitaries to induct the Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Unit (GAMSU) Steering Committee.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor thanked Prof. William Bazeyo, former Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCFA) for his contribution to the University. In particular, the Vice Chancellor appreciated Prof. Bazeyo’s efforts in sourcing for funds and setting up the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), noting that the Fund was a result of Prof. Bazeyo’s negotiation skills. He also thanked the different University staff who had been called upon to prepare and make presentations on various aspects in an effort to guide the GAMSU Steering Committee.
“I am glad that institutionalization of Makerere University’s Grants Administration and Management Unit is coming to fruition,” Prof. Nawangwe noted. He added that the GAMSU was established because there was need for a unit to coordinate all the funding received by Makerere University.
“As management, we envisage that this unit will be a one stop centre of the University and its members, and will support checking of all receipts from our donors” he said.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the University Management is optimistic that with the introduction of GAMSU, the number of grants received by Makerere University will increase. “I call upon all of us to learn from units which have been successful in grants management, which include but are not limited to the College of Health Sciences specifically the School of Public Health”.
Among other functions, GAMSU is charged with;
- Tracing allocation of funds
- Checking on what the resources are being used for
- Conformity to the required laws guiding accountability
- Adherence to reporting and accountability requirements
- Offering training sessions to researchers on various aspects including accountability, dissemination of research outputs
- Facilitating performance or research implementation while ensuring that funds are properly being utilized
The University Secretary Mr. Yusuf Kiranda shared the GAMSU Policy, Purpose and Operationalization plan at the induction session. He highlighted five key aspects of the policy which included;
- The need for GAMSU to facilitate the research process more than control it
- Coverage of the entire ecosystem of grants management at Makerere university
- Grants Administration is the responsibility of various officers in the University of which GAMSU is part
- Ultimately Finance management is governed by Treasury instructions and other government laws
The University Secretary also emphased that it was important to have all grants declared to the University Council and consequently approved in the budget. “Any project operating in the University yet not declared to Council shall be closed,” he added.
Mr. Kiranda also sought to distinguish between GAMSU and Mak-RIF, so as to alleviate the tendency to think of the two units as one and the same. He noted that whereas the GAMSU policy is set to work on projects funded by grants as per section 44 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Mak-RIF is not categorized under projects funded by grants. He further explained that Mak-RIF is budget appropriation by the Government of the Republic of Uganda to support research and innovations at Makerere University. As such, GAMSU and Mak-RIF are two clearly separate entities by Government law and University policy.
The outgoing Head of Mak-RIF and GAMSU Prof. William Bazeyo in his remarks shared lessons learned, the opportunities, as well as challenges in implementing the research and innovations fund initiative. He hailed the Makerere University Vice Chancellor for his good stewardship and for convening the engagement in which all could share experiences for the betterment of service delivery and operations at higher institutions of learning. He pledged to continue supporting Makerere to take advantage of the various opportunities out there, from which the University can benefit and thrive even more.
According to Prof. Bazeyo, the enabling factors for Mak-RIF’s success included; the multi-disciplinary team at the Mak-RIF Secretariat, able Grants Management Committee (GMC), IT and communications office, finance management team, monitoring and evaluation team, as well as adherence to standard Government of Uganda payment rates and procedure among others.
Some of the lessons learned included; the great potential for research and innovations at Makerere University and the immense capacity of some colleges to absorb more research funds.
Prof. Bazeyo also underscored the need to continue sensitizing and guiding staff on accountability, visibility, impact sharing, frequent engagement with policy makers, deliberate demonstration of inclusiveness, patent acquisition, lobbying for commercialization, among others.
Some of the challenges encountered by Mak-RIF and highlighted by Prof. Bazeyo included; lack of human capacity to solicit, mobilize, write proposals to bring extra resources into the University research kitty, and lack of university budget for research.
He equally stressed the need to address gender barriers in research leadership, develop mechanisms to support commercialization of research, build a culture of no tolerance to unethical behavior, good remuneration, digitalizing processes, among others.
Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) while sharing experiences from her unit noted that the School’s Grants Management Unit was established in 2012 and operates with 13 staff. Operations of the MakSPH Grants Management Unit are guided by Makerere University’s policies and additional donor specific Standard Operating Procedures.
“The Grants Management Unit at School of Public Health was set up to popularize, implement and continuously improve procedures,” Prof. Wanyenze noted, adding that; “Compliance without overly constraining is critical.”
She also stressed the importance of analyzing the status of grants and scientific productivity not only at MakSPH but the entire University. “In so doing, we are able to know and appreciate the status in order to inform any improvements and sustainability efforts,” she explained.
According to Professor Wanyenze, MakSPH despite the great strides in grants management still encounters challenges such as consistency, stability and sustainability, perception of grants money rather than other work that pays, suspicion of corruption, among others.
Mr. Lubowa Gyaviira, Makerere University’s Manager of Accounts and Reporting shared about accountability and financial reporting, noting that accountability entails fulfilling our stewardship role. This, he noted, involves reviewing and reporting on an activity entrusted to someone based on a regulatory framework.
“Realistic accountability follows realistic requisitions” Mr. Lubowa emphasized. He also shared that some of the specific reports expected include; quarterly reports, physical performance reports, financial reports and a summary of all funder reporting requirements.
The incoming Head GAMSU, Prof. Grace Bantebya thanked the Makerere University Council for entrusting her with the new responsibility. She re-echoed that GAMSU is set to play a crucial role and pledged to ensure that the team works to support all researchers in order to build the resource base of the university.
“We continue to request for all the support as we embark on our duties and once again allow me to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the sharing during this Induction session. I pledge my best as we serve humanity.” Prof. Bantebya said.
Other GAMSU Steering Committee members present included; Acting DVCFA and Chairperson of the Steering Committee-Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Representatives of Sciences-Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Dr. Charles Masembe and Dr. Agnes Rwanshana Semwanga, Representatives of Humanities-Dr. Hellen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi and Dr. Godfrey Akileng, Representative of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT)-Dr. Robert Wamala and Representative of the Finance Department-Mr. Gyaviira Lubowa. A Legal Advisor will be co-opted to the Steering Committee as and when the need arises.
Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, the incoming Mak-RIF Chairperson thanked the Makerere University Council and Prof. William Bazeyo for the continued guidance and committed service to his alma mater. He noted that he was happy to join the Mak-RIF team because it is a strong team.
Prof. Nawangwe later handed over the tools of office to Prof. Bantebya and Prof. Masagazi Masaazi and all joined in a congratulatory cake cutting and sharing.
More pictures are shared on https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ksb6aCRNMMT36FYhxasCf2hv5ZUtc300
The New Vision published a piece on https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/126556
Well done and Congratulations to All!
Compiled By: Harriet Adong, Director Communications, Learning and Knowledge Management at Makerere University-ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) www.ranlab.org
Contributor: Christine Ninsiima, Accountant at Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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