When special and scientific minds meet together for a common purpose the outcome is a long lasting and permanent establishment
It was in 2003 when the like minds were mobilised to give birth to a child called “The Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture” (FORUM) from the Rockefeller Foundation Programme which had come to an end. The meeting brought together people from the academia, government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and farmers to think outside the box and come up with an organisation which will develop higher education in Africa; link academic work with policy and private sector; harness the technologies and innovations developed in Africa universities; and create centres of excellence that will address Africa’s nutrition, hunger, poverty, health, youth dividends problems and create wealth; be a pivotal centre for leadership in the Africa We Want, Agenda 2063 while contributing to Agenda 2030 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
How did it start?
Universities in five countries namely Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zimbabwe conceived the FORUM baby and changed its name to RUFORUM to accommodate the wider African Region needs for social capacity and human development. To date it is the fastest growing, a thought leader, that has demonstrated to retain 98% of its trained man power within Africa most of whom are in leadership positions; and close to attaining the 50% gender parity currently at above 40%. The RUFORUM train has to be asked to slow down its growth in order not to frustrate the network members and beneficiaries while balancing regional representation. The RUFORUM setup is very conducive because it gets its funding from the Universities through subscriptions; grants from donors; contributions of member universities to the staff mobility project; partnerships and cloud resource mobilisation. It is through the RUFORUM lens that the thought piece paper is envisioning the future of Africa and the needed action. In order to put the thought piece into context the situation of African education need to be analysed.
Current Africa situation
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 1 billion people, half of whom are under 25 years old by 2050, is a diverse continent offering human and natural resources that have the potential to yield inclusive growth and eradicate poverty in the region; enabling Africans across the continent to live healthier and more prosperous lives. With the world’s largest free trade area and a 1.2-billion-person market, the continent is creating an entirely new development path, harnessing the potential of its resources and people.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) interacts with members of the 2nd Mak-HUC.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
All applications must be submitted electronically via the Makerere University Electronic Human Resource Management System through the above link (ehrms). Applicants will be required to provide the necessary information on the ehrms and attach the following documents:
An application letter clearly stating the job applied for and duly signed by the applicant.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae. The curriculum must also state the names and addresses of at least three referees.
Copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
A minimum of three recommendation letters duly signed by the referees.
The application should be addressed to:
The Chief Human Resource Officer Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala