General
Makerere Inducts the 2nd Cohort of IGE Fellows for Uganda
Makerere University recruited the first Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Cohort 2021 in December 2020 and subsequently launched the program in June, 2021 with six (6) senior public servants nominated from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Planning Authority (NPA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
This first cohort 2021 has undergone a full year capacity building and is slated for graduation and crowning with the title, “IGE fellows” to become IGE change agents and trainers in their different Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“Makerere University IGE in Practice” is a collaborative programme between Makerere University’s Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak) Center and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden fully funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Other participating countries are Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The program is aimed at strengthening Uganda’s capacity for transformation towards an Inclusive Green Economy largely under the United Nations SDG 8 that focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
The program focuses on the use of environmental policy instruments, and specifically economic instruments such as environmental taxes, pollution fees, subsidies or subsidy reduction and other types of fiscal incentives for societal development in line with the Global Agenda 2030.
On 17th March 2022, EfD-Mak center organized a Training of Trainers workshop as the final activity for the pioneer IGE Cohort 2021 and a platform to share lessons learnt and what they have done in National Policy Reviews in the previous year with the new IGE cohort 2022.
The blended workshop held physically and online was graced by IGE program leader from the EfD Global Hub at the University of Gothenburg Sweden Prof. Anders Ekbom and the co-programme leader Emelie César. It was also attended by graduate students from Makerere.
Makerere University IGE Program Policy Engagement Specialist Peter Babyenda said the workshop was the last for the IGE fellows 2021 who had been taken through the IGE principles, policies and what to do to achieve the IGE goals.
Babyenda said the pioneer fellows were trained online due to COVID-19. The program also held a grand workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Uganda where all participating countries joined to present their national environment and natural resources-related policies for review.
“We also did a review of all existing IGE policies in Uganda and today our IGE fellows have been disseminating to us and the new fellows what they have learnt from forestry sector, urbanization, energy and the agricultural sector” he said.
The workshop inaugurating the new cohort 2022 was officially opened by the Principal, College of Business and Management Studies (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali on 17th March 2022 at the EfD-Mak Conference room in the Central Teaching Facility Two at Makerere University.
Dr. Hisali congratulated the IGE Cohort 2021 upon their resilience to work in an environment which combines office work and training, expressing hope that they will put into practice everything they have learnt.
“We are still having a challenge in this country that the concept of Inclusive Green Economy and inclusive green growth generally still has a very limited audience. There are very many people in the private sector and government and elsewhere who have limited knowledge on what this inclusive green economy is”, Dr. Hisali said.
Hisali congratulated and challenged the IGE pioneers to integrate what they learnt into the workplace and implored them to support the university whenever called upon to give guest lectures and undertake joint research.
The Principal hailed the program facilitators for the good work done in capacity building even during the COVID-19 lockdown, and thanked Sida for the continued support to Makerere University programmes.
Dr. Hisali welcomed and congratulated the new IGE Cohort 2022 assuring them that they were in the right place. He highlighted a number of issues that the cohorts should be interested in answering as they embark on the journey.
“Our growth of Uganda’s economy has been largely driven by unsustainable use of natural resources. What interventions then, are we going to put in place as a country to enhance productivity of our resources so that we see growth coming in from increased productivity and less on unsustainable use of natural resources”, Dr. Hisali asked.
The other challenge that IGE fellows ought to take note of according to Dr. Hisali is how to go about the income inequality and high population growth rates accompanied by the fact that many of the people are clustered around the poverty line with about 40-42% living on less than 1.9 dollars a day. These, he said, will intuitively resort to exploitation of natural resources.
Dr. Hisali also observed that Uganda has a number of IGE projects spread across the private and public sectors involving many individuals, but with very limited synergies because they are scattered and isolated.
“The other challenge is that we are focused on pursuing a private sector led growth which in its self is not a problem, but in my own view, has a number of disadvantages .The challenge with respect to Inclusive Green Economy is that many private sector actors may not give enough attention to the issue of sustainable growth. They may be driven in the short term by the profit, motive to maximize the returns on their investment, and the situation is made worse because of the weak regulatory framework.” Hisali decried
Program objectives
Speaking online, the IGE Programme leader from University of Gothenburg, Prof. Anders Ekbom said the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) in Practice is Capacity Development Programme for Senior Civil Servants and Policy makers.
Prof. Ekbom explained that besides strengthening research –policy interface, the IGE program is to strengthen countries’ capacity for transformation to an Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) – through increased knowledge and application of economic and environmental policy instruments, organizational change, and strengthened national systems for inclusive and sustainable economic development.
He further said the countries’ capacities are strengthened at three levels namely Individual, organizational and system level.
”At individual level, the objectives include increased understanding of IGE and the application of environmental economic instruments, increased knowledge of organizational changes and expanded international, regional and national networks.
At organisational level, the aim is increased capacity for IGE and application of economic instruments, increased priority on IGE and economic instruments and IGE projects and support for ongoing IGE work and processes.
And at system level, the program objectives include improved cooperation between organizations and sectors in the country and region, strengthened IGE system and transformations towards IGE and application of useful environment economic instruments”, Prof. Ekbom explained.
The Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale commended the the centre staff and Makerere University Management for supporting and providing an environment that is conducive for the IGE program to thrive.
Prof. Bbaale welcomed the students, as well as IGE 2021 and 2022 cohorts to the workshop.
”It is an exciting opportunity having the IGE 2021 fellows building capacity of their fellow workers and even for ourselves on what they have done and learnt for the year on Inclusive Green Economy training for senior public servants. This is a great opportunity and moment”, he said.
Bbaale thanked all the stakeholders from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies for considering IGE program as a great opportunity and nominating the senior colleagues to participate in the training program.
The Director thanked the Global hub for organising the program and meeting on the mandate despite the COVID-19 challenges.
Bbaale extended gratitude to the Sida and the EfD Global hub for financing the program and expressed the centre’s commitment to deliver on her mandate.
Participants speak out on the training
Aloo Steven doing Masters of Arts in Economics, Policy and Planning Makerere University said he learnt about how to incorporate issues of environment in development, and how to have a smart city.
” I wish this kind of training continues. I have seen the training is on the higher level and I wish it can be brought to the lower level to bring students to cause a mindset change among the young people on how to keep the environment green”.
Ronald Kagwa, a pioneer IGE fellow from the National Planning Authority (NPA) said, ”This is a very good way to begin a new program. The second lot of IGE fellows have learnt the lessons we picked from the second program, what they need to do and I think they have got a better understanding of the program, is to come up with policies relevant to combating the sustainable development challenges of the country, the need for partnerships and they should come up with policies that address the national objectives.”
Racheal Nabasirye is an IGE Cohort 2022 Fellow and a planner in the Directorate of Policy, Research and Innovation, NPA. She said, ”The IGE workshop was very insightful. I learnt a lot about the environment, how we can make our economy green through the different sectors, agriculture, transport and I think we need to push it to the private sector as one of the major players as well as strengthen our institutions to further this course”.
Robert Chuchu, the Ag.Director Strategy at Kampala Capital City Authority and also an IGE Cohort 2022 Fellow said he found the training very interesting, engaging and worthwhile.
’The IGE programme has a lot to contribute to improve our country and as we bring together experts and building skills and capacities of the different civil servants, policy makers and other players in the development of our city, it is critical as we deliberate on issues that concern the environment and the green economy. Green economy is the future in every aspect because it is crosscutting in all our lives and we must be able to appreciate these principles and how to promote them”.
Jane Anyango, EfD-Mak Centre
When a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) visited Makerere University on 23rd July 2026, one of the biggest discussions was how universities can effectively manage research grants.
The MUST delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika, visited Makerere to learn from the University’s experience in managing externally funded research projects. During the meeting, Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe revealed that while MUST managed research grants worth about UGX 13 billion in the last financial year, Makerere’s research portfolio now stands at approximately USD 250 million.
The discussion focused on the systems, policies and accountability measures that have enabled Makerere to manage one of the largest research portfolios in Africa.
Research Funding Built on Trust.
Prof. Nawangwe explained that Makerere’s research funding comes from different colleges and research units.
He noted that the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) alone attracts about USD 70 million annually, while the School of Public Health receives approximately USD 30 million each year. Together, the two units account for nearly USD 100 million in research funding.
He said these grants are made possible because development partners trust the University to manage public resources responsibly.
“We must ensure proper accountability so that we don’t lose the trust of our donors and continue benefiting from their support,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
How Makerere Manages Research Grants.
Acting University Secretary Mr. Simon Kizito took the MUST delegation through the key requirements that every grant funded project must meet under Makerere’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).
He explained that every research project must first be included in the University’s approved budget in line with the Public Finance Management Act before any funds can be spent.
He also emphasized that procurement under research grants must comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act, regardless of the donor’s procurement guidelines.
“The Auditor General will pounce on you” if procurement procedures are not followed, he cautioned.
Mr. Kizito further explained that all assets purchased using grant funds, including vehicles and equipment, must be recorded in the University’s central assets register unless the funding agreement states otherwise.
He added that separate project bank accounts can only be opened with approval from the Accountant General, while all projects must submit both financial and narrative reports to funders and government and undergo regular audits.
University Bursar Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha noted that although grant funds do not appear directly in the University’s main financial statements, they are fully disclosed in the notes to the accounts and are audited annually before reports are submitted to Parliament.
Lessons from the Research and Innovation Fund.
The delegation also learnt about the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Representing the Fund, Dr. Roy William Mayega said Mak-RIF has invested about UGX 172 billion in research and innovation over the last seven financial years.
He explained that 70 percent of the funding supports competitive research grants, 10 percent is reserved for projects addressing national priorities, while the remaining funds support monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of research findings.
According to Dr. Mayega, the Fund has so far supported 1,480 research and innovation projects, with 53% completed and 47% still ongoing.
Looking Beyond Research Grants.
Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships Prof. Robert Wamala encouraged the visiting delegation to look beyond simply winning research grants.
He emphasized the importance of investing in strong internal systems, using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, and ensuring that research leads to publications, patents, commercialization and partnerships with industry.
He noted that universities should not only focus on attracting grants but also on translating research into solutions that benefit society.
Learning from Makerere’s experience.
Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika said MUST recently established a Research Institute to coordinate research activities and grant management under one structure. She explained that the University wanted to learn from Makerere’s experience as its own research portfolio continues to grow.
“We have come to learn from your achievements as well as the challenges, so that we can do things better,” she said.
She added that the visit marks the beginning of closer collaboration between the two institutions, with a follow up technical engagement planned to allow the MUST team to learn more about Makerere’s grant management systems, including the GAMSU online platform.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management on 23rd July 2026 hosted a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika. The visit follows the formation of the Grants Office under the newly opened MUST Research Institute. This delegation was therefore keen to benchmark Makerere University’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)’s experience as the office responsible for managing all MUST’s research and innovation funding takes shape.
Welcoming the delegation, most of whom are alumni of Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MUST on strides made in human capacity development throughout the 37 years of existence, particularly in the health sciences.
“We have collaborated in various areas, particularly in medicine – I see many of our researchers publishing together, and we have joint programmes, especially in HIV/AIDS research” the Vice Chancellor remarked, before adding “Our collaboration in medicine is very strong, and it would be good to expand this collaboration to other disciplines.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that although this was a benchmarking visit, the learning process is two-way and as such, the team from Makerere is equally keen to learn from their MUST counterparts. “As a slightly smaller university, you may have more time to reflect on issues than we do,” he explained.
In her remarks, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Management for accepting to host the benchmarking delegation, noting that it was a homecoming visit for her and several colleagues. She equally acknowledged that collaborations in Medicine take the lion’s share of existing work between two intuitions.
“Our largest faculty, formerly the Faculty of Medicine, has recently been renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences to better reflect its broader mandate. However, our other faculties include: Faculty of Science, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (Engineering)” she explained.
She added that in 2026, MUST established the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, and is restructuring the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies to strengthen its focus as a science and technology university. Away from academia, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika shared that MUST’s hitherto semi-autonomous research centres had been brought under the umbrella of a Research Institute, “to provide a coordinated framework for research.”
They include the Centre of: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine; Innovation and Technology Transfer; Tropical Forest Conservation; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Entrepreneurship; and Public Policy and Economic Data.
Turning to the gist of the visit, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika noted that as MUST continues to restructure its units and grow it’s grants portfolio, tapping into Makerere University’s wealth of experience in attracting and managing funding from both the Government and development partners is inevitable.
“Makerere, as the leading university in the country, continues to support other universities, and we would like to benefit from that experience,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika remarked. “We hope to learn from both your achievements and your challenges so that we can improve our own systems” she concluded.
The meeting was attended by the Acting University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Research, Innovation and Partnerships-Prof. Robert Wamala, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head GAMSU- Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Member of Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Coordinator-Dr. Roy William Mayega and Advancement Office’s Mr. Vincent Lubega Nsamba.
The MUST delegation included; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Robert Bitariho, University Secretary-Mr. Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora, and Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Prinari Behangana. Others included Finance Manager-CPA Annah Atuhaire, MUST Research Institute Chief Research Officer-Assoc. Prof. Angella Musiimenta, Principal Legal Officer-Mr. Timothy Mugumya, Deputy Secretary (Planning)-Ms. Robinah Nakakeeto and Dean Faculty of Business and Management Sciences-Dr. John Baguma Kule.
By Murungi Gloria N.
Building a century of excellence, Makerere University Strategic Plan 2026-2030 lays a clear roadmap to strengthen research, innovation, transformative education as well as national and global development over the next five years.
Makerere University launches the strategic plan 2025-2030 central (c) Hon. Henry Musasizi, left (L) Mrs. Lorna Magara, second right Guild President Makerere University, third right Prof. Barnabus Nawangwe
On Thursday 2nd July 2026, at Makerere Main Campus, the launching event gathered government leaders, development partners, university leaders and dignitaries such the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, representative of the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority as well as the University Vice Chancellor. Makerere launched its strategic plan under the theme; ‘Optimizing the University’s Research Potential for National and Global Transformation.’
Preparing the strategic plan
‘Preparing this plan has been a process,’ the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Herny Alinaitwe said. He emphasized that the strategic plan was developed through careful consultation, review and participation rather than being created in isolation. The previous Makerere University plan used to have long term of 10years. However, around 2019-2020 the National Planning Authority advised to adjust to the five years of National Development Plan (NDP IV) ensuring that the University contributes directly to the country’s development.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe
Accelerating to national transformation
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, began his speech by reaffirming University’s long-term vision. ‘Our vision is to be an outstanding leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development.’ He added the Makerere’s mission is to provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research and service responsive to dynamic national and global needs.
He emphasised that the new strategic plan is designed to transform Makerere into a research-led University and for this to happen we need to have more than 419 professors and 473 associate professors. Currently the university has 73 professors and 144 associate professors.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
‘We are not removing undergraduate programmes but we want to reduce them gradually and increase graduate numbers because those are the ones going to do the innovations and transform the economy,’ continued Prof. Nawangwe. He stressed the postgraduate students play a crucial role in research and innovation and increasing postgraduates from 10% to 16.1% enrolment is therefore central to achieving the University’s vison of becoming a leading research institution.
He said, ‘Makerere University continues to contribute its fair share to transforming human capital in the country and economic development.’ He thanked and encouraged the government and other partners to further increase the goodwill towards the institution.
‘Today marks not the end of the process but the beginning of an even greater responsibility it’s successful implementation,’ noted the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara. reminded stakeholders that the launch is only the first step and its success will depend on faithful implementation.
She highlighted the central roles of higher education, research and innovation in Uganda’s economic transformation. ‘Let us therefore move with courage, lead with integrity, purse excellence without compromise and together we will build a much stronger Makerere for a stronger Uganda.’
Transformation objectives
Prof. Nawangwe and the chairperson University Council Mrs. Lorna presented possible targets in the strategic plan, among them increasing PhD student enrolment from 15% to 35%, registered patents from 15 to 45, commercialised innovations from 25 to 65, STEM enrolment from 32% to 55%, postgraduate enrolment from 3700 to 7000 by 2030 and raise graduate employability from 45% to 65%within six months of graduation.
Mrs. Lorna Magara
Government commitment to the strategic plan
Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi launched the strategic plan 2025-2030 describing it as a timely and forward-looking roadmap that aligns with Uganda’s vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Hon. Henry Musasizi
‘This Strategic plan comes at an important time as the country works to grow its economy from about USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040.’
The Chief Guest, Hon. Herny Musasizi noted that Uganda’s ambition to expand its economy from approximately USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040 will require sustained investment in research, innovation, industrialisation and human capital development, with universities playing a central role in achieving these aspirations.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue working with Makerere University to build a growing income, industrialised and knowledge driven economy while stressing accountability, innovation and the need to apply research in solving Uganda’s development hardships. He also commended Makerere for aligning its strategic priorities with national development goals, explaining that such alignment would facilitate government support and resource allocation through the national budgeting process.
Leading to national economic transformation through universities
Reflecting on the central role of higher education in Uganda’s economic transformation, Samuel Kasule, the Senior Planner for Education and Skills, National Planning Authority appreciated Makerere roles.
Samuel Kasule
‘At the cornerstone of increased labour productivity is the role of universities especially in supporting the high impact sectors identified in the tenfold growth strategy,’ Mr. Kasule remarked.
He elaborated that universities are expected to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to drive innovation across sectors such as minerals, oil and gas, agro-industrialisation, tourism and agriculture. He also argued the by producing highly skilled human capital as well as fostering innovation institutions like Makerere University will play a pivotal role in increasing labour production and accelerate economic growth achieving Uganda’s ambition of becoming a USD500 billion from USD50 billion under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Conclusion
Guided by its strategies direction of excellence, accountability, professionalism, integrity and respect together with inclusivity, the University has reinforced its commitment to advancing quality education, research and innovation. The launch of strategic plan 2025-2030 reflects this commitment by positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development and transformation, consistent with national priorities.
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