General
Hon. Dr. Musenero Launches NORHED Week, Calls for Industry-Impacting Research
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI), Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero on Monday 25th April, 2022 presided over the opening ceremony of the NORHED Week in Uganda and rallied researchers to ensure that their findings flow beyond academia into communities. She noted that the value chain approach adopted by the National Science, Technology and Innovation agenda necessitates that research produces industry-ready prototypes that feed into commercialisation and subsequently, the market. She prayed that this agenda would be at the back of researchers’ and funders’ minds as they embark on the next phase of projects.
Set to be held from 25th to 29th April 2022, the Week will create a platform for researchers who won grants under NORHED II to meet and share experiences as well as discuss possible links and synergies across projects. Furthermore, the Week will create a platform for researchers to discuss how NORHED can contribute to strengthening higher education and research in Uganda. NORHED is the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development.
In his welcome remarks, the day’s Moderator, NORHED Coordinator and Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi noted that Makerere University is participating in 19 of Uganda’s 21 NORHED II projects, a proportion he described as the “lion’s share”. A total of 60 projects were awarded globally under NORHED II funding, set to run from 2021 to 2026.
“We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial cooperation and now have ample evidence that Norway invests in knowledge and competence building and prides itself in the knowledge society with ability to create and make practical use of the new scientific discoveries.
“This is a shared vision at Makerere and we are committed to continue playing this important role because we believe the knowledge economy is the way to go. It is heartwarming to see that Makerere is contributing enormously to the National Development Plan through research output, dissemination and outreach activities” remarked Prof. Buyinza.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his remarks shared that all 19 projects that Makerere is participating in are designed to address multidisciplinary themes, steered by the University Strategic Plan 2020-2030. “Indeed, strategic investment in research lays the foundation for development of any country’s intellectual strategies, competent workforce, progressive leaders, gender equality and human rights.”
Prof. Nawangwe added that NORAD; the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, and other development partners have played a fundamental role in augmenting Internally Generated Funds at Makerere University, which has helped to substantially tackle the shortage of funds for research and infrastructural development.
“Makerere now has one of the best research management infrastructures on the African continent largely due to the support of the Norwegian Government” he added.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the Norwegian Government for enhancing Makerere‘s capacity to train PhDs locally, which has drastically reduced the number of staff trained entirely in Norway or on sandwich programmes.
“Out of the 100 PhDs, 85 are locally trained and only 15 staff members will go on sandwich training, which would not have been possible 30 years ago. When we started, almost all the students had to go to Norway” added Prof. Nawangwe.
Addressing participants, the Head of Delegation, Ms. Solbjørg Sjøveian said that NORHED is not only about strengthening Universities but the long-term effects that this capacity building has on societies. She added that NORHED seeks to build equitable partnerships for mutual learning and knowledge sharing with a strong South-South component, that enables younger less-established universities to learn from their more-established peers.
“One example is Makerere University which has taken a regional role in contributing to strengthening other universities both in Uganda and neighbouring countries like South Sudan” said Ms. Sjøveian. “Makerere is an important partner for Norad. As an institution you have strong commitment and dedication by both individual researchers as well as at unit level” she added.
The Head of Delegation therefore paid tribute to this pivotal role played by Makerere University in the region, especially as the institution celebrates her centenary anniversary.
Echoing the Head of Delegation’s pivotal role remark, Arne Haug the Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Uganda who represented the Ambassador H.E. Elin Østebø Johansen emphasised that it is important to strengthen the research capacity at Makerere University.
“Makerere is the leading institution in Uganda and therefore provides the largest number of human resources to other universities. Norway’s support has therefore not just focused on Makerere but it has evolved and responded to the ever changing needs in Higher Education in Uganda” remarked Mr. Haug.
He took note of the; School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering, School of Women and Gender Studies, School of Computing and Informatics Technology buildings as well as furnishing of the Main Library Extension as some of the physical infrastructure that had been built with support from Norway on Makerere‘s “beautiful” Main Campus. The Vice Chancellor later brought to light that the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) Extension was the last and largest infrastructural undertaking by the Norwegian Government at the Main Campus.
Prior to declaring the NORHED Week open, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, a self-confessed student of Vision 2040 and its constituent National Development Plans (NDPs), thanked the Norwegian Government and other development partners for laying the foundation upon which Higher Education would contribute to the attainment of Uganda’s development objectives.
Hon. Dr. Musenero shared that whereas NDP I (2010/11-2014/15) had been aimed at “addressing the fundamentals”, NDP II (2015/16-2019/20) focused on “putting up basic infrastructures”. Turning to the current NDP III (2020/21-2024/24), she shared that a decision had been taken to introduce a new institutional framework with a shift from sector to programme implementation. This shift, it is envisaged will enable Uganda to put to use the baseline human resource that had been trained and infrastructure that has been put in place to take off on the industrialisation tangent.
“Over these past years and with the support of partners like Norway and many other agencies, we have worked on a number of things such as the development of human resource. I was one of the first people who were sent out on a programme from Makerere called Agricultural Research and Training Project (ARTP) in 1994.
“And we really appreciate the support of our partners. We started by taking people abroad because we didn’t have any capacity and then we moved to sandwich programmes and now as I have been informed, we are shifting to developing people on the ground” acknowledged the Honourable Minister.
Turning back to the current phase of development under NDP III, Hon. Dr. Musenero invited the delegation from NORHED and other partners to move in step with the National strategy that seeks to promote research that results into products. The shift to product-centric research, she noted, would inspire the growth of industries that would in turn create the jobs, and eventually the environment that sustains the welfare of the youth.
“Our focus in NDP III is to invite and request all the partners to see how we can now tackle the issue of employment, and science and technology has been given the pivotal role, because if we do not translate these computer laboratories and infrastructure into jobs, we shall still have the problem and cheat the leaders of the future” remarked Hon. Dr. Musenero.
The official opening was followed by a Keynote address on “Digitalization and gender inclusiveness in teaching, research and administration in Uganda-Post Covid-19 era” by Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, and discussion led by Dr. Dorothy Okello. This was followed by the second keynote address by Dr. Vincent Ssembatya on “PhD training as a pillar in Uganda’s Economic and Sustainable Development”, which was discussed by Prof. John David Kabasa.
The NORHED Week itinerary prepared by a team led by Assoc. Prof. John Mango, will feature presentations by projects categorised according to sessions on Education and Health (5 projects), Humanities and Social Sciences (6 projects) as well as Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy (10 projects). On Wednesday 27th April, the Delegation will meet Members of Makerere University Management, visit selected NORHED-II project Research Labs/Research Sites and on Thursday 28th April, visit Makerere University Business School (MUBS). The delegation will crown the week by meeting the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology on Friday 29th April 2022.
By Bernard Buteera & Carol Kasujja Adii
Moses Eteku, a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni at Makerere University and the co-founder of a Kampala-based youth Fintech start-up Farmpawa, has been selected among the finalists for a prestigious global award for the project.
Farmpawa is a crowd-farming platform that connects investors with tangible farming assets, empowering farmers and driving sustainable agricultural growth.
The start-up had an opportunity to showcase its strategic plan, which, once realized, could benefit many young people from the region.
The contest, which sought to identify the most viable youth project with an economic impact on the community, attracted over 300 teams from 30 countries in Africa and the rest of the world.
Moses Eteku, 27, founded Farmpawa with two partners, Medard Mutatina and Osborn Gumoshabe, in 2023. The project was selected as one of the ten semi-finalists in the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech.
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech is designed to expand small businesses’ access to capital and financial services in emerging and frontier markets.
According to research, in 70% of emerging markets, SMEs are the primary source of formal employment, accounting for 70% of jobs.
Moses described the win as a miracle and an eye-opener, saying other participants presented world-class proposals.
“Most of my competitors were far advanced. I could not imagine I would be selected,” he said with a smile during the interview.
With this fund, Moses and his partners, Medard and Osborn, envision a future where agriculture bridges the gap, reduces inequality, and transforms the lives of farmers and individuals across Uganda and beyond.
Semi-finalists will participate in an Innovation Showcase at the Milken Institute’s Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on December 5 to 6, 2024.
Each semi-finalist team receives $100,000 in funding. Three teams will be selected to move on to the final round, where they will compete for the $1 million Grand Prize.
Who is Moses Eteku
Eteku, a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni from Makerere University, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.
His passion for changing the community has led him to start several projects, including giving the youth a chance to showcase their talents and connect them with relevant organizations and companies.
While at the University, he developed an interest in managing software. He repaired his classmates’ laptops and earned some money. In his third year, he decided to learn another skill. He teamed up with other members and built business solutions. He developed applications that improved the operations of organisations such as Makerere University Hospital, where he worked on the MakRTI mobile application.
One of his significant achievements was developing the MakRTI App, an Android-based mobile application designed to promote reproductive health awareness and improve access to treatment for students at Makerere University. The app provided critical information about reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and facilitated access to healthcare services through appointments and direct communication with specialists.
He also developed an app for students to access the Uganda Museum. Instead of going to the museum and waiting in line to pay, Students would book online, which eases access. At the same time, students can remotely access study materials like archives while at home.
Even when he completed University, he continued using various projects to educate youth on emerging issues.
Among his most impactful initiatives is Kauntabook, a financial record-keeping app targeting SMEs and individuals. The app simplifies financial management by offering tools to track income, expenses, and other bookkeeping functions. With over 800 users, Kauntabook continues to evolve based on user feedback, reflecting Eteku’s commitment to creating user-centric solutions.
Starting Farmpawa
Farmpawa was born from a shared vision among Moses, Medard and Osborn: to empower smallholder farmers in Uganda. Medard, then a Makerere University Business School student, Suggested to Moses and interested him in an idea he had seen in South Africa.
“I researched about it, and we decided to team up and pursue the idea,” Eteku said.
Together, they created a platform that connects farmers with investors, unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth in rural communities.
They aim to make agricultural investment accessible to all, enabling local economies to develop and foster shared prosperity.
“Since the launch of Farmpawa, we have established strong connections between investors and farmers that have directly led to job creation, community development, and wealth generation,” Eteku asserted. They started the business with friends and family who trusted and invested.
Benefits
Initially needing more solid information technology skills, Moses Eteku is now an IT expert.
His opportunities to interact with the Company’s Chief Executive Officers have helped him to improve his entrepreneurship skills.
Farmpawa offers key benefits by empowering smallholder farmers with access to capital, enabling them to expand their operations and improve their livelihoods. It provides investors with easy and transparent access to agricultural investments, promoting job creation, community development, and sustainable agriculture while contributing to economic growth and food security.
How Farmpawa works
Farmpawa enables users to invest in real farming assets while empowering smallholder farmers. Users begin by creating an account and funding their wallet through mobile money or bank transfers. With funds in their wallet, they can explore and select farming projects or assets, such as livestock, and purchase portions as shares added to their investment portfolio.
The platform has a dashboard where users can receive regular updates on project progress and asset performance, track deposit history, and receive tailored financial advice through a knowledge section. It ensures a transparent and efficient investment process while providing valuable farming insights.
Bernard Buteera and Carol Kasujja Adii form the Communications and Public Relations Team at Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University.
Over 60 finalists and Graduating former student leaders from different Universities in Uganda, have been called upon to be active champions of peace in order to mitigate conflicts.
During the training conducted by Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), at Makerere University, experts on peace and security noted that they are engaging the youth in peace training because they are the current and future architects of unity and peace in Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony today (Tuesday 3rd December,2024), Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, the Executive Director of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, noted that the most important aspects of transformative leadership in particular, cannot be achieved, unless young people are equipped with the necessary skill sets as leaders that enable them forge solid partnerships to lead.
Dr Muwanga explained that JNLC is committed to continue to honour the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere by espousing his ideas and leadership ideals to realise the African liberation agenda, especially through empowering the youth.
Therefore, JNLC’s trainings go beyond traditional leadership ideologies. According to Dr. Muwanga, at their core is the emphasis on the importance of servant leadership, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, mental health and well-being, which are crucial elements for cultivating creative and resilient leaders who can navigate the challenges ahead with confidence and clarity.
Addressing students, Angella Kasekende, the Project Manager at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa, reminded students that if they want to be good leaders, they need to be disciplined, consistent and have the drive and passion to contribute positively to their communities.
“We believe that young people can play a vital role in peace building, but many may not be able to access resources or get support to understand what it entails, gain the necessary skills and opportunities to be able to take part in peace and security initiatives, that is why we are pleased to provide such a platform,” Kasekende said.
According to Kasekende, the conflicts in the different parts of the world, such as the Ukraine-Russia war in Eastern Europe, the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East, and the Sudanese war in East Africa, have led to a decline of security in different regions. She implored the students to take these trainings seriously to in order to understand and participate in the debates and practical measures designed to ensuring sustainable peace and development in Uganda and the region.
During the training, students were tipped on what it means to be involved in negotiations, understand the basics of conflict analysis, the links of emotional intelligence in peace and conflict resolution, how to evaluate peace building initiatives, the use of social media to advocate for peace and how to develop an action plan.
In his presentation, Philip Kasaija, an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University, provided a deeper understanding of the situational analysis of peace and security issues in the region to help participants to grasp the complexities of current challenges.
“The Horn of Africa, is one of the conflict prone regions of the world. Therefore, youth who are part of the problem have to be part of the solution. Uganda’s problems can be addressed through dialogue. As youth, you have to stay away from conflicts because if conflicts happen, it will be the youth and women to suffer,” Prof Kasaija said.
During the training, Dr Edward Silvestre Kaweesi, from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, cautioned the students leaders that they should never think of engaging in any conflict. He stressed that there is nothing constructive that comes with conflicts in a country.
“Don’t be deceived that you are going to be young for long, at all costs, one is supposed to avoid instances that drive people to conflicts. Violent conflicts come at a very high cost and can waste your youthful years,” Dr Kaweesi said.
Dr Kaweesi pointed out that in addition to consuming resources that could otherwise be used to cater for other essentials of life, conflicts can claim life.
“Civilisation has crumbled because of violence. Symbols of modernity like cities have been destroyed and population have been traumatized by violence and trust has been fractured. To avoid all that, a culture of peace needs to be cultivated among the youths,” Dr Kaweesi noted.
Dr. Gardner H. Rwakiseta, the Program Coordinator at JNLC, emphasized the importance of self-awareness and self-knowledge in resolving conflict and fostering sustainable peace. He noted that -emotional intelligence and mental wellness are vital for peace-building. “Do not hold on to your emotions, if crying will help you heal, cry even if you are a man,” he stated.
Dr. Solomon Winyi, a lecturer and coordinator of graduate programs in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, had an engaging session that highlighted how digital platforms can drive peace efforts and advocacy.
“Always develop content, videos and social media posts that advocate for peace initiatives. As digital natives, navigate online spaces and counter misinformation and articulate your perspectives because you represent a dynamic force in shaping the narratives surrounding social media and peace advocacy,” he said.
Dr. Winyi explained that using visuals such as infographics and videos, enhances the reach of peace advocacy messages.
“Integrating statistical data and personal testimonies into posts strengthens the arguments, demonstrating the real-world impact of peace initiatives,” Dr. Winyi said.
Speaking about financial literacy in conflict and peace building, Gloria Namata, a financial expert, pointed out that financial crisis ignites conflicts and therefore encouraged students to ensure that they leave the University with skills that will help them earn a living before they get the kind of jobs they desire. “Every time you make money, make sure you save 20%. The money you save is the payment to yourself. As you are saving, make sure you have a plan of investing and make an investment that is going to add value to you. Even if it is small or long term, invest and never despise humble beginnings,” Namata, guided.
General
Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence Launches Training on Economic and Stakeholder Analysis
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence, housed at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, has commenced its advanced capacity-building training on Economic and Stakeholder Analysis. This two-week program has attracted economists from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Uganda, emphasizing the importance of integrated investment appraisal in public sector decision-making.
The training was officially opened today by Dr. Hennery Sebukeera, representing the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED). In his remarks, Dr. Sebukeera acknowledged the collaborative efforts between MoFPED, Makerere University, and Cambridge Resources International (CRI), highlighting the program’s significance in equipping participants with expertise in evaluating the economic impacts of public projects. “This is a life changing opportunity for all of you attending this training,” Dr. Sebukeera, the Technical Adviser Budget, said.
A Platform for Excellence
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence and Principal of CoBAMS, expressed his gratitude to MoFPED for its financial support, which has been instrumental in sustaining the Centre’s initiatives. He also commended the participants’ resilience and commitment, as many are returning for their second phase of training following the completion of financial and risk analysis modules earlier this year.
“This advanced course blends theoretical frameworks with practical applications, enabling participants to appraise projects in critical sectors like roads, energy, water, and electricity from the perspective of the government budget and the economy,” said Prof. Bbaale.
A Collaborative Effort
The program features a robust partnership with Cambridge Resources International and Queen’s University in Canada, whose faculty members have played a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s public investment landscape. CRI’s Executive Director, Dr. Mikhail, will personally facilitate sessions on microeconomics, economic opportunity costs, and stakeholder analysis, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience through lab sessions and case studies.
Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor and faculty were also lauded for their unwavering support in ensuring the Centre’s success, which extends beyond training to research and advisory roles for the government. The Centre recently revised the Development Committee guidelines for MoFPED and assessed project performance under Uganda’s National Development Plans.
Empowering Future Experts
Participants will receive a prestigious tripartite certificate from Makerere University, MoFPED, and Queen’s University upon completion. Prof. Bbaale urged the participants to embrace their role as ambassadors of Integrated Investment Appraisal, applying their skills to improve resource allocation and fiscal responsibility in their respective MDAs.
With a mission to enhance public investment management practices, the Centre continues to build a legacy of excellence, contributing significantly to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
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