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PhD training as a pillar in Uganda’s Economic and Sustainable Development
Published
3 years agoon

On 26th October 2015, The Guardian run an article by Tom Kariuki with an alarming title, albeit with a promise. It read “Africa produces just 1.1% of global scientific knowledge – but change is coming”. Therein, Mr. Kariuki, the Director of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science (ASEA) noted that his institution had been founded by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the African Union’s New Partnership for African Development to award research grants to African universities, advise them on financial best practice and develop a science strategy for Africa.
Approximately seven (7) years later on 17th February 2022, the University World News website published an article by Wagdy Sawahel titled “Science output rising, but some countries’ yields still low” that showed that Africa had “made notable progress in the production of scientific knowledge in the past two decades, with a total share of 7.6% of contributions to the world of science and one-third of all international publications in tropical medicine.”
These revelations were made by Dr. Vincent Ssembatya on 25th April 2022 as he presented a rationale for PhD production to a visiting delegation from Norway. The delegation is attending the NORHED Week in Uganda, that is set to conclude on 29th April 2022 with a visit to the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).
“Among the top 10 high-producing countries in science in Africa there were six Sub-Saharan countries, namely; South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania” noted Dr. Ssembatya.
Coincidentally, South Africa which leads Sub-Saharan Africa pack at 437 also has the highest number of researchers per one million people. Uganda and Tanzania have 38 and 18 scientists per one million people respectively.
Dr. Ssembatya observed that the liberalisation of higher education in Uganda led to a more diverse and complex system, partly due to the growth in the number of public and private institutions and multiple stakeholders with diverging interests.
“Human resources were redistributed to support the elastic change in higher education provision with existing institutions seceding Human Resources to newly created ones; more PhDs were required to support the higher education system” he said.
Statistics shared by Dr. Ssembatya show that there are approximately 6,667 Higher Education students for every one million Ugandans, with only 44 of these being PhD holders. Whereas the current enrolment at universities requires more than 3,600 PhDs, the PhD count stood at only to 2,200 in 2020.
“PhD production capacity is stifled with about 100 PhDs per year with most of these produced at Makerere University. PhD productivity is coupled with research productivity in more ways than one; at Makerere every PhD student is required to have two publications, while the supervision of PhDs to completion is an incentive for promotion. Senior lectureship is required for supervision of PhDs” noted Dr. Ssembatya.
The PhD count at Makerere and the country as a whole could be attributed to the policy environment. Since the year 2000, Makerere University has had a requirement that every lecturer hold a PhD degree, the exception being the clinical medicine disciplines and those lecturers who were already serving prior to the policy enforcement. Furthermore, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has modified the requirement for a PhD in universities to allow for the hiring of registered PhD students who are progressing normally.
“The modification to the PhD requirement was compelled by the difficulties of attaining a sufficient number of PhDs. It is estimated that Uganda has about 2,200 PhDs, amidst a requirement for over 10,000 PhDs according to a 2011 publication by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).
“The current PhD deficit is over 8,000 PhDs. This deficit cannot be covered with the current production rate of about 100 PhDs per year” stressed Dr. Ssembatya.
Powell, Walter W.; Snellman, Kaisa (2004) define the knowledge economy or knowledge-based economy as an economic system in which the production of goods and services is based principally on knowledge-intensive activities that contribute to advancement in technical and scientific innovation. Statistics shared by Dr. Ssembatya revealed that Makerere accounts for 65% of the research output in Uganda. This statistic, coupled with the fact that the institution has the highest concentration of PhDs in Uganda shows a direct correlation between PhD numbers and knowledge production, an essential ingredient of the knowledge economy.

Discussing the presentation, Prof. John David Kabasa concurred that “a PhD should be a transformative tool helping us to get product and solutions to the market. Co-creation of knowledge at the level of PhD will liberate African from the conundrum of poverty.”
Furthermore, Prof. Kabasa pointed out the urgent need for PhDs to be anchored in the community so as to extract knowledge of the challenges faced and advise on policy formulation that is anchored and implementable at Local Government level.
Please see below for the presentation.
References
Powell, Walter W.; Snellman, Kaisa (2004). “The Knowledge Economy”. Annual Review of Sociology. 30 (1): 199–220. http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.29.010202.100037
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Strengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen
Published
1 day agoon
October 8, 2025By
Mak Editor
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.

The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.

However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.

The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.

Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.

The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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Makerere and Nelson Mandela University Move to Actualize Existing MoU
Published
2 days agoon
October 7, 2025By
Eve Nakyanzi
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.

Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.

The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
General
Vice Chancellor Updates Media on DVC AA Appointment, Acquisitions, Research & Various Issues
Published
2 days agoon
October 7, 2025By
Mak Editor
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Tuesday 7th October, 2025 held a press conference to update members of the Media on the; New Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Acquisition of Land in Kyankwanzi, Acquisition of 3 buses from Kiira Motors, Anti-Tick vaccine, Makerere Innovation Hub upgrade, Promotion of Student Freedoms and Responsible Leadership, Student Allowances, and Staff Hires and Exits.
The event held in the Council Room, Main Building, was attended by the DVC AA-Prof. Sarah Ssali, Ag. DVC F&A-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, Academic Registrar-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Dean of Students-Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, Deputy Chief – Public Relations-Ms. Eunice Rukundo, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and staff from the Offices of the Vice and Deputy Vice Chancellors.
The proceedings of the Press Conference follow below;
Vice Chancellors’ Press Statement
I welcome the media to this briefing. I would like to start by thanking our staff for their diligent and dedicated service to our University and Country.
In our teaching and learning, Makerere University seeks to respond to real-world problems within clearly defined industries and economic sectors. We align core university interventions with social economic transformation, by leveraging partnerships, technology, creative arts, sciences, research and innovations. We are committed to creating an enabling environment for both students and staff in order to produce graduates who are globally competitive, relevant and responsive to development needs.
To this end, we have made some strides that I would like to share, starting with the introduction of the new Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs.
1. Introduction of the New Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)
Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga on September 23rd 2025, appointed Professor Sarah Evelyn Nabwire Ssali as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs. Prof. Ssali has had a distinguished career at Makerere University spanning over two decades. Until her appointment, she was the Acting Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), having previously served as Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies (2017–2024). She is also the Director of the Centre of Excellence in African Identities under the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). An accomplished scholar, Prof. Ssali is a Professor of Gender and Development Studies and a prolific researcher. Beyond academia, she has contributed significantly to university governance, and also played a leading role in curriculum reviews and policy reforms.
I warmly congratulate Prof. Sarah Ssali on her appointment and look forward to her leadership in steering academic affairs to greater heights.
2. Acquisition of Land in Kyankwanzi Land
The University is delighted to report that, on September 26th, 2025, Makerere University officially received one square mile (approximately 640 acres) of land from the Government of Uganda. This land, located in Kyankwanzi District, has been earmarked for the establishment of a Makerere University Agro-Demonstration and Training Facility.
This facility will serve as a living laboratory for practical agricultural training, research, and community engagement. It will host demonstration farms, improved livestock breeds, and innovative technologies designed to transform subsistence agriculture into a productive, market-oriented enterprise. Through this initiative, Makerere will train farmers and extension workers in modern farming practices, sustainable land use, pest and disease control, climate-smart agriculture, and agribusiness management.
The Kyankwanzi project aligns with Makerere University’s broader mission to generate and disseminate knowledge that directly impacts communities and supports Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
3. Makerere Acquires 3 buses from Kiira Motors
I am pleased to announce that on September 27th, 2025, we strengthened our partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation through the acquisition of three modern buses. Of these, two are diesel-powered while the third is an electric bus, specifically brought to ease mobility of students and staff with special needs across campus.
This initiative speaks directly to our core values of inclusivity, equity, and care for all members of the university community. By ensuring that every student and staff can fully participate in academic life, Makerere continues to create a learning environment where everyone can thrive.
Our partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation reflects Makerere’s support for Uganda’s homegrown innovation ecosystem. That Kiira Motors was founded on research from within our own College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), is a demonstration of how university knowledge can be translated into practical solutions that serve society.
We extend our appreciation to the management and team at Kiira Motors for their generous contribution and continued collaboration. Together, we are not only advancing sustainable transport and green technology, but also reaffirming our shared vision of a modern, inclusive, and innovation-driven Uganda.
4. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION UPDATES
i. Anti- Tick vaccine
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) has successfully completed the formulation of an anti-tick vaccine, marking a major milestone in Makerere University’s contribution to Uganda’s livestock sector. The vaccine, which has demonstrated an efficacy rate of 86%, is expected to reduce calf mortality by 14% and significantly improve productivity across the livestock value chain. Uganda’s livestock industry currently contributes 19.4% to the national GDP, valued at approximately USD 17.09 billion.
Once fully developed and approved, the anti-tick vaccine is projected to reduce product losses in milk and meat by 11% and 29% respectively, and cut down on acaricide importation (An acaricide is a chemical substance used to kill ticks and mites). The vaccine is now awaiting clinical trials and regulatory approval from the relevant drug authorities before commercialization.
ii. Makerere University’s Innovation Hub upgraded
In 2022, we established an Innovation Hub dubbed the Unipod, which in 2024 got a grant from UNDP under the Timbukutoo Africa Initiative. The Unipod has now been formally upgraded to Makerere University Technology and Innovations Center (MUTIC) with the mandate to offer support to innovations university-wide.
MUTIC is a state-of-the-art innovation center that nurtures, incubates and accelerates ideas into companies. It has 10 makerspaces including Computer-Aided Design rooms, Textile space, Electrical space, Renewable Energy, E-Mobility, a Multimedia Studio among others.
The Center will be under the administration of a board of Directors chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration and comprising members from the student body, academic staff, government and the private sector.
5. STUDENT AFFAIRS
Promoting Student Freedoms and Responsible Leadership
Makerere University continues to make deliberate and progressive efforts to enhance student freedoms and participation in leadership.
In a development that reflects Makerere’s continued commitment to empower and nurture responsible future leaders, the University recently made the decision to reinstate open guild campaigns, which had previously been suspended following the tragic loss of a student during campaign activities. This decision was reached after extensive consultations with the Student Guild leadership, guided by our shared desire to restore a vibrant, participatory, and safe democratic culture on campus.
The resumption of open campaigns comes with a renewed understanding and agreement to balance freedom with responsibility, emphasizing peaceful and respectful campaigns that do not disrupt academic programmes or endanger persons, property, or businesses within and around the University.
As an institution that values dialogue, democracy, and responsible citizenship, we recognize that a truly great university must not only nurture academic excellence but also provide a space for free expression and engagement in governance.
Student Allowances
Students received some of their allowances in Quarter One and will receive the balance this quarter as soon as government releases the Quarter 2 funds. Management has met and harmonized with the Students leadership and we have committed to pay.
6. STAFF AFFAIRS
Staff Hires and Exits
There has been some media attention owing to the recent appointments and departures of staff from Makerere University. Allow me comment on this.
At its 769th meeting, the Makerere University Appointments Board appointed twenty-three (23) new members of staff, confirmed fifty-eight (58) members into University service, and also accepted resignations for eighteen (18) members of staff. Most of the colleagues who resigned went to take up other opportunities in various capacities. We congratulate all departing staff and wish them well in their new positions of service.
We recognize that transition is a natural process in all institutions of higher learning. The career growth and accomplishments of former Makerere staff reflects not only their individual achievements but also Makerere’s enduring role as a crucible for leadership and knowledge production.
It is important to acknowledge that while staff inevitably transition out of the University, Makerere maintains a robust recruitment pipeline to ensure that teaching, learning, and research remain uninterrupted. You will, therefore, note that while 18 staff left, 58 were confirmed and 23 joined the University’s service within the same period. Makerere, therefore, continues to demonstrate sound institutional planning and has in no way reneged on our responsibility to safeguard academic continuity for our students and partners.
End.
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