Natural Sciences
72nd Graduation: Doctoral Citations – CoNAS
ADAKU Christopher
Chemical Structure and Properties of Anthocyanins from Selected Plant Species from Uganda.
Mr. ADAKU Christopher investigated a class of bioactive phytochemicals known as anthocyanins from selected indigenous plants, with the purpose of identifying ingredients for the development of nutraceuticals and for application as natural food colourants. This follows the increasing availability of natural health products with unsubstantiated health claims and the health concern associated with the use of synthetic food colourants. During the study, eleven new and seven known compounds were isolated and their properties deciphered. The compounds exhibited colour and stability required for food colourant application and showed remarkable antioxidant activity which is indicative of their potential beneficial health effects. These findings will lead to the development of nutraceuticals and other natural health products with guaranteed safety and efficacy. The isolated compounds can also be used as natural functional food colurants, especially for colouring refrigerated foods such as yoghurt, ice cream and beverages. This study was funded by SIDA through DRGT and MUTHI and supervised by Prof. Byamukama Robert and Prof. Kiremire Bernard (RIP).
ANYWAR Godwin
Ethnopharmacology, cytotoxicity, antiviral and immunomodulatory profiles of medicinal plant species used by herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda
Mr. ANYWAR Godwin investigated the cytotoxicity, antiviral activity and immunomodulatory potential of medicinal plant species used by herbalists to treat people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uganda. The study was motivated by the fact that PLHIV widely use untested herbal medicines even when already on antiretroviral treatment. The results from this study showed several plant species are mainly used to treat opportunistic infections among PLHIV. Two of the most widely used plant species, Albizia coriaria and Warburgia ugandensis were highly toxic to the human glioblastoma cell line used (U87.CD4.CXCR4). Regression analysis also showed that the plant extracts had varying selective anti-HIV-1 activities in vitro. The plant extracts also elicited different immune responses by stimulating different cytokines from Peripheral Mononuclear Blood Cells (PMBCs). Godwin recommend testing of crude plant extract mixtures used by the herbalists, and isolating and testing pure compounds from the most promising plant species. The study was funded by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), and DAAD and supervised by Prof. Esezah Kakudidi, Dr. Andreas Shubert, Prof. Robert Byamukama and Prof. Christian Jassoy.
ENEKU John Paul
Optimization of the electrical resistivity of magnetron sputtered aluminium and boron co-doped zinc oxide thin films for solar cells.
Mr. ENEKU John Paul investigated co-doping of zinc oxide thin films with both aluminium and boron elements to develop a transparent thin film material of very low electrical resistivity for application as a transparent front electrode in thin film solar cells. This offers a low cost and eco-friendly alternative to the costly and toxic Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrode which currently dominates the solar cell market. The thin film based solar cells have the potential to significantly lower the price of photovoltaics based electricity. The investigation established that the co-doped zinc oxide thin film material can be used effectively as a transparent electrode in thin-film solar cells and can replace the costly standard Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). This study was funded by Makerere Universsity and International Science Program (ISP, Sweden) and supervised by Prof. Tom Otiti and Prof. Julius Mwabora.
BUTTIBWA Mary
Utilizing heated pollen and androgenesis pathways for the production of haploids in cassava
Ms. BUTTIBWA Mary investigated how heat-treatment of pollen facilitates production of haploids in cassava. Pollen, a fine powdery substance that comes from the male part of flowers and an equivalent of sperms animals, can be heat-inactivated and used hasten cassava embryo development. Because cassava’s reproduction cycle is too long it is difficult to quickly develop new varieties. The haploid technology can shorten this by 50%. Using heated pollen in pollination fostered the development of cassava embryos that further grew into haploid plants in a short time. The heated pollen germinated on the stigma but no fertilization was achieved; however, embryo development was stimulated. Early embryo rescue techniques rescued immature embryos on an artificial growth medium and re-generated into plants. This work contributes to the genetic improvement of cassava. The study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through The International Centre for Tropical Agriculture and was supervised by Prof. Arthur Tugume and Dr. Robert Kawuki.
INUWA Badamasi
Effect of xenoestrogenic substances on fish health and reproductive potential of Nile tilapia, Nile perch and lungfish from two-distinctly polluted sites of Lake Victoria: the “more polluted”
Mr. INUWA Badamasi studied the effect of xenoestrogenic substances on fish health and reproductive potential of Nile tilapia, Nile perch and lungfish from two-distinctly polluted sites of Lake Victoria: the “more polluted” (Kasenyi, Ggaba, Port bell, Jinja) and the “less polluted” (Kasensero, Bale, and Bukakata). The motivation for this research was the decline in the wild fish stocks population of Lake Victoria, attributable to several factors, including pollution. Specifically, the study examined the liver conditions and gonadal development of fishes under different levels of pollution. Severe liver alterations were higher in fishes from more polluted compared to those from less polluted areas. Indeed, the chemical contamination of Lake Victoria could have caused the liver lesions and other changes in the fishes. Overtime, such chemical contamination could lead to negative impacts on the consumption of fish and fish products if actions are not taken to mitigate the risks. This study was funded by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education and supervised by Assoc Prof Charles Masembe and Dr. Robinson Odong.
KITO Luliro Silas
The Numerical Range of Linear Relations and Stability Theorems.
Mr. KITO Luliro Silas studied the numerical range and stability theorems of linear maps on some mathematical spaces with the purpose of establishing the existence and uniqueness of solutions (solvability) to linear relation inclusions. In this study, he explored the effects of small alterations on certain maps between special spaces that are of mathematical interest in solving certain differential equations. The study found that within a certain degree of change, a small alteration on the map will not affect a particular set of characteristics of the map. These results are useful but not limited to; solving problems formulated when modelling airflow around an obstruction for example calculation of forces and moments on aircrafts, modelling fission weapon detonation, determination of mass flow rate of petroleum through pipelines, predicting weather patterns and ocean currents, solving fluid dynamics problems that require computation of fluid properties such as flow velocity, pressure, density and fluid temperature as functions of space and time. This study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Gerald Wanjala, Dr. Saul H. Nsubuga, Dr. Vincent. A. Ssembatya and Dr. Alex B. Tumwesigye.
KYOMUHANGI Annet
Reduced Modules Relative to Functors
Ms. KYOMUHANGI Annet’s study focused on the description of reduced modules and their dual using functors. She introduced and studied properties of a functor that measures how far a module defined over a commutative ring is from being reduced. She also found a machinery that allows one to associate a nil ideal to every ring. Since reduced modules are dualisable, Annet studied properties of their dual known as coreduced modules. She further introduced functors that describe coreduced modules and studied their properties. Moreover, she found that reduced modules simplify computations of local cohomology while coreduced modules simplify computations of local homology. The study was funded by Makerere-Sida bilateral programme (2015-2020); Project 316: Capacity building in Mathematics and its applications. Ms. Kyomuhangi was supervised by Dr. David Ssevviiri and Dr. Alex Samuel Bamunoba, both from Makerere University.
MAYANJA Edison
Mathematical Models for HIV-HCV Co-infection Dynamics under Various Control Strategies
Mr. MAYANJA Edison formulated mathematical models to study the dynamics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection. The HIV-HCV co- infection mathematical models which had been developed before, either ignored infection stages or considered HCV in only two stages of infection: the acute and chronic infection. However, the chronic stage of HCV is very long and consists of infected individuals that are asymptomatic yet infectious. Thus, this required deep analysis that had not been fully elucidated. In his study, he analysed the HCV chronic stage split it into: before onset of cirrhosis and its complications (Latent stage) and after onset of cirrhosis (Advanced stage). He used these mathematical models to investigate how HIV infection impacts the dynamics of HCV infection and vice versa. The study revealed that, increasing the rate of enrolment on HIV treatment reduces HCV prevalence and vice versa. Transmission probability per sexual contact and average number of sexual partners acquired per year were equally likely to result into increased HIV and HCV infections and these parameters were the most sensitive in increasing each of HIV and HCV infections. The study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Prof. Livingstone S. Luboobi, Prof. Juma Kasozi, and Dr. Rebecca N. Nsubuga.
NABAWANDA Olivia
Flattened partitions: Pattern Avoidance and Behavior of Permutation Statistics.
Ms. NABAWANDA Olivia studied a sorting procedure (run-sort function) on permutations, where runs are rearranged in lexicographic order. The aim of the study was to investigate the behavior of the run-sort function with different permutation statistics namely runs, descents, peak-values and left-right minima. Olivia used Mathematica, a computation/mathematical software to generate the necessary data, which in turn she used in combination with bijective proofs and generating functions as the main tools. New combinatorial interpretations to several counting sequences namely A124324, Catalan, Fibonacci, Motzkin and Powers of two among others were provided as already indexed on the On-line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS) database, hence contributing to the existing body of knowledge. She also proved that the descent generating polynomials for these permutations are real rooted, and satisfy an interlacing property similar to that satisfied by the Eulerian polynomials, which are known to be real-rooted. Moreover, the run-sort function was found to possess interesting probability distribution properties. The research findings exhibited an interplay between discrete mathematics, probability theory and complex analysis. The study was funded by SIDA and supervised by Dr. Alex Samuel Bamunoba, Prof. Paul Vaderlind and Prof. Fanja Rakotondrajao of Antananarivo.
NALULE Rebecca Muhumuza
Hierarchical Models and Spatio-Temporal Processes In Data Analysis
Ms. NALULE Rebecca Muhumuza studied Hierarchical Models and Spatio-Temporal Processes in Data- Analysis with the aim of analyzing data which possesses both temporal and spatial dependence. She developed a non-linear general spatio-temporal model by extending Serfling’s model. Rebecca applied the theoretical findings to data of an outbreak of influenza in Southern Germany between 2001 and 2007. She also extended the random effect model by introducing the correlation coefficient between random effects in its definition. She again considered the problem of Bayesian estimation of heterogeneity parameter in the generalized random effects model where a comparison between the obtained results with the existing approaches was made. Rebecca used the findings for consensus building in meta-analyses of measurement results for the Newtonian constant of gravitation data and for the effectiveness of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis in preventing HIV infection. The study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Prof Olha Bodnar, Dr. John Bosco Asiimwe and Dr. Rebecca N. Nsubuga.
NANFUKA Mary
The use of Splines for solving ill-posed problems, with application to the Cauchy problems for the Heat and Helmholtz equations
Ms. NANFUKA Mary developed a regularization procedure based on splines. The procedure was used to solve the Cauchy problems for the heat and Helmholtz equations, which are ill posed problems. The Cauchy problem for the heat equation had been previously solved by the Fourier transform method. The method, assumed that the time derivative, represented a periodic function which is not realistic. Thus, as an alternative, Mary approximated the time derivative by a cubic smoothing spline. The spline method effectively bounded the errors in the output solution according to the stability estimates. The Cauchy problem for the Helmholtz equation was regularized, by introducing a bounded approximation of the second derivative in the x-variable using cubic smoothing splines. A bound for the approximate
derivative was derived. The stability estimates, showed that the method worked pretty well and produced accurate results. The newly developed method was applied to an industrial setting for determining the surface temperature of steel and good results were achieved. The method is recommended for use for the solution to inverse problems that occur in the engineering and medical fields. The research was funded by Sida and supervised by Dr. Fredrik Berntsson, Dr.Godwin Kakuba and Assoc Prof. John Mango.
OCHEN William
Measurement and Modelling of Residual Stress in Porcelain Tiles Formulated from Different Quartz Particle Sizes in Uganda
Mr. OCHEN William studied residual stress in porcelain tiles formulated from different quartz particle sizes in Uganda. He measured residual stress using X-ray diffraction method, and modeling based on finite element method using abaqus software. His study was prompted by numerous complaints concerning the strength of the locally manufactured tiles. His study found out that residual stress decreases with an increase in quartz particle size over a range of 45-200μm. The decline in residual stress is attributed to the formation of cracks, which affects strength and hardness of the tiles. He further noted that upon sintering at 13000C, tiles with quartz particle size of 90μm exhibited properties that satisfied the ISO 13006 standard. His study therefore recommends the idea of fine quartz milling in a range of not more than 90μm. This study was funded by DAAD and supervised by Prof. Florence Mutonyi D’ujanga and Dr. Bosco Oruru.
OKELLO Omwonylee Joseph
Limiting Behaviours of the Longest Gaps Between Occurrence Epochs in Poisson Processes.
Mr. OKELLO Omwonylee Joseph investigated the asymptotic properties of longest gaps between occurrence epochs in Poisson processes using the theory of large deviations, based on the laws of large numbers. To do this, the global estimation of the distribution functions of longest gaps was derived with the help of discretization argument and the Slivnyak’s formula of Palm theory. The derived global estimation was then used to achieve Laplace transform asymptotics of the longest gaps. Through the application of Fenchel-Legendre transform, it was found out that the longest gaps satisfy two large deviation principles with exponential and power rate functions. Since this study was about the probabilistic analysis of rare events, the results not only fill the literature gaps but also provide a very useful planning tool to insurance companies, risk analyst, department of disaster preparedness, operation managers and others. The study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Dr. Xiangfeng Yang; Dr. Richard Awichi Opaka and Dr. Fred Mayabala.
SSENYUNZI Richard Cliffe
Modelling Precipitable Water Vapour Using Global Navigation Satellite System Data over the East African Tropical Region.
Mr. SSENYUNZI Richard investigated the temporal and spatial variability of the zenith total delay and precipitable water vapour (PWV) data over the East African tropical region. The PWV data was collected from 13 geodetic permanent GNSS stations for the years 2013 to 2016. Lack of key variables such as the atmospheric water vapour, has been affecting the accuracy of weather predictions over the East African tropical region. The lack of this important parameter has been partly due to insufficient data and very scarce and unreliable tropospheric water vapour monitoring instruments in the region. In this study, the PWV, pressure and the weighted mean temperature linear models have been developed. The site-specific models developed can be utilized to supplement the GNSS and the weather stations data over the thirteen stations since they can provide estimates of nearly a similar degree of precision compared to the measured values. The study was funded by the African Development Bank and supervised by Prof. Florence Mutonyi D’ujanga and Dr. Bosco Oruru.
WAMONO Felix
Contributions to reduced rank regression modelling with applications to small area estimation.
Mr. WAMONO Felix studied the problem of decomposing residuals in the GMANOVA-MANOVA model with rank restrictions on parameters with applications in small area estimation. Firstly, Residuals in the GMANOVA-MANOVA model with rank restrictions on the mean parameters was considered. The main objective was to define residuals useful for evaluating the reduced rank restriction model. We decomposed linear spaces into four subspaces as it can be done for the Extended Growth Curve model with two “profiles”. The new residuals were defined by orthogonal projections on these subspaces. It was discussed how the new residuals could be used to test model assumptions. Secondly, Survey data from Uganda, including the 2014 Uganda Population and Housing Census data was analysed using small area estimation methodology. The GMANOVA-MANOVA model with rank restrictions on parameters was used to estimate the small area means. This study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Prof. Dietrich von Rosen, Prof. Martin Singull, Assoc. Prof. Leonard Atuhaire and Dr. Innocent Ngaruye.
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Natural Sciences
Enhancing Experiential Learning: ZPEB Uganda Donates Well Control System Demonstration Model to Mak’s Department of Geology & Petroleum Studies
ZPEB Uganda Co. Limited has donated a Well Control System Demonstration Model to the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies at Makerere University, a contribution expected to significantly enhance practical training, research, and industry-oriented learning in petroleum geoscience and drilling engineering.
The equipment was officially handed over to Makerere University at a ceremony held on 5th August 2026 at Onomo Hotel Kampala. The event was attended by Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, alongside representatives from the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies led by the Head, Dr John Mary Kiberu.
The Well Control System Demonstration Model is an advanced educational training tool designed to provide students with practical understanding of well control principles, equipment operation, and safety procedures applied during drilling operations. Although it is not intended for field deployment, the model offers a realistic representation of the systems and processes used in the prevention and management of well control incidents, including blowouts, enabling students to acquire practical experience within a safe learning environment.
The equipment will significantly enhance students’ understanding of well control systems by providing practical demonstrations of pressure management techniques and strengthening their competencies in kick detection, well control procedures, drilling safety, and emergency response.
By integrating practical demonstrations into petroleum education, the model will contribute to the development of highly skilled graduates equipped with the technical knowledge and practical capabilities required to support Uganda’s emerging oil and gas industry.
ZPEB Uganda Co. Limited, the donor of the equipment, is the Ugandan subsidiary of Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau (ZPEB), a globally recognized Chinese drilling contractor with extensive expertise in oil and gas exploration, drilling, cementing, and engineering services. The company has been actively involved in supporting petroleum exploration and development activities in Uganda while contributing to capacity building within the country’s oil and gas sector.
The Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies at Makerere University continues to play a pivotal role in developing professionals who contribute to the sustainable exploration and management of natural resources. Through its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the Department equips students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in geology, petroleum systems, exploration methods, reservoir characterization, and production technologies.
Natural Sciences
CoNAS Orientation: First Year Students Urged to Lay Strong Foundation for Academic & Professional Success
First Year students admitted to the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) at Makerere University for the Academic Year 2026/2027 have been encouraged to remain focused on their studies, embrace the opportunities available at the University, and lay a strong foundation for successful academic and professional careers.
The call was made during the orientation ceremony held on 5th August 2026 at the College premises. The session introduced the students to university life and policies, academic expectations, support services, and the diverse opportunities available within the College and University, helping them make a smooth transition from secondary school to higher education.
The orientation was attended by the College Management led by the Principal, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Juma Kasozi, Deans, Heads of Departments, academic staff, and representatives from various University administrative units.
Welcoming the students, the Principal, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, congratulated them on securing admission to one of Uganda’s leading science colleges and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities available at the University.
“CoNAS is internationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. Supported by highly qualified academic staff, 95 per cent of whom are PhD holders, the College provides high-quality education, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and global perspectives needed to excel in an increasingly competitive world.”
Prof. Ireeta urged the students to approach university life with discipline and commitment from the outset, encouraging them to attend lectures consistently and develop effective study habits that would enable them to excel academically. While acknowledging that university life presents many social opportunities, he advised the students to maintain a healthy balance between academics and extracurricular activities.
The Deputy Principal, Prof. Juma Kasozi, challenged the students to take personal responsibility for their learning and professional development. He encouraged them to cultivate a culture of discipline, curiosity, and continuous learning, emphasizing that academic success is achieved through consistent effort rather than last-minute preparation.
He equally advised the students to attend all lectures, actively participate in all academic activities, and develop strong computer and statistical skills – competencies that are increasingly vital for success across scientific disciplines and in today’s evolving workplace.
He also urged the students to uphold academic integrity, manage their time effectively, and seek guidance whenever they encounter academic or personal challenges.
The Deans introduced students to the departments and academic programmes within their respective Schools, explaining programme structures, academic expectations, career prospects, and the support systems available to facilitate student success. They encouraged the students to take advantage of the mentorship opportunities offered by academic staff.
Addressing the students, the Acting Dean, School of Biosciences, also Head of the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, encouraged the students to embrace the programmes to which they were admitted, noting that each programme offers unique opportunities for learning, research, innovation, and career growth. “Success depends more on commitment, dedication, and hard work than on the title of one’s degree programme.” Dr. Kubiriza reminded the students that, while university life provides greater freedom and independence, it also requires a strong sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and effective time management to achieve academic success.
The Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. David Ssevviiri, underscored the critical role that science graduates play in driving national development through research, innovation, and technological advancement. He encouraged students to maximize the opportunities available within the School and urged them to adopt a finalist mindset from their very first semester by setting high academic standards and remaining committed to excellence throughout their academic journey.
Ms. Barbra Akello and Mr. Ivan Ocen shared practical insights on strategies for achieving a good CGPA. They encouraged students to take personal responsibility for their academic success by embracing self-directed excellence, setting clear academic goals, and developing effective study habits from the beginning of their university journey. They advised students to actively engage with lecturers, seek academic guidance whenever necessary, and build supportive study networks. They emphasized that consistent effort, early preparation, discipline, and a focused approach to learning are key foundations for attaining good grades and succeeding at the university.
Students also received comprehensive guidance on academic procedures and University regulations from representatives of the College Registrar’s Office, Ms. Hellen Mirembe and Ms. Hasifa Mukyala. They explained key processes relating to admission, registration, enrolment, progression requirements, examinations, academic appeals, and withdrawal procedures, while emphasizing the importance of honesty, integrity, and compliance with the University regulations. The students were also sensistized on the library services and fees payment policy.
The Deputy Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL), Dr. Godfrey Mayende, introduced students to the University’s digital learning environment. He demonstrated how students can effectively utilize the Makerere University Electronic Learning Environment (MUELE) to access course materials, submit assignments, and interact with lecturers. He also encouraged responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support learning while observing the University’s academic integrity policies.
Representatives from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, the Counseling and Guidance Centre, and the Emerging Leaders’ Programme introduced students to institutional support services aimed at fostering academic success, personal growth, and wellbeing. They emphasized the availability of guidance, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities to help students effectively navigate university life and make informed decisions throughout their academic journey.
Photos of the orientation ceremony: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eGEb6tAYcr15qQHIuV-Imgclu9sueOk7?usp=sharing
As the world of work continues to evolve, employers are increasingly seeking graduates who possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills, problem-solving abilities, creativity, digital competence, and the ability to adapt to the rapidly changing technological and professional environments. In response to these demands, Uganda is embracing Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), an approach that emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively in real-world settings.
Following the introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum in secondary schools in 2019, the Ministry of Education and Sports directed institutions of higher learning to transition to competency-based education by 2027. The reform requires universities to redesign their curricula, adopt learner-centred teaching methods, strengthen practical training, and implement authentic assessment approaches that prepare graduates for both formal and informal employment.
Building Capacity for Competency-Based Education
In support of this national transition, Makerere University is strengthening the capacity of its staff to develop and implement competency-based programmes. From 21st to 23rd July 2026, the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) conducted a three-day capacity-building training for academic and technical staff to deepen their understanding of CBET principles and equip them with the skills required to design, deliver, and assess competency-based curricula.
Held at Ridar Hotel in Seeta, the training was conducted with support from the Strengthening Commercial Aquaculture (SCA) Programme, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala (EKN) and implemented by the COFAD Consortium (COFAD–ThinkAqua–WUR). The programme is also supporting the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences (ZEFS) to review its undergraduate and postgraduate aquaculture programmes to align them with competency-based education and the evolving needs of Uganda’s growing commercial aquaculture sector.
The transition of ZEFS programmes to CBET presents a strategic opportunity for Makerere University to develop a flagship model for science-based competency-based education that could inform implementation across the University.
The Training Workshop
Officially opened by the Deputy Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Juma Kasozi, the training was attended by staff from the Departments of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences; Plant Sciences; Microbiology and Biotechnology; Biochemistry and Systems Biology; Exercise and Sports Science; and Chemistry. It was coordinated by Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, Head of the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences and one of the coordinators of the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) Programme at Makerere University.
The facilitators included Mr. Joshua Kunya, TVET Specialist and Training Consultant; Mr. Richard Basalirwa, an associate consultant and process expert with Skills Initiative Uganda; Dr. Cyprian Misinde, Director of Quality Assurance at Makerere University; and Mr. Maurice Ssebisubi, Lead Consultant for the Diagnostic and Rapid Needs Assessment of the BSc Fisheries and Aquaculture and MSc Zoology (Fisheries and Aquaculture) curricula at Makerere University.
Throughout the training, participants explored the principles of competency-based education and examined how universities can move beyond traditional knowledge transmission towards teaching and learning approaches that develop and improve practical competence, critical thinking, innovation, teamwork, communication, ethical leadership, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Presentations also examined Makerere University’s curriculum development framework, emphasizing the importance of aligning academic programmes with national quality assurance standards, labour market demands, and international best practices. Participants underscored the need for curriculum reform to be informed by industry requirements and designed to produce graduates who can effectively apply their knowledge and skills in professional, entrepreneurial, and community settings.
Recommendations from the Diagnostic Assessment of the BSc & MSc Fisheries & Aquaculture
A key highlight of the training was the presentation of findings from a diagnostic assessment of the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Master of Science in Zoology (Fisheries and Aquaculture) programmes, conducted under the leadership of Mr. Maurice Ssebisubi. The assessment involved curriculum reviews, surveys of alumni and students, and consultations with employers and other stakeholders. It found that, although the programmes provide a strong scientific foundation, they require further strengthening to fully meet the requirements of competency-based education.
The assessment identified several gaps, including limited opportunities for practical and workplace learning, inadequate digital competencies, insufficient enterprise and business management skills, heavy reliance on end-of-semester examinations, and learning outcomes that place greater emphasis on knowledge acquisition than on the demonstration of competence.
To address these gaps, the assessors recommended revising learning outcomes, strengthening partnerships with industry, expanding supervised workplace learning, integrating digital technologies, modernising technical content, and adopting continuous competency-based assessment approaches.
Programme Review
During the practical sessions, participants worked in departmental groups to review existing curricula and redesign programme objectives, learning outcomes, teaching strategies, and assessment methods in line with CBET principles. These collaborative exercises enabled staff to begin developing curricula that are more learner-centred, industry-responsive, and aligned with Uganda’s national development priorities.
Participants identified several institutional requirements for the successful implementation of CBET, including increased investment in infrastructure and teaching resources, continuous staff development, strengthened quality assurance systems, and closer collaboration with industry.
While acknowledging that the transition to competency-based education will require significant institutional commitment and resources, participants noted that it presents an important opportunity to enhance graduate employability, foster innovation, strengthen industry linkages, and increase the contribution of universities to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
SCA Programme Reaffirms Support for Aquaculture Education
Speaking at the training, David Bargh, Team Leader of the Strengthening Commercial Aquaculture (SCA) Programme, reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to supporting Makerere University in strengthening aquaculture education and aligning its programmes with the evolving needs of the sector.
“A strong aquaculture sector requires skilled professionals. This is why curriculum reform is so important. Competency-based education focuses not only on what students know, but also on what they can do. Your role as lecturers and technicians is therefore central to producing graduates who are practical, innovative, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s aquaculture development.”
Appreciation to the funders
Addressing the participants, Prof. Juma Kasozi, Deputy Principal of (CoNAS), appreciated the funders for the support towards strengthening the quality, relevance, and impact of university education. He emphasized that Makerere University occupies a unique position in Africa’s academic landscape and therefore has a responsibility to remain responsive to the changing needs of society and the world of work. While acknowledging the University’s achievements and long-standing contribution to higher education, he noted that the rapidly changing social, economic, technological, and professional environment requires universities to rethink how they prepare graduates for the future. “Students should leave the university with more than academic qualifications – they should possess the practical skills, competencies, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities needed to apply their knowledge effectively in the workplace and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, Coordinator of the training and the CBET Programme equally appreciated the funders for the support. He underscored the need for staff to embrace the shift in mindset required by CBET, noting that successful implementation will depend on the ability of lecturers and technical staff to move beyond traditional approaches to teaching and assessment. He expressed optimism that the training would provide a strong foundation for the participating departments to develop and implement programmes that respond effectively to the changing needs of students, employers, industry, and society.
Photo highlights from Day One of the training: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DZ_yEI2008uGo48C7hRyBZO8Dimxi_ky?usp=sharing
Photo highlights from Day Two and Three: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XvsM3yggYG7FKX30binqpITB0wPBulhQ?usp=sharing
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