Mak-RIF funded research highlights disparities between science and arts teachers and their implications for Uganda’s education system.

A collaborative study by Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service has shed new light on how salary enhancement affects the performance of secondary school teachers in Uganda. The study, titled “Impact of Salary Enhancement on the Performance of Secondary School Teachers in Uganda,” was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).

The research was prompted by the Government’s 2018 pay policy that significantly increased salaries for science teachers, while arts teachers remained at a lower rate. By 2022, science teachers had achieved 77% of the approved pay target, while that of arts teachers remained at 12%.

Researchers, led by Makerere University’s Dr. Cyprian Misinde, have noted that these disparities have far-reaching implications on the quality of education, the National Development Plan (NDP III Goal 5: Human Capital Development), the emerging NDP IV framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Assessing the Effects of Pay Enhancement

The study set out to assess the impact of salary enhancement on teacher performance, focusing on motivation, retention, student outcomes, and perceptions of both science and arts teachers.

Using a mixed methods approach, researchers collected data from 1,352 secondary school teachers (617 science and 735 arts teachers) across 14 sub-regions. Additionally, 28 key informant interviews were conducted with head teachers, alongside 28 focus group discussions (FGDs) with students.

Key Findings: A Divided Teaching Workforce

The findings paint a stark contrast between science and arts teachers:

Science teachers reported high motivation (80.5%), strong perceived performance (76.5%), greater retention intent (39.1% planning to stay until retirement), improved student outcomes (64.5%), and enhanced morale (80.5%). Arts teachers, however, experienced lower motivation (25.5%), reduced performance (17.8%), lower retention (27.5%), weaker student outcomes (15.2%), and diminished morale (26.6%).

Across the board, 85.3% of all teachers agreed that higher salaries improve retention, reaffirming that pay remains a critical driver of teacher performance and commitment.

“While the pay policy has strengthened science education, it has unintentionally widened disparities that could undermine equity and holistic quality education in Uganda,” the report reads in part.

The study also found that salary enhancement alone was not accompanied by proportional investments in other key performance enablers such as school infrastructure, teaching materials, and instructional resources which are equally vital for improved educational outcomes.

Policy Implications and Recommendations

The report cautions that prolonged disparities could lead to growing division between science and arts teachers, teacher demotivation, workforce instability, and uneven student performance, potentially hindering NDP IV’s goal of sustainable human capital growth.

The researchers called for a review of the implementation modalities of the pay policy to minimize salary disparities between science and arts teachers, thereby promoting balance, morale, and fairness across disciplines.

While the emphasis on science aligns with NDP III’s focus on STEM and human capital development, neglecting the arts undermines the holistic learning. Researchers called for an urgent need for balanced reforms to align with NDP IV and SDGs 4&10. 

Leaders Weigh In

Speaking at the dissemination of the study, the Minister for Public Service, Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare.

“The Government approved a public pay policy which includes progressive salary enhancement for secondary school teachers, particularly those teaching science subjects,” said Hon. Mukasa. “By FY2025/26, UGX 2.5 trillion has been committed to salary enhancements. However, even among teachers whose salaries were enhanced, some are applying for early retirement and their motivation to teach has declined. This study was hence commissioned to understand the immediate and future impact of this pay reform,” he added.

Hon. Mukasa further noted that the Ministry of Public Service sought technical support from a Mak-RIF–funded project to better appreciate the impact of salary enhancement and to guide future pay reforms.

The State Minister for Gender and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, echoed similar concerns, urging stakeholders to reflect on the challenges within the education sector and prioritize strategies that ensure equity and sustainability.

Strengthening Collaboration Between Makerere University and Government

The study is one of the first results of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024 between Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service.

According to  Prof. Robert Wamala, a member of the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee, the partnership is a strategy to strengthen evidence-based policy and governance.

“The MoU between Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service is collaborative journey which forges a stronger bond between academia and Government for the greater good of society,” said Prof. Wamala.

Through the MoU, Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service have committed to joint research projects, policy-oriented studies, data management and dissemination, capacity building, curriculum development, and monitoring and evaluation of collaborative initiatives.

Author: Winnie Kyamulabi is the Communications Officer, Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) 5^th Biennial Conference is underway at Makerere University, and Day 2 has kicked off with a keynote address from Prof. Vukosi Marivate. The keynote speaker and ABSA-UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria delivered his address under the theme “Research, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation: The Power of the Grassroots”.

Prof. Marivate reminded the audience that Africa’s AI journey is growing from the ground up, powered not by huge institutions but by determined communities and university-based innovators who refuse to wait for permission to build. He spoke passionately about initiatives like Masakhane and the Deep Learning Indaba, which have transformed African language research and expanded technical capacity across the continent. Rather than chasing prestige journals alone, he emphasized work that actually serves African people: building language models, releasing open-source tools, nurturing talent and keeping researchers rooted on the continent. In his words, the future of African AI will be shaped by local builders who choose their own path, invest in research, and create technology guided by real community needs, not external validation.

The keynote address was followed by a round discussion moderated by Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and speakers emphasized that Africa’s AI future will be built through deep, intentional collaboration. The discussion was centered on a theme: Collaboration of Networks (Promoting Collaborative Research and Innovation Networks in AI in Africa). They noted that the question is no longer whether AI will reshape society; it already is. The real task now is ensuring Africa shapes AI in a way that advances prosperity, equity and shared opportunity. Panelists highlighted that isolated excellence will not deliver transformation. Instead, the continent needs networks that pool expertise, resources and vision across universities, sectors and borders.

Prof. Sharon Fonn of the CARTA Consortium stressed the value of co-created knowledge systems and shared investment in research platforms. She showcased CARTA’s AI-driven research visibility tool, which is already helping African scholars connect findings to policy and practice. Prof. Anthony Egeru of RUFORUM grounded the conversation in agriculture, reminding delegates that AI must reach the acre, not just the algorithm. He emphasized practical innovation that improves smallholder farmers’ productivity and livelihoods, especially through youth-led agritech ventures. From PASGR, Mr. Jim Kaketch underscored that social scientists must not be an afterthought in AI governance, urging frameworks that safeguard ethics, accountability and citizen inclusion.

Dr. Rachid Serraj from Mohammed VI Polytechnic highlighted the power of industry-university partnerships and hands-on innovation models that prepare young Africans to build, not just consume, AI tools. Prof. Akinyemi added that African universities must rethink promotion and reward systems to recognize innovation, impact and cross-disciplinary work. The panel’s shared message was simple but powerful: Africa has talent, vision and momentum. What is needed now is aligned investment, harmonized policies and a commitment to build AI ecosystems that reflect African priorities and enable African creators to lead from the front.

The keynote address and roundtable discussion were followed by the the Fourth Keynote Address delivered by Dr. Adama Ibrahim, Vice-Chair of the Science for Africa Foundation, and a Special Panel of the O.R. Tambo Research Chairs Initiative chaired by Makerere University‘s Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende. The session tackled themes such as: Application of AI in Research and Innovation in African Universities; Building AI Capacity and Talents in African Higher Education Institutions; Promoting Collaborative Research and Innovation Networks in AI in Africa; Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation; and AI and Creative Economies.

View Session

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Information, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza has officially opened the 5^th African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference on Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, held on October 29, 2025. Hosted by Makerere University, the three-day conference has drawn together distinguished guests including Vice Chancellors and their deputies from universities under the ARUA, alongside leading scholars and practitioners in Science, Technology and Innovation. The gathering comes at a momentous time as ARUA celebrates its 10^th anniversary—an occasion that underscores the alliance’s growing impact on advancing research and collaboration across the continent. Over the course of the conference, participants will deliberate on how research, innovation and artificial intelligence can be harnessed to address Africa’s most pressing challenges and drive sustainable transformation.

Addressing Africa’s Scientific Renaissance

Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, opened the conference with a compelling call for Africa to seize its moment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. She reflected on the continent’s history of disruption—from the slave trade to colonization—that interrupted the continuity of African innovation, noting how earlier generations independently developed technologies, smelted iron, and applied natural therapeutics without formal laboratories. Hon. Musenero urged African scientists, researchers, and universities to reclaim this legacy by transforming knowledge into practical solutions that address real-world challenges, create jobs, and drive economic growth.

She emphasized that the role of science must extend beyond academic publications and ivory towers, stressing the need for inventions, industrialization, and commercialization of research outcomes. Highlighting Uganda’s progress, she pointed to innovations in electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, as well as initiatives to harness AI and digital technology to benefit local economies. She challenged researchers to align their work with national priorities, protect intellectual property, and translate knowledge into tools, industries, and enterprises that uplift communities. Hon. Musenero concluded by urging African scientists to embrace challenges as opportunities, enter the “Evil Forest” of innovation with courage and resilience, and ensure that Africa no longer remains a passive observer in global technological advancement but a leader shaping its own development trajectory.

Dr. Lorna Magara, Chairperson of the Makerere University Council on her part described the gathering as a convergence of visionaries, dream builders, and custodians of Africa’s future. She emphasized that the theme of the conference, Research, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation, called for a shift from consuming knowledge to creating and exporting it, positioning Africa at the center of global development.

Dr. Magara highlighted Makerere University’s initiatives, including the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF), the AI and Data Science Research Center, and the Innovation Pod, as examples of how African universities can drive societal transformation when innovation is pursued with vision and intentionality. She also underlined the importance of collaboration through ARUA, noting that technology must serve humanity and be guided by African values of ethics, community, dignity, and shared prosperity. Pointing to Africa’s young population as a key engine of creativity and growth, Dr. Magara called on leaders and researchers to build ecosystems that empower scholars, inspire innovations that uplift communities, and forge partnerships to accelerate the continent’s progress.

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed delegates to the Conference, expressed gratitude for Makerere’s role as a pioneer member of the alliance and paid tribute to the visionaries who laid its foundation. Speaking from the historic Main Hall—where Africa’s early independence leaders once debated the continent’s future—Professor Nawangwe reflected on how today’s struggles have shifted from political emancipation to scientific, technological, and economic liberation. He emphasized the urgent need to address Africa’s pressing challenges, including population growth, health, governance, and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Highlighting Uganda’s commitment to science, he cited the government’s support to Mak-RIF and the appointment of a scientist-led Ministry for Science, Technology, and Innovation as milestones of progress. He added that under the stewardship of strong leaders such as Dr. Lorna Magara and Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, Makerere has received over $8 million annually in research funding, fostering groundbreaking innovations by students, faculty, and community innovators. Professor Nawangwe called for sustained collaboration, increased investment, and shared resolve to harness Africa’s knowledge and innovation for true emancipation.

A call to prepare early and act decisively for AI

The Secretary General of ARUA, Professor John Owusu Gyapong, delivered an insightful overview of the 5^th Biennial International Conference, highlighting the urgency for Africa to leverage AI and research to transform its social, economic, and political landscape. He observed that while the continent continues to grapple with challenges such as poverty, unemployment, health crises, and governance gaps, artificial intelligence presents a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Professor Gyapong emphasized the potential of AI to enhance research efficiency, drive innovation, and address pressing issues in agriculture, health, education, and governance. He also underscored the need for Africa to develop data infrastructure, ethical frameworks, and equitable access to AI tools. Outlining the conference program, he noted that discussions would center on building AI capacity in higher education, strengthening university–industry collaboration, and advancing responsible AI ecosystems. Concluding with an African proverb, he reminded participants that “you cannot fatten a goat on the market day,” urging institutions to prepare early and act decisively for Africa’s transformation.

In his address, the Chairperson of the ARUA Board, Prof. Sizwe Mabizela, paid tribute to the visionary leaders who founded ARUA and commended its founding Secretary General, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, for his exceptional leadership in strengthening the alliance across the continent. Professor Mabizela emphasized the importance of collaboration among African universities and their global partners in addressing the complex challenges facing humanity—ranging from climate change and pandemics to inequality and technological disruption. He called for stronger, sustainable international research networks that enable knowledge exchange, innovation, and institutional growth, allowing African universities to become central contributors to global progress. Expressing appreciation to Makerere University for hosting the conference, he applauded the organizers, keynote speakers, and participants for their dedication to advancing Africa’s research and innovation agenda. He concluded with optimism, affirming that through collaboration, shared purpose, and resilience, Africa’s future remains bright with promise and possibility.

In his virtual address, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University, urged Africa to harness its vast potential as the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent. He reflected on the continent’s unique position to redefine its development path through courage, collaboration, and conviction. Acknowledging the challenges of climate change, health inequities, educational disparities, and economic inequality, he emphasized that Africa’s research institutions are already generating groundbreaking, context-driven innovations. Drawing inspiration from Robert Frost, Professor Marwala noted that Africa stands at a crossroads—and that the choices made today will shape its destiny. He called for bridging the gap between knowledge and implementation, affirming that with collective effort and optimism, “nothing can stop us now.”

During the conference, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Astria Learning, a global education technology company dedicated to developing impactful, flexible, and accessible e-learning solutions. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Astria Learning’s CEO Dr. Jeff Bordes highlighted how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education and underscored the partnership’s role in shaping the future of learning in Africa. He shared that, recognizing AI’s potential to redefine teaching and research, Astria pivoted its focus from traditional software development to AI-driven educational technologies. Through this collaboration, Makerere University and Astria Learning will establish an AI e-Campus aimed at accelerating postgraduate education and supporting the African Union’s goal of producing one million PhDs by 2035. Dr. Bordes noted that AI tools such as automated grading systems, intelligent tutoring, and adaptive content creation will empower lecturers to manage larger cohorts efficiently without compromising quality. Expressing gratitude to Makerere University’s leadership, he affirmed Astria Learning’s commitment to transforming higher education and building global capacity through technology.

A Host’s heartfelt appreciation

Professor Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships at Makerere University and Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee expressed deep gratitude to the participants, partners, and sponsors whose collaboration made the event possible, and extended a special welcome to international guests visiting Uganda for the first time. Professor Wamala described the conference theme as both timely and forward-looking, noting that AI is reshaping how societies live, learn, and develop.

He emphasized that for Africa, this technological revolution presents not just an opportunity to catch up, but to lead — anchored in strong research, ethical practices, and a shared vision for sustainable development. Appreciating the dedication of his organizing team, he encouraged participants to use the conference as a platform for learning, co-creation, and collaboration across nations, reminding them that while artificial intelligence is powerful, “human intelligence, ethics, and purpose must lead the way.”