Project Title: The story for the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa Ltd then, along and now
Expression of Interest Number: CTCA/EOI/ 2022-001
Background on CTCA
The Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA) was established in July 2011 following a recommendation of the stakeholder meeting that was held in Accra, Ghana in June 2008. The Centre was established by World Health Organisations (WHO) through a competitive process in response to a call by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). MakerereUniversity, housed the center at the School of Public Health.
The Centre has had three phases of funding. Phase 1 covered 2011-2014 was executed under the oversight of the Work health organization; Phase 2 was implemented from mid 2014 through early 2019 under the African Capacity Building Foundation; Phase III started mid 2019 to September 2022. All phases were funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This funding formed the core of CTCA. There were multiple other funding streams from IDRC, Research Council UK, WHO, Government of Uganda, USAID and NIH not aligned to the funding phases presented above but specific to announcements for funding as they became available.
The core business of CTCA is Capacity Development for Tobacco Control (TC) and research forms a strong arm to generate continuous evidence for time focused and tailored interventions.
The Center has correspondingly undergone evolution to a self-operating legal entity to serve the African continent on the tobacco control front and on the path to a Go-to-Centre of excellence and reference. During its period of existence, the Center has had paradigm shifts in program focus from policy-focused support interventions to strategy, and now sustainability.
Vision of CTCA
CTCA has a defined institutional direction reflected in its profile and program hierarchy as hereunder. The vision of CTCA is to achieve a “Tobacco-free Africa”. The mission is to enhance African governments’ capacity to formulate and implement Tobacco Control programs through partnerships and cooperation. The goal of the Centre is to reduce the production and consumption of tobacco by supporting governments in implementing evidence-based tobacco control strategies in Africa.
Currently the Centre is guided by a 7-year $15.9 million strategic plan spanning 2019 to 2025 with 5 strategic objectives namely to; SO1: To strengthen the capacity of countries in Africa to formulate and implement FCTC compliant programs; SO2: To promote evidence-based tobacco control policy formulation and program implementation; SO3: To mobilize human, material, and financial resources for sustainable tobacco control in Africa; SO4: To promote partnerships for tobacco control at national, regional and international levels; SO5: To enhance CTCA’s ability to support capacity development in tobacco control.
The strategic objectives are anchored in five pillars of CTCA Strategic Plan 2019/2025 based on the overarching strategic issues that call for attention in the planning and implementation periods. They form the very issues upon which success is measured. They are: Pillar 1: Capacity Development; Pillar 2: Expanding evidence; Pillar 3: Resource Mobilisation; Pillar 4: Partnerships; Pillar 5: Institutional development
Rationale for CTCA journey, “then-along-and-Now”
The objective of assignment is to tell the CTCA story from inception, along and now. Understanding the trajectory and journey will inform future discussions in shaping the Africa continental TC response. The story should chronical the events as they occurred in the CTCA journey then, during and now to propose the future path.
CTCA seeks to contract a competent, qualified, and experienced consultant(s) to undertake this important assignment over a 30-person days period.
Scope and Method of the assignment
The consultant is required to undertake a search strategy for extensive documents review and conduct key stakeholder consultations. The scope of the assignment will include;
a) Review of phase 1, 2 and 3 documents including the appraisal documents, grant agreements, performance reports, program review reports, missions reports, program strategy and policy documents, and institutional manuals (WHO, ACBF, Makerere, CTCA) b) A trend analysis of governance manuals, success stories, lessons, challenges, minutes, and concept notes. c) Review and examine the organizational governance and technical structure over time and how this has impacted CTCA performance d) Examine the pre-CTCA context and justification for its birth, the status during the business phase and project the future outlook. e) Tell key success stories and the stakeholder’s overtime f) Analyze the philosophy and theory of change of CTCA to inform the future direction. g) Relevant graphics and pictures through the review period for story h) Document the impact trend of CTCA interventions in Tobacco Control then, along, and now
Key deliverables
i) Inception report, completed within one week of commencement of assignment. The inception report shall include:
A detailed description of the methodology and timeline for developing CTCA story
The documents to review
The list of persons to interview.
A description of the meetings/workshop(s) and any other activities envisaged if any.
j) Consultative process report k) Draft story book l) Final validated story book
Institutional arrangement
The Consultant will report directly to the Chief Operations Officer. The Chief Operations Officer will provide all the necessary background documents and support the consultant(s) in organising meetings and activities all stakeholders.
Expected attributes of the consultant(s)
a) Experience in report writing b) Demonstrated experience in program reviews, evaluations, and compiling program profiles c) Should have published at leas five articles in peer reviewed journals d) Strong analytical skills e) Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate and work with teams f) Excellent communication skills and fluency in English and or French or bilingual
Timing
The activity should be executed within 30 person days spread between 15th September to 30th October 2022
How to apply
All applications should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, CTCA. Apply electronically including a cover letter, CV, copies of academic and professional documents with at least 2 reference letters. Address your application EOI@ctc-africa.org
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists of candidates admitted under the Talented Sports Men & Women, Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2026/27 Academic Year including appeals and remarked cases.
Other admission lists released include A-Level Applicants with Ugandan and those with Foreign Qualifications, Diploma in Performing Arts, Mature-Age Entry and Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL Batch 2) for the Academic Year 2026/2027 under self sponsorship.
Makerere University has officially launched its Strategic Plan 2025-2030, marking a major milestone in its commitment to strengthening research, innovation, and human capital development in line with Uganda’s national development priorities.
The launch brought together senior government officials, university leadership, and development planners, including the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, and a representative from the National Planning Authority (NPA), alongside the University Vice Chancellor.
Hon. Henry Musasizi unveils the Makerere University Strategic Plan (2025-2030).
A Vision Anchored in National Transformation
Speaking at the launch, the Vice Chancellor underscored the University’s ambition to significantly expand graduate training and strengthen its contribution to national development. He noted that the institution is targeting a return to pre-COVID enrolment levels and a substantial increase in postgraduate numbers by 2030, with a focus on producing highly skilled graduates, innovators, and researchers.
He emphasized that the Strategic Plan positions the University as a key driver of Uganda’s transformation through knowledge generation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aligned with national priorities.
“The staffing distribution is shown here. Under the approved establishment, we intended to have 419 Professors, but we currently have only 75. We planned for 473 Associate Professors, but currently have only 144. This clearly demonstrates that we still have considerable room for growth in strengthening our academic staff profile,” the VC said.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
The VC appreciated researchers and research centres, that continue to attract substantial research funding. He highlighted the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and the Makerere University Walter Reed Project which attracted approximately US$70 million in international research funding into Uganda.
“When you combine the grants won by all our researchers through competitive international funding, the total exceeds US$200 million,” he said.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, described the Strategic Plan as more than an institutional roadmap, calling it “a public covenant with the people of Uganda.”
She noted that the Plan marks “the launch of Makerere University’s next chapter,” adding that decisions taken over the next five years will shape not only the future of the institution, but also Uganda’s development trajectory through graduates, research, innovations, and leadership.
Dr. Lorna Magara.
Dr. Magara emphasized Makerere’s unique national role as Uganda’s premier public university, entrusted with public resources and public confidence.
“Every investment made in Makerere must produce measurable value for the people of Uganda,” she said, underscoring the need for accountability, integrity, and impact.
Ambitious Targets for Transformation
The Council Chairperson and the Vice chancellor outlined bold performance targets under the Strategic Plan, including doubling postgraduate enrolment, increasing STEM enrolment from 30% to 55%, improving PhD completion rates from 10% to 35%, and more than doubling peer-reviewed research output, alongside a significant rise in patents and innovations.
Dr. Magara stressed that these targets are not aspirations alone but binding commitments against which institutional performance will be measured.
Hon. Henry Musasizi (3rd R) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2rd L) display an autographed dummy of the signed Strategic Plan as L-R: Hon. Kadondi Gracious, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Rt. Hon. Daniel Kidega, Dr. Lorna Magara, H.E. Mubiru John Bosco and Prof. Sarah Ssali witness.
“Ambition is precisely what this moment demands. A strategic plan is not measured by the elegance of its language, but by the lives it transforms,” she said.
Call for Stronger Governance and Legal Reform
Dr. Magara also highlighted the need for reform of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Cap. 262, noting that the current legal framework has not kept pace with the evolving realities of university governance and innovation.
She called on Government and Parliament to support a timely review of the Act to enable universities to better optimise knowledge systems, productive assets, and innovation capacity in support of national development.
Government Endorsement and Strategic Alignment
Hon. Henry Musasizi commended the University for developing a forward-looking Strategic Plan aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which serves as the foundation for the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
He explained that Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy from about USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion requires accelerated growth driven by productivity gains, innovation, and strong human capital development.
Hon. Henry Musasizi.
“Universities are central actors in national transformation. They are engines of knowledge creation, innovation, and human capital development,” he said.
The Minister stressed that government priorities include strengthening research, promoting industrialization, and ensuring that knowledge generated in universities is translated into practical solutions that support economic growth. He further highlighted the importance of accountability, efficiency, and value for money in public investments in higher education.
Universities as Drivers of the Tenfold Growth Strategy
In his presentation, the Senior Planner at the National Planning Authority, Samuel Kasule, emphasized that the Strategic Plan is firmly anchored in Uganda’s comprehensive development framework under Vision 2040 and NDP IV.
He noted that the Tenfold Growth Strategy seeks to accelerate Uganda’s economic growth into double-digit territory, enabling the country to achieve structural transformation and reach upper middle-income status.
Mr. Samuel Kasule.
Kasule underscored that universities play a critical role in this transformation through labour productivity, research, and innovation. He pointed out that priority sectors such as agriculture, tourism, minerals, oil and gas, and ICT depend heavily on skilled graduates and strong research ecosystems.
He also highlighted the importance of competency-based education, alignment of academic programmes with national human resource needs, and strengthening postgraduate training and research outputs.
A Shared Commitment to Transformation
Across all speeches, a strong message emerged: universities are central to Uganda’s development agenda and must evolve into research-intensive institutions that directly contribute to economic transformation.
The Strategic Plan 2025-2030 was widely commended for its focus on innovation, industry collaboration, digital transformation, and the commercialization of research outputs.
Government leaders reaffirmed continued support for higher education institutions through research funding, innovation ecosystems, and strengthened university–industry partnerships.
Conclusion
The launch of the Strategic Plan 2030 signals a renewed commitment to positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development journey. With strong alignment to national priorities, the Plan is expected to accelerate research, innovation, and skills development necessary for achieving Uganda’s long-term economic ambitions. The Strategic Plan may be accessed at: https://mak.ac.ug/about/strategic-plan
Visionary Blueprint to Drive Excellence, Innovation, and National Development.
Kampala, Uganda – July 2, 2026. — Makerere University today officially launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, outlining a bold roadmap for academic excellence, research innovation, and transformative impact on Uganda and the region. The high-profile launch event, held at Makerere University Main Campus, brought together government leaders, university stakeholders, development partners, and academia.
The Chief Guest, Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, presided over the official launch. In his presentation, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas highlighted the University’s past achievements and the new Plan’s strategic vision. “This Strategic Plan builds on our rich legacy while positioning Makerere University as a leader in addressing contemporary challenges through cutting-edge research, quality education, and innovation,” he stated.
The Plan was developed through an inclusive process led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, with input from across the University community. It aligns closely with national development priorities, as affirmed by Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority.
University Council Chairperson Dr Lorna Magara emphasised the Council’s oversight role and commitment: “The University Council is fully committed to providing the strategic leadership and oversight necessary for the successful implementation of this Plan. It will strengthen Makerere’s role as a driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and ensure we remain a beacon of excellence in higher education across Africa.”
Development partners, Vice Chancellors from other public universities, college principals, deans, professors, and student representatives attended the event, underscoring broad stakeholder support.
Key Pillars of the Strategic Plan 2026–2030 include enhancing excellence in teaching and learning, advancing research and innovation, strengthening infrastructure and sustainability, promoting inclusivity, and deepening engagement with industry and government. Following the formal proceedings, guests participated in a networking breakfast and media engagement session.
Additional Quotes:
“Makerere University remains Uganda’s flagship institution. This Strategic Plan will further harness our intellectual capital to contribute meaningfully to the National Development Plan and Vision 2040.” — Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
“We are excited to embark on this new strategic journey. With the support of our dedicated staff, students, alumni, and partners, we will achieve even greater heights in the next five years.” — Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
Makerere University is Uganda’s oldest and largest public university, established in 1922. It is a world-class institution recognised for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and cross-disciplinary innovation. With over 35,000 students and a strong alumni network, Makerere continues to shape leaders and solutions for Africa and beyond.
For more information, contact:
Ms. Eunice Rukundo, Deputy Chief, Public Relations