General
Ms. Claudia Frittelli – Carnegie Corporation of New York visits Mak
The Program Officer, Higher Education and Research in Africa, International Program of the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY) Ms. Claudia Frittelli was on Thursday 1st September, 2022 hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at a special Top Management Meeting as part of her institutional visit. Ms. Frittelli’s interaction with Makerere goes back to 2006 when she was part of the team that oversaw the implementation of CCNY’s Institutional Strengthening grant to the University.
In his welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor thanked Carnegie for being one of entities that helped Makerere University regain her footing after the turbulent years of political upheaval. He particularly singled out the Corporation’s role in revitalising the construction industry in the 1990s through supporting the introduction of programmes in quantity and valuation surveying. The same concept, he noted, was used to introduce the Bachelor and later Master of Science in Construction Management.
“At that time there were few quantity surveyors in Uganda and they were almost no valuation surveyors… since the introduction of those programmes, the construction industry has greatly improved… and almost all the people heading the Departments in Government dealing with these issues are all coming out of the programme which the Carnegie Corporation supported” highlighted Prof. Nawangwe, who served as Head of the Department of Architecture and Physical Planning from 1987 to 2002.
The Vice Chancellor also paid to tribute to CCNY for supporting Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), which he currently chairs. ARUA aims at enhancing research and graduate training in Africa through, among other channels, the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in sixteen (16) member universities spread across ten (10) countries. The Alliance currently has thirteen (13) multidisciplinary CoEs tackling thematic areas of
Citing the World Bank recommendation for the African continent to produce at least 100,000 PhDs within the next ten years in order to achieve Agenda 2063, Prof. Nawangwe outlined that the current Makerere University Strategic Plan seeks to make the institution more research-led by among other activities, training more more graduate students, who will contribute to the target. Makerere‘s membership to consortia such as ARUA, through which it hosts the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity in Africa it is anticipated, will enhance the attainment of this strategic thrust.
The Vice Chancellor further outlined Makerere‘s plans to establish an innovation hub to support the huge capacity that has been built over the years. “We now have a lot of trained researchers who have the potential to come up with innovations and we are working with UNDP to establish the innovation hub.”
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi in his remarks thanked Ms. Frittelli for being an eminent and longtime friend of Makerere. He noted that whereas CCNY started relations with Uganda in 1946, the post-independence political turmoil resulted in decades of suspension of operations by the Corporation, which resumed 2001-2004 with support to institutional research management at Makerere.
Prof. Buyinza added that this was followed by programmes from 2006-2008 and 2008-2011 aimed at strengthening research capacity at Makerere. The programme on nurturing the Next Generation of African Academics (NGAA) followed from 2010-2012, and subsequently the 2013-2016 NGAA Phase II that focused on retention of nurtured academics. 2017 marked the beginning of a phase on Nurturing Emerging Research Leaders through Post-Doctoral (NERLP) Training, which was followed by the 2019-2021 Supporting Early-Career Academics (SECA) programme.
“Currently, we are consolidating the Supporting Early-Career Academics (SECA) programme at Makerere, albeit innovatively. We have gone beyond the boundaries of Makerere and are working with four partner public Universities in this country… We identified Kyambogo, Busitema, Gulu and Mbarara University of Science and Technology” he explained.
Prof. Buyinza said that the current programme is supporting 25 post-doctoral fellowships; 15 from Makerere and 10 from the partner public universities. The support is aimed at consolidating the research capacity of early-career academics to enhance their research productivity and ability to contribute effectively to global knowledge generation.
He added that efforts are underway to prioritise research communication so as to enable dissemination of academic results to policy makers, while contributing to capacity building and opportunities of female academics. “The gender dimension is key and in this phase we have moved from 10% to 30%, and now Makerere is implementing 50% share-out.”
Ms. Frittelli in her remarks acknowledged the warm reception by Management, admitting that it was a pleasure to be back at Makerere where she participated in the institutional strengthening programme. The programme supported the formation of directorates to oversee Research and Graduate Training, Gender Mainstreaming, ICT and stregthened components in Distance Education. She added that it was good to witness Principal Investigators of projects that Carnegie had supported taking up Vice Chancellor roles in other universities as well as other Senior Administrative positions.
The Program Officer paid tribute to Vartan Gregorian, the late President under whose over 20-year tenure until his sudden death in April 2021, CCNY supported and continues to support higher education and research in Africa. She informed Management that the CCNY Board after a search appointed Prof. Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, to serve as the corporation’s next President effective January 2023. Her hope, she said, was that the new President who has a background in higher education would continue supporting Africa’s undertakings in the same sector.
“…these kinds of meetings are coming at a very important time as it is interesting to hear how the grant is evolving, so that we can also inform her of the role of Makerere in the country, the continent and your participation in all these networks” added Ms. Frittelli.
The Program Officer during her visit interacted with members of the SECA Project Implementation Committee (PIC) in various colleges as well as post-doctoral grantees.
Makerere University has today Wednesday, 9th June 2025 officially unveiled NCBA Bank Uganda as the Platinum Sponsor of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon. Formerly known as a fun run, the initiative was rebranded on 27th March 2025 during the launch of its Fifth Edition. This year’s event, #MakRun2025, is slated for 17th August 2025 under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future”.
Addressing the Media at a press conference this afternoon, the MakEF Board Chairperson, Dr. Maggie Kigozi remarked, “We are deeply honoured and excited to unveil NCBA Bank Uganda as the Platinum Sponsor of #MakRun2025, with a landmark commitment of UGX 1.45 billion over the next five years.”
Dr. Kigozi further described the unveiling as “a strategic partnership built on shared values and a common vision for inclusive education and sustainable impact,” adding that it would “fast-track the establishment of a fully equipped Disability Support Unit for students living with disabilities, and to build a sustainable pool of funds to support Economically Disadvantaged Students.”
Appreciating the generous sponsorship, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe acknowledged that NCBA Bank had not only made history as the biggest corporate sponsor of #MakRun to date but also aligned with Makerere’s vision to improve the quality of student life. “This is a powerful gesture of trust in our mission and a demonstration of deep corporate citizenship”, he added.
Prof. Nawangwe further thanked NCBA for recognizing that an investment in Makerere University is an indirect investment in the future of Uganda. “The Makerere Marathon is not just a race. It is a movement to establish a fully-fledged Disability Support Unit for students living with various forms of disabilities, and to build a sustainable fund for Economically Disadvantaged Students.”
The Vice Chancellor therefore rallied staff, students, alumni, partners and friends of Makerere to match NCBA’s generous support with vigour and commitment, so as to make #MakRun2025 the most impactful edition since its founding.
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mark Muyobo thanked Makerere University for giving NCBA Bank Uganda the opportunity to play its part in “shaping Uganda’s future one student, one community, one strength at a time,” adding that #MakRun is a symbol of hope for students living with disabilities as it speaks to Makerere’s core values of inclusion, equity, and excellence.
On a rhythmical note, Mr. Muyobo remarked that the #MakRun2025 theme is “not just about finishing lines, it is about opening doors; giving opportunities to those who are disabled. It is about promoting active lifestyle.”
#MakRun2025 will for the first time feature a full 42.2km marathon race with international accreditation and professional timing along a dedicated traffic-free route.
“These are not just upgrades, these are bold steps towards building a world-class international marathon right here in Kampala. We are proud to be the wings at your back as you take this leap because when Makerere University, the beacon of higher learning in Uganda grows stronger, the ripple effects are felt across the region and across the continent” Mr. Muyobo affirmed.
To officially seal the deal, a Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed between Makerere University and NCBA Bank Uganda, and thereafter, a dummy cheque of UGX 1.45 billion was presented to Dr. Maggie Kigozi as the Vice Chancellor, Members of Management and NCBA staff witnessed.
General
Directorate of Graduate Training Empowers PhD Supervisors with Academic Supervision Training
By Moses Lutaaya
The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in conjunction with CARTA’s Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Research Hub and the East– Spark Project completed a two days Doctoral (PhD) academic supervisors training under the theme: “Empowering Academic Supervision Training in Eastern Africa: Sparking Potential, Advancing Research, and Knowledge (EAST-SPARK).”
The training took place between 2nd and 3rd July 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences’ (COBAMS) School of Business conference hall.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma challenged the team to set clear and manageable objectives for graduate students under their supervision so that they can complete their doctoral studies on time.:
“Set expectations at the beginning of the research journey of PhD students under your supervision. Resist working with students that are not objective. Set a time frame with in which the student is able to do their research so that they are able to finish their doctoral studies on time.”
He added, “The issue of supervising graduate research is very vital because there needs to be seamless progression of the graduate students.”
Prof. Kikooma further highlighted that the target in the strategic plan is to have 30% graduate students enrolled in the next five years. Currently, it is about 17%.
“We need to get everything right in this training. Our biggest issues are in the supervision process flow of the graduate students. Graduate supervisors need to listen to students and equally the students need to listen to the supervisors. The graduate supervision journey is simple with open communication and immediate feedback between the two parties.”
This will help us in creating a new breed of academia and researchers that Makerere university and the country as a whole need.”
Prof. Kikooma further added “Take the excellence you have to represent the university. Ensure you have all they policies on your fingertips so that you guide the students well.”
In his remarks, Prof. Ibrahim Okumu (representing the Principal, COBAMS) said that such a training was necessary and it was a right move towards standardization of doctoral training in the region.
“What does it take to standardize doctoral and graduate studies? We need to create unison in the region and learn by doing. Doctoral studies are vital and cannot be taken for granted. We need to continue creating critical thinkers ready to nature research programs. These trainings are enablers in this journey.”
He added, “Let us blend the old and young birds in this training so that we share knowledge and experience to nature and grow the dreams of the doctoral students. Nature the inner person, not imposing yourself on to the student. Enable them to open up while doing their research and they will have a good and seamless doctoral academic journey.”
Dr. Drago Kato Charles, a trainer and a senior Lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Technology at CoVAB said, “These trainings are continuous professional development programs aimed at refreshing doctoral supervisors every now and then. They are vital and needed by the mixture of the young, intermediate and senior supervisors.”
He added, “These senior supervisors share knowledge and experience on what is going on in the world of education. The young come to learn from old supervisors. The goal is to increase completion and quality of the PhD output. In totality, such a training aims to improve quality and mentorship on how to facilitate and handle graduate student supervision.”
He added that the trainees were taking the obtained skills to their schools and colleges to produce more quality doctoral and graduate students which would lead to growth of economies since every country needs PhD researchers to drive economic transformation and policy developments as well as implementation.
Dr. Peter Ssenkusu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Foundations and Curriculum studies in the School of Education said, “The training modules are extensively researched. The areas covered are very pertinent for doctoral supervision.”
Dr. Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, a facilitator and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Population Studies in the School of Statistics and Planning at COBAMS added, “The vision for Makerere University is to be a research led institution. To be research- led university, we need to promote graduate teaching and learning. To achieve this, graduate students need supervisors that are well trained and skilled. We will also continue to do retooling for experienced supervisors.”
Dr. Byaruhanga Micheal Bruce from the Department of Biochemistry and Tourism, a lecturer and a participant said, “Whoever thought about this training did something very important. I thought all I was doing in supervision was normal until this training came. I did not know that some issues I knew would let the students off the course while others would keep them on. I want to ensure that all I have learnt is put into action. The modules have been very enriching. We need more of such trainings, probably for more than two days.”
Dr. Tukae Mbegalo, a guest trainer from Mzumbe University in Tanzania said, “The training is very relevant considering the diversity of the participants which include the young and senior researchers because of sharing the experiences which include delays and the relationships between supervisors and supervisees.” He added, “As supervisors, our emphasis is on scientific writing which we should instill in the students. Scientific writing leads to consistency right from problem setting, objectives, methodology and aligning it to the results so that we improve the quality of the doctoral outputs.”
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