Connect with us

General

Prof. Serwadda’s Nostalgic Student Life, Impactful Research and Joy of Mentoring Leaders

Published

on

When Prof. Serwadda travelled to universities in the USA and other countries in the 1980s, he realised that students struggled to buy books in those countries. “They work in restaurants to be able to buy books and then I said oh My God, we were so privileged,” he says.

When Prof. David M. Serwadda joined Makerere University as a student pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in August of 1977, the University was offering the best to its students.

This was both in terms of the institutional environment for academia, students’ basic needs, and the general eco-environment. Halls of residence were less congested, for instance, Prof. Serwadda, who was a Livingstone resident, says he only shared a room in the first year.

Like any other student of his time, Prof. Serwadda had an account in the bookstore that would guarantee the purchase of any book that he wanted. “I would just go there, I pick this book, they deduct from my account. I would have in my bookshelf very many books,” he says. “I would be a second-year student, but buying books for third year because if you didn’t finish your account that year, when you get into the following year, you forfeit it and reset the account to zero.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Prof. Serwadda, who is retiring this year after 31 years of teaching, discusses his time at Makerere, the challenges and opportunities for the institution that is celebrating 100 years. Prof. Serwadda was in 1985 the lead author of a research paper entitled “Slim disease; a new disease in Uganda and its association with HTLV-II infection” published in The Lancet, one of the global top medical journals that first confirmed HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

When Prof. Serwadda travelled to universities in the USA and other countries in the 1980s, he realised that students struggled to buy books in those countries. “They work in restaurants to be able to buy books and then I said oh My God, we were so privileged,” he says.

When Prof. Serwadda travelled to universities in the USA and other countries in the 1980s, he realised that students struggled to buy books in those countries. “They work in restaurants to be able to buy books and then I said oh My God, we were so privileged,” he says.

A medical doctor and professor of infectious diseases at Makerere University School of Public Health, Serwadda is a co-founder of the Rakai Health Science Program (RHSP) which has in the past three decades pioneered research on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He was the first Ugandan academic coordinator of the Masters of Public Health program at Makerere University School of Public Health. He also served as Director of Makerere Institute of Public Health from 2003 and 2007 and Dean from 2007 to 2009 when the Institute became a School.

In December 2019, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the World Population Council and in the same month he was elected together with 36 others among the world’s most accomplished scientists living in or focused on the developing world by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

1970 and today’s generation of students, lecturers

Contrasting students and staff activism of his time, Prof. Serwadda says it was the time of President Idi Amin, the third president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979 who had crushed Makerere’s activism spirit.

Prof. Serwadda says the current generation of students have more space for activism but also opportunities to succeed because they have more freedom, liberty, and multiple platforms through which to speak out and make their demands. “You have a highly energised and a much larger population of students that can easily be organised to rally against any grievance they have,” he says.

Whereas students of his generation seemed much more obedient, students of today know their rights and are likely to talk and make staff members and management more accountable which is good if it’s not disruptive.

Students of his time were always busy. They had many job offers. He mentions for instance that during his campus days, he would never have time to idle around. From first year, Prof. Serwadda says he was on study projects working, in laboratories and wards thus many students had no time to engage in activism. For instance in my fourth year of Medical School, under Professor Charles Olweny, I was a student during the day and a research assistant throughout the night and all weekends including Christmas at Uganda Cancer Institute.  “It is my perception that we were much busier than students of today and I feel that current context has made students much more demanding and engaged in more advocacy,” he says.

Regarding research and funding, Prof. Serwadda says the current generation of students and lecturers have better prospects to succeed. The internet has levelled the communication space, and created huge opportunity for global networks for research and learning. For example, if an organisation sends out a research fellowship, or scholarship opportunity, any person across the world can access the call and apply. But in the old days, only those countries with a functioning post office would receive information in a timely manner. “A new journal would come in the library and we were all booking to read them. But now, you go on the internet and download your journal,” he says.

“The world is flatter for all of us than it was. There are more funding opportunities and much easier ability to access them,” he adds.

For lecturers, as they complain about salary increments, they also need to broaden their concerns and to talk about the need for resources for research, health insurance, and expanding facilities for teaching. “They are in large part always complaining about pay, pay, we need to systematically advocate for a more comprehensive research and learning environment,” he says.  

Out of the gates of Makerere, beginning of research career

After graduation in 1982, Prof. Serwadda reminisced about his internship at Nsambya Hospital after which he later joined Mulago Hospital, a National Specialised Hospital which was and still is the teaching facility of Makerere University College of Health Sciences as a Medical Officer in the Uganda Cancer Institute, UCI, in 1983. In 1985, Dr. Serwadda enrolled as a Senior Health Officer (SHO), studying a Masters of Internal Medicine at Makerere University. He would later graduate in 1989. He says he had a dead year at Makerere which he spent in the United Kingdom, the UK studying Metabolic Medicine at Newcastle Upon Tyne Medical School.

Prof Serwadda’s research in HIV/AIDS began when he was working at the Cancer Institute between 1983 to 1985. The institute was receiving patients of “Kaposi Sarcoma,” a disease which causes plaque-like lesions on the upper arms and legs and also in aggressive form involves the lymph nodes, internal organs, and mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and throat as often is seen with individuals with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. This was strange then because the clinical manifestations of Kaposi Sarcoma were at the time what was being seen in the United States of America where “men were having sex with men.”

More intriguing was, according to Prof. Serwadda, as time went on, almost all patients with aggressive Kaposi sarcoma that were admitted at UCI come from Masaka and Rakai districts.

“There used to be a surgeon called Mr. J.W Carswell, who linked us to a virologist in the UK called Dr. Robert Downing and we were able to send blood samples of some patients from Uganda Cancer Institute, some of whom were residents of Masaka and Rakai districts,” he says. “The results indicated that of the 25 samples I had sent, 4 were positive for HIV, which at the time was referred to as HTLV-III,” he adds.

Prof. David M. Serwadda responding to questions during the interview.
Prof. David M. Serwadda responding to questions during the interview.

Though the first cases of patients with Kaposi Sarcoma had first been identified in around 1982, these were the first blood tests to confirm HIV/AIDS in Uganda.  Prof. Serwadda and his colleagues knew they were on to something big, hence they travelled to Masaka and Rakai–self funded–tested more blood samples which confirmed more positive cases, and then drafted a paper for The Lancet based on results from the tests. It would take months of back and forth communication with editors, through snail-mail given that there was no internet.

The paper was published in October 1985. The paper brought visibility for Prof. Serwadda which consequently had positive and negative impacts.

There was political resistance at the time from the Obote government when stories of patients with Kaposi sarcoma signs and symptoms started emerging.  When local newspaper The Start, published on December 29, 1984, the headline “Mysterious disease Kills 100 people in Rakai” Ezra Nkwasibwe, the then minister of health in Obote II government sent out a team to investigate, they concluded that this was typhoid.

On the positive side, it brought recognition to the authors. Prof. Serwadda together with co-authors wrote a big proposal that was eventually funded to establish the Rakai Health Science Program (RHSP) in 1988. “It’s like when you have built a house, and you want to build another one, it’s easy to get funding,” he said, explaining how easy it becomes for researchers to get funding once they have established a reputation.

With significant funding over the years, he says they generated an impressive number of high-impact publications in the HIV/AIDS field which has enabled Uganda and the world to understand the dynamics of transmission better. But most importantly provided HIV prevention and care to over 200,000 clients in Rakai and the greater Masaka region.

Immense research output, nurturing leaders

During his three decades at Makerere University, Prof. Serwadda says he along with colleagues has contributed immensely to research, policy, and practice. This work has underpinned some of the significant contributions to the reduction of  HIV transmission and acquisition, through treatment and prevention. Prof Serwadda has on several occasions been the recipients of   annual awards from Makerere School of Public Health as the most prolific publisher. he says. “We have contributed our part in uplifting Uganda and Makerere University. Makerere University is known as a place one can do excellent medical research, however, we should and must increase our effort to invest in young researchers if it is to continue to have a top ranking.”

Prof. Serwadda says seeing his former students climbing ladders in academia and leadership gives him boundless joy. “Dean Rhoda Wanyenze was my student, I supervised her Masters of Public Health, we have done a number of projects together with her, and she is now the Dean, School of Public Health,” he says.  Prof. Serwadda says there is no head of the Department at School of Public Health who has not been his student at the undergraduate, post graduate level. “Now they are my bosses and I like that. That is building for the future and that’s what Makerere is all about. Seeing my students in positions of effective leadership and being able to help where I can give me enormous satisfaction.”

View on Mak@100

General

2024 Career Fair Tips Students on how to seize available job opportunities

Published

on

The DVCAA, Prof. Umar Kakumba addresses the gathering at the Career Fair on 15th March 2024. Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Bernard Buteera

On Friday 15th March 2024, Makerere University held its Annual Career Fair, an event that brings together students from universities and other tertiary institutions to meet and interact with industry experts to share information about existing career opportunities and the new skills needed by the job market. The 2024 Annual Career Fair was held under the theme; Breaking Barriers to Employment Opportunities, and brought together over 2,000 students from the University and Secondary schools around Kampala.

While presiding over the event that was held at Makerere University Freedom Square, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Umar Kakumba, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, hailed the many companies that had come on board to support the University in preparing the young people for transition and career progression.   

Representatives from Mastercard Foundation-Uganda listening attentively during the Career Fair. Career Fair, 15th March 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Representatives from Mastercard Foundation-Uganda listening attentively during the Career Fair.

“On behalf of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and my own behalf, I would like to thank the 20 companies that have partnered with us to support this year’s annual career affair, an event we believe will go a long way in providing career guidance and career mentorship for our students.” He remarked.

 Prof. Kakumba highlighted the importance of the Career Fair or Career Mentorship and why students should take advantage of it. He pointed out that career mentorship provides the most lucrative asset in the life of an individual, which is inspiration.

A cross-section of University students who attended the Career Fair. Career Fair, 15th March 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A cross-section of University students who attended the Career Fair.

“The idea of a Career Fair or Career interaction is very important because it inspires young people to aspire to achieve more than they ever dreamt. For most people who have excelled in life, it is not because they were the most brilliant in school, it is because of the career mentorship and guidance they received.” Prof Kakumba pointed out.

On his part, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Career Fair 2024 and Dean School of Computing and Informatics Technology, Dr. Joseph Balikuddembe thanked the University Management for coming up with the Annual Career Fair.

“I would like to thank the University Management under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Umar Kakumba in whose docket the Career Fair falls, for the vision and foresight that birthed the Career Fair, a critical event that brings university students and industry partners to interact to break barriers and find purpose,” Dr. Balikuddembe remarked.

Dr. Joseph Balikuddembe addresses the gathering at the Career Fair. Career Fair, 15th March 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Joseph Balikuddembe addresses the gathering at the Career Fair.

Dr. Balikuddembe spelled out the salient objectives of the career fair as being two-fold;

“The first one is creating strong relationships with both national and international organizations that will continuously support university students to get more opportunities for experiential learning through internships, voluntary roles and job placements, and the second one is for the university to offer career guidance to the students to address the fears related to the transition to the world of work and face the world of work with confidence.” Dr. Balikuddembe pointed out.

In her welcome remarks, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, thanked other partners who had joined the University and the Scholars Program to make the 2024 Career Fair a bigger and even better event.

Prof. Justine Namaalwa, addressing the gathering at the event. Career Fair, 15th March 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, addressing the gathering at the event.

“I would like to add my voice to that of the previous speakers and thank the many organizations and companies that have joined us to support and make this year’s annual Career Fair possible, and I call upon more organizations and companies out there to support the young people to transition to the world of work by breaking barriers to employment opportunities.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.

Prof. Namaalwa further thanked the young people who took off time to attend the career fair, a very important designed to help them get information and connections for internship and employment opportunities.

Some of the students from secondary schools that attended the Career Fair. Career Fair, 15th March 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the students from secondary schools that attended the Career Fair.

“I would like to thank young people who have made the right decision to be here today, you have stepped away from the crowd that is less informed and less connected in terms of transition.” Prof. Namaalwa further remarked.  

The 2024 Annual Career Fair was organized by Makerere University in conjunction with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere with support from 20 organizations, companies, and exhibitors. The organizations and companies that supported the event were The Mastercard Foundation, ABSA Bank, Bank of Africa, Centenary Bank, Coca-Cola, Chinese Communication Construction Company, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University Confucius Institute, Post Bank, Stanbic Bank, Pearl Mariner Investments, Mirembe Villas-Kigo, Good brothers, Star Times, ZTE, Tiang Tang Group among many others.

Students visiting the Coca-Cola stall, one of the exhibitors at the Fair. Career Fair, 15th March 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Students visiting the Coca-Cola stall, one of the exhibitors at the Fair.

The event was characterized by several activities such as; onsite graduate and internship placements, interaction with industry experts, panel discussions, exhibitions, and moderate entertainment. The next Career Fair will be held in March 2025.

Bernard Buteera is the Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.

Continue Reading

General

Mufti Menk urges youth on productivity, social media usage & entrepreneurship

Published

on

Ag. Vice Chancellor-Prof. Umar Kakumba (Centre) presents Mak Souvenirs to Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk (2nd Left) as Right to Left: Dean of Students-Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, University Imaam-Dr. Sowed Juma Mayanja and MUMSA Patron-Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke witness on 8th March 2024. Mufti Menk Visit and Public Lecture, 8th March 2024, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Ritah Namisango

Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk has urged youth to be productive and hardworking even under great hardships.

“Whatever the country will be, depends on the youth. When you are young, ensure that you are productive. I advise you to encourage each other with love, respect and support in order to develop your country. Pray together, play together and work together,” said Mufti Menk.

He stated: “I am here to tell the youth in Uganda to work and develop their communities. You must develop a positive attitude towards work and your country. I advise you to shun any bad habit so that you become responsible citizens. You must shun laziness, idleness and bad habits such as use of drugs, addiction to alcohol and pornography.  You must develop good habits. When you disagree with someone, let it be with respect.”

This was during the Mufti Menk Public Lecture held at the Makerere University Rugby Grounds on March 8, 2024. Running under the theme, ‘Muslim Youth and Work Ethics’, the lecture was hosted by the Office of the Makerere University Imaam.  He was officially welcomed by Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, in his capacity as the Acting Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Sowed Juma Mayanja, the University Imaam.

Prof. Umar Kakumba addresses the audience during the public lecture. Mufti Menk Visit and Public Lecture, 8th March 2024, Rugby Grounds, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Umar Kakumba addresses the audience during the public lecture.

Mufti Menk, as he is popularly known, is the grand mufti of Zimbabwe, the head of the fatwa department of the Council of Islamic Scholars of Zimbabwe and a renowned international Muslim scholar and motivational speaker. He holds a degree in Sharia and a doctorate in Social Guidance. His lectures boast a wide audience on YouTube and other social media platforms globally. His lectures and preaching are credited with having converted millions of people to Islam.

Mufti Menk was accompanied by Sheikh Wael Ibrahim from Australia and Dr. Muhammad Salah from Egypt, each of whom was given a preaching session.

Some of the University officials who listened to the lecture include: Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi-Academic Registrar, Mrs Winifred Kabumbuli-Dean of Students, Prof. Abasi Kiyimba-Mak Department of Literature, Dr. Oria Hussein-Chairperson Makerere University Mosque Board, Dr. Muhammed Kiggundu Musoke-Patron (Makerere University Muslim Students Association) MUMSA, Ms Ritah Namisango-Principal Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmed Ssentongo (Imaam Emeritus), to mention but a few.

THE LECTURE

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kakumba welcomed Mufti Menk and his delegation to Makerere University-the institution that nurtured and trained great men and women who have contributed to the development of the continent. “It is a great honour to host you to speak to the youth on preaching peace, unity and development.”

Mufti Menk acknowledged Makerere University leadership, staff and students for the warm reception. He applauded Allah for the good weather, the green and trees at Makerere University, and for all the good that Allah, bestowed upon Uganda, a beautiful country with hardworking people, organic foods such as very sweet bananas as well as delicious pineapples. He affirmed that Uganda is indeed the pearl of Africa.

Prof. Umar Kakumba (Left), Mufti Menk (3rd Left) and other officials follow proceedings during the lecture. Mufti Menk Visit and Public Lecture, 8th March 2024, Rugby Grounds, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Umar Kakumba (Left), Mufti Menk (3rd Left) and other officials follow proceedings during the lecture.

In his youth-centred lecture, he rallied the youth to be the torch bearers including the realization that they have a great responsibility to determine the destiny of Uganda. He explained that this starts with the youth recognizing this calling, working towards developing a positive attitude, believing that they can make a positive difference, shunning bad habits, and committing to being responsible citizens.

“To the youth and everyone here, I encourage you to build yourself. No one is going to build you up, if you do not,” he remarked, before adding  “You are young, the future is in your hands, if you do the right things, the future will be bright.”

He reminded the youth to avoid words of hate for they bring about destruction. “Watch your words, watch your mouth. If you do not agree with someone, disagree with respect.”

Aware of the existence of a number of religious groups, Mufti Menk acknowledged this diversity and offered a message of living in harmony with one another.  “Be careful about how you disagree with people from another faith. If we disagree, it should be with respect.”

Mufti Menk delivers his lecture to part of the majority-youth audience. Mufti Menk Visit and Public Lecture, 8th March 2024, Rugby Grounds, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mufti Menk delivers his lecture to part of the majority-youth audience.

To the youth from poor backgrounds, Mufti Menk provided a message of hope and encouragement pointing out that many people from such backgrounds have succeeded in life. “Even if you come from a poor background, you can achieve. I encourage you to work hard, keep trying, never give up, and you will achieve.”

Tackling leadership, Mufti Menk guided that true leadership is heavily anchored in solving problems, and not fleeing from them. “Differences between us are normal, but differences can make us or break us depending on how we handle them. Those who aim to solve the problems and conflicts in the family, the Ummah or the country are the true leaders.”

Mufti Menk said the youth should be agitated if they lose connection with Allah. He advised youth to target their efforts and love towards Allah, above anyone and anything else, and to avoid doing things that displease Allah and compromise their relationship with Allah. He called upon the youth to uphold the importance of prayer. “Whatever you do, ask for Allah’s guidance. Do not ever get prayer out of your life.”

He implored the youth to use social media constructively such as learning, doing business and job creation, instead of gossip, hate speech, pornography, addiction and general idleness. “Take the example of TikTok; the bad side of TikTok is spreading faster than the good side. So, I urge you, when you see a good and useful message on TikTok, do not just read it and flip on; instead, like it and forward it to many people so that the good messages can outnumber the bad ones.”

Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli (Left) and Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Right) follow proceedings. Mufti Menk Visit and Public Lecture, 8th March 2024, Rugby Grounds, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli (Left) and Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Right) follow proceedings.

The Mufti cautioned the youth against disrespecting people they may not agree with. “Even in Islam, there are many sects, but they are all part of the Ummah, and should be accommodated. Everyone makes mistakes. Even married couples or siblings disagree. Therefore, you should learn to live with diverse people in the Ummah or in your country. You should emulate Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who would painstakingly speak to people in the wrong, to win them over and expand the Ummah,” he counseled.

Mufti Menk urged youth to fight bad habits, especially addictions such as pornography, substance abuse, adultery, hate speech and gossip. He advised them to be on the guard to resist temptations that arise from the various media in our hypersexual age. To achieve this, he said, youth need to develop self-confidence and self-esteem.

 “Do not be shy; look for help whenever you are in problems of addiction. Be careful and selective because the media promotes a lot of bad desires and behaviours. Care for and help one another. None of you is useless, but you must realize this fact yourself. Drop the negative attitude, and adopt a positive attitude towards different situations and relationships.”

On entrepreneurship, Mufti Menk shared his belief that it provides a solution to lack of jobs and unemployment of the youth. “There is a blessing in entrepreneurship. Sometimes Allah has chosen you for business /entrepreneurship,” he highlighted.  

Mufti Menk urged the youth to use social media productively and avoid hate speech. Mufti Menk Visit and Public Lecture, 8th March 2024, Rugby Grounds, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mufti Menk urged the youth to use social media productively and avoid hate speech.

He appealed to the youth to continue searching for jobs. “Don’t give up looking for jobs, scarce as they may be. But, in the meantime, buy something and sell it, do some entrepreneurship. Avoid complaining, and never give up! However intelligent you may be, never stop praying to and trusting in Allah! Never take prayer out of the equation! Also, help those more challenged or vulnerable than you, such as orphans, widows, persons with disabilities or the unemployed.”

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Other activities of the day included Qur’anic recitation by a male student, three preaching sessions, Jummah prayers and Asr prayers.

Being the International Women’s Day, the preaching during the Jummah prayers focused on the fact that Islam gave a lot of rights to women such as inheritance of property. However, the preacher stressed that according to Allah, obligations are more important than rights for every human being.   

On March 9, the Mufti attended a religious and interactive cooperation dinner at Serena Kampala hotel for charity causes, where a ticket cost Shs 150,000 for individual person and Shs 5 million for a table.

The organizers of the Mufti’s visit to Uganda said they had invited all Imaams of the 15,000 mosques in the country and all district khadis to the activities of both days.

Continue Reading

General

Mak Council Launches Grants Management System, Underscores Support Role

Published

on

The Chairperson FPAIC-Mr. Bruce Kabaasa (2nd Left), Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (3rd Right) DVCFA-Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (Right), Chairperson Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee-Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi (2nd Right), Head GAMSU-Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza (3rd Left) and MakGMS Lead Developer-Mr. Denis Wamala (Left) pose for a group photo on 12th March 2024. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) was on Tuesday 12th March 2024 officially launched by the University Council at a ceremony presided over by the Chairperson, Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC), Mr. Bruce Kabaasa. The hybrid ceremony held in the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall was graced by Members of Management led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Leadership and Staff of the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) as well as Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) and project Principal Investigators.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor who credited Chairperson FPAIC with not only conceiving the idea but also following up on the development of MakGMS concluded that there was no one better placed to launch the same. Mr. Kabaasa in turn thanked former members of FPAIC such as Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta for going the extra mile in contributing to the formulation of the supporting regulation, the Makerere University Grants and Administration Management Policy. In the same breath, he thanked the Head GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza for working hard and swiftly to ensure that the MakGMS is developed and launched.

The Chairperson FPAIC, Mr. Bruce Kabaasa addresses the audience at the launch. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Chairperson FPAIC, Mr. Bruce Kabaasa addresses the audience at the launch.

Mr. Kabaasa reassured his audience that the essence of the policy and system is not to control, but rather provide an institutionalised support mechanism for those winning grants to execute them efficiently. Additionally, he said MakGMS is meant to “support those who don’t have the grants to understand where the grants are, and to perform mentoring that those of you who are successful are meant to perform with those who are emerging because academia is a mentoring field.”

Still on academia, the Chairperson FPAIC noted that “we live in a University where statements like inter, intra and multidisciplinary are the mantras of academic discourse.” He added that these mantras are not possible if people are not relating, hence underscoring another function of the MakGMS – to provide a dashboard where at a glance, it will be easy and possible to see the research being undertaken at institutional level and how researchers can augment each other’s work.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended in-house development of Information Systems such as MakGMS. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended in-house development of Information Systems such as MakGMS.

Earlier, Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks had noted that as Makerere University aims to shift from a research-intensive to a research-led paradigm, it was important to organize and automate the various systems so as to ensure that all staff and students contribute to the university’s strategic direction. Citing China’s continued rise in global influence as a result of a robust research and innovations output, the Vice Chancellor reiterated that unless systems such as MakGMS were put in place, it was going to be hard to monitor and evaluate how Makerere’s research contributes to national and continental growth aspirations.

“MakGMS is one way to streamline what we are doing so that we can do more research, attract more grants, get more people involved and know who is doing what and how it is useful for our country and continent” he stated.

Prof. Nawangwe therefore congratulated the Head GAMSU and her team for bringing the much-needed energy that has propelled the MakGMS to launch stage. He lauded the GAMSU Steering Committee headed by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, acknowledging that with their combined strength, the system could not fail. In the same breath, he commended the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) headed by Mr. Samuel Mugabi for doing an excellent job in as far as the in-house development of systems is concerned.

Left to Right: Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Mr. Bruce Kabaasa and Prof. Henry Alinaitwe at the MakGMS launch event. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Right: Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Mr. Bruce Kabaasa and Prof. Henry Alinaitwe at the MakGMS launch event.

Acknowledging that GAMSU is a key unit of the university that cannot be taken for granted in terms of generating data for off-budget reporting, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe introduced members of the Steering Committee namely; the University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Dr. Charles Masembe, Dr. Agnes Rwashana Semwanga, Dr. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Dr. Godfrey Akileng, Dr. Robert Wamala, Mr. Gyaviira Lubowa and current Head GAMSU-Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza. He equally acknowledged the contribution of former Heads of GAMSU, Prof. Grace Bantebya and Prof. William Bazeyo, whose efforts, he said, laid the foundation for developments such as MakGMS.

“Makerere is aspiring to be a research-led University and GAMSU is at the centre of that aspiration. This is where we consolidate all the data regarding grants, support research or grant writing, and report about grants in terms of topics, amounts of money received and their distributions per quarter or annum” Prof. Alinaitwe explained.

Left to Right: Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Mr. Stephen Mpirirwe, Mr. Juma Katongole, Mr. Denis Wamala, Mr. Yunusu Musisi and Ms. Ritah Namisango. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Right: Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Mr. Stephen Mpirirwe, Mr. Juma Katongole, Mr. Denis Wamala, Mr. Yunusu Musisi and Ms. Ritah Namisango.

In his capacity as the University Accounting Officer, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda used the launch as an opportunity to remind the audience that all grants received by the University are subject to the supreme law in the administration of public funds i.e. the Public Finance Management Act, as well as guidelines of the Treasury Instructions 2017. Nevertheless, he noted that Section 44 of the Act provides a waiver for public entities such as Makerere to maintain the funds in-house upon obtaining exemption from the Minister responsible for Finance. He concluded by observing that whereas it had hitherto been nearly impossible to obtain the aforementioned waiver, “with the launch of this system (MakGMS), I believe that problem is resolved.”

The woman of the moment Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza couldn’t help but thank the Vice Chancellor for entrusting her with the huge responsibility of heading GAMSU, noting that there was no better way to commemorate her first year in office than the launch of MakGMS. She equally acknowledged the support rendered by the University Secretary and the entire Management to GAMSU during the development of the system. MakGMS was developed in-house by DICTS, with Mr. Denis Wamala as lead developer seconded by the Director Mr. Samuel Mugabi.

The Head GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza makes a presentation on the MakGMS. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Head GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza makes a presentation on the MakGMS.

Speaking broadly about the research infrastructure at Makerere, Mr. Mugabi described ICT as “a critical enabler of the research ecosystem”, and that it is important that the University establishes state-of-the-art digital research infrastructure. He added that the approach taken by Makerere in this regard is to gradually shift from procuring expensive proprietary systems to building in-house capacity to develop systems that can solve institutional and national problems.

“We are now an integrated process-driven University but we need to become a data-driven institution and that is where the big data analytics comes in. And we need to adopt emerging technologies, which we are starting to do” Mr. Mugabi shared.

Speaking more about the system, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza noted that MakGMS will require authentication using the Makerere University email credentials and all who are going to access the system will be required to sign oaths of confidentiality so as to build trust among system users. MakGMS will also support archiving of supporting documents and research data, and will be able to automatically issue certificates to users for grants received. The system will also integrate automatic communication between GAMSU and Principal Investigators so as to notify researchers on the progress of grant applications. SMS notifications to users will be incorporated in the future.

Mr. Bruce Kabaasa and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Centre) pose for a group photo with members of Management, Leadership of GAMSU and Principal Investigators. Makerere University Grants Management System (MakGMS) Launch, 12th March 2024, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) Conference Hall, CAES, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Bruce Kabaasa and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Centre) pose for a group photo with members of Management, Leadership of GAMSU and Principal Investigators.

Supplementing Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza’s submission, the Lead Developer, Mr. Denis Wamala shared that MakGMS has been built on robust, scalable infrastructure that is primarily open source. The merits of this is that the system will be easy to integrate with other existing Information Systems, which will greatly enhance data sharing.

Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza concluded by reassuring all Principal Investigators that the MakGMS is here to support their work, and that GAMSU remains committed to providing training on grant writing in partnership with the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) as well as providing all supporting documents required during application processes. She added that MakGMS will greatly enhance monitoring and evaluation of grants performance so as to offer insights on how to improve or mitigate any risks that could arise.

Proceedings of the launch were moderated by the Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ritah Namisango and committed to God Almighty through a prayer led by the GAMSU Accountant, Ms. Christine Ninsiima.

Continue Reading

Trending