General
MUDF Continuation Emphasizes role of Deans in realization of Academic Policies
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA organized a continuation of the third Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) on 21st October 2022 to further acquaint Deans with the policy environment in which they operate. At the previous workshop held on 29th September 2022, Deans received presentations from the Vice Chancellor – Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, DVCAA and Patron MUDF – Prof. Umar Kakumba, Chairperson MUDF Executive Committee and Dean, School of Public Health – Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Quality Assurance Director (QAD) – Dr. Cyprian Misinde as well as policy highlights from the Deputy Registrar (Senate) – Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi and Deputy Director Research and Graduate Training – Prof. Robert Wamala. Also shared at the previous workshop were past experiences of Deans, Prof. Ronald Bisaso and Prof. John Mango.
Welcoming Deans to the workshop, Prof. Wanyenze said MUDF, the brainchild of Prof. Umar Kakumba, was founded on 14th June 2019 out of the need to create a space for Deans to get together outside Senate, get to know each other better and share common interests. “We have had the opportunity to share what’s challenging us and we have passed these on to our patron the DVCAA.”
She added that orientation of Deans and leaders in the university is an important activity and the workshop was an opportunity to specifically acquaint themselves with the foundations of academic policy. She equally advised Deans to take keen interest in the activities of the MUDF particularly its governance, with elective positions that run for two-year terms, renewable once.
The role of Dean is clearly spelled out under section 53 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), 2001 (as amended). Subsection (4) of the same states that:
“The Dean or Director shall be responsible for the general supervision and administration for the affairs of the faculty, institute, college or other academic body and as such shall be responsible for the promotion and maintenance of efficient teaching and research in the relevant body.”
section 53, subsection (4), UOTIA 2001 (as amended)
Making a presentation on Academic Policies and Roles of Senate to the Deans, Mrs. Mushengyezi noted that the Senate whose membership consists of Deans has executive, advisory and delegated roles. These are further broken down as; Executive – organisation, control and direction of executive matters, Advisory – initiate academic policy and advise Council on implementation requirements, and Delegated – may delegate any of its powers or functions to a School/College board of studies.
The membership to Senate as outlined in the UOTIA section 44 2(c) equips Deans to be, “an implementer of the academic policies at the School, a custodian of the polices, an enforcer of regulations and an instructor of students on Policies” explained Mrs. Mushengyezi.
She added that the School Board of Studies; regulates teaching, monitors attendance of students and lecturers, admission of both undergraduate and graduate students as well as progression of students, and approves examination results. “The question you ought to ask as you admit students is, do you have capacity, infrastructure, and human resource required to teach that programme?”
Mrs. Mushengyezi additionally appraised Deans on the functions of the Academic Programmes and Library Committee which is responsible for approval of developed and revised curricula from departments. She further expounded on the Research and Graduate Training (Higher Degrees) Committee that oversees the appointment of supervisors, internal and external examiners and doctoral committees as well as organises viva voce meetings and public defences of theses.
“The academic leadership role of the Dean is enshrined in the mandate, functions and roles of Senate, hence the Dean is the arm of Senate at the School. Let us all strive to do our best” she concluded.
The roles of Senate and by extension the Deans notwithstanding, whereas the day-to-day affairs of graduate students are handled at each academic Unit, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) is expected to coordinate the quality assurance and policy oversight roles. Prof. Wamala therefore shared that the Makerere University Graduate Handbook is a living document informed by several University policies including the; Research and innovations policy, Intellectual Property Management (IPM) Policy, and Conflict of Interest Policy among others. “It is very important for us to have that background information as we guide various committees.”
Prof. Wamala equally advised Deans to familiarize themselves with the various Masters’ programme plans and the typical progression of PhD programmes from Year Zero (0) to Year Four (4). Makerere University offers four Masters Plans; Plan A – coursework and dissertation, Plan B – Extended Coursework and Project Report, Plan C – Coursework and Comprehensive Examination, and Plan D – Thesis only.
Similarly, the PhD progression consists of; Year Zero (0) – Admission and appointment of supervisors, Year One (1) – Coursework, examination and start of thesis work, Year Two (2) – Continuation of coursework, approval of research topic, and thesis work. Year Three (3) is characterized by thesis work, while Year Four (4) entails conclusion of thesis work, formal approval for thesis defence and actual public defence. All this takes place in the midst of continuous extracurricular writing labs, seminars and conference presentations as well as evaluation.
Prof. Wamala particularly emphasized the need for Deans to appreciate the scope of the IPM Policy and its provisions for Intellectual Property (IP) created by staff and students. Under scope, he shared that the policy applies to all staff members, students and visitors who participate in a research project or produce inventive, creative, scholarly or artistic works.
Further explaining the spirit of the policy, Prof. Wamala shared that the University is the primary owner of all IP created by staff during the course of their employment or contract by the university. However, he noted that exceptions of ownership will be made in cases where IP is created outside the scope of a member of staff’s employment and without substantial use of university resources.
Delivering the day’s concluding remarks, Prof. Umar Kakumba noted that Deans as leaders need to always seek ways of adding value to the institution, especially since it is a living entity that is constantly growing. “At the end of the day we have a contribution to make to our institution either individually or collectively as well as a duty to leave a good legacy.”
He acknowledged that the COVID-19 lockdown had affected the sitting of Advanced Level examinations in 2020 and 2021 and by extension, the admissions process, which the Deans are responsible for at School level. He nevertheless reassured the Deans that the full reopening of the economy had brought forth stability that would henceforth normalise the number of students admitted to the various degree programmes and ease their work.
On initiatives to improve Makerere’s contribution to knowledge generation, the DVCAA and Patron MUDF noted that the university had allocated a portion of Government support through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) to PhD students to enable them complete their research. “What we are targeting for this year is completion; for PhD students to collect data, analyse it and write their reports.”
Prof. Kakumba thanked the Deans for sparing time to attend the workshop and expressed his readiness to continue championing their various causes in the relevant fora.
Agriculture & Environment
Makerere Hosts Inaugural Falling Walls Lab Competition as Innovators Pitch Solutions to National Challenges
Students and researchers from Makerere University and other institutions pitched 12 innovations addressing challenges in healthcare, clean energy, agriculture, waste management and community resilience during the inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala, held at the School of Public Health Auditorium, Makerere University.
The competition brought together emerging innovators to present solutions to practical challenges through a three minute pitch, followed by questions from a panel of judges.
Modelled on the Falling Walls format that originated in Berlin, the event required each participant to identify a “wall” a problem or barrier, and demonstrate how their innovation seeks to break it down.
Mudhasi wins with newborn jaundice screening device
Andrew Mudhasi of Makerere University emerged as the overall winner with a score of 90 per cent for a low cost medical device designed to improve newborn jaundice screening across different skin tones.
Mudhasi explained that the device uses optical sensor technology and a skin tone targeting algorithm to provide a rapid reading, with the aim of helping nurses and clinicians identify jaundice more efficiently.
During questions from the jury, Mudhasi said the device had not yet been tested on actual babies but had undergone laboratory testing using simulated skin tones.
He reported an accuracy rate of 94 per cent when the device was compared with laboratory spectrophotometers.
The innovation is intended initially for use in clinics and hospitals, with Mudhasi saying the team is also considering a version that could eventually allow mothers to screen babies at home.
Mudhasi’s innovation has previously received recognition at the African Business Concept Challenge and the iF Design Student Award, according to his presentation.
Rhonda’s innovation tackles diaper waste
Rhoda John of the University of Nairobi emerged in second place with 89.6 per cent for an innovation addressing the problem of used diaper waste.
Under the theme “Breaking the wall of diaper waste and drug soils,” Rhonda explained that her team extracts sodium polyacrylate, the absorbent polymer found in diapers, and replaces the sodium with potassium.
The resulting potassium based superabsorbent material is designed to act as a “water battery” in soil by absorbing and retaining water for plants during dry periods.
John said testing showed a 99 per cent increase in germination and a 23 per cent increase in drought resistance.
The innovation also seeks to reduce the amount of used diapers ending up in landfills and the environmental effects associated with their decomposition.
During the question and answer session, John explained that her team was working with government environmental officials in Nairobi on a pilot collection system to address the challenge of gathering used diapers at scale.
Mahera takes third place with herbal peptic ulcer treatment
Stuart Mahera of Makerere University finished third with 86.2 per cent for a herbal formulation targeting peptic ulcers.
Presenting under the theme “Breaking the wall of Nature and Modern Medicine,” Mahera argued that conventional treatment for peptic ulcers can involve multiple medicines and may be associated with side effects and antimicrobial resistance.
His proposed formulation, MARAC capsules, is intended as a monotherapy, combining properties required for peptic-ulcer treatment in a single capsule.
Mahera said his team had carried out quality control work, including characterisation and dose quantification, and had conducted preclinical trials on laboratory mice.
He also told the jury that an application had been submitted to the National Drug Authority as the team awaits the next stage of the regulatory process.
According to Mahera, the proposed seven day treatment would cost about Shs21,000, compared with the existing 14 day treatment approach.
Innovators present solutions to practical challenges
The remaining presentations covered a wide range of challenges.
Esther Nakungu of Utamu University presented Agri-Track, a digital record keeping solution intended to improve visibility, accountability and management of farm operations and financial information.
Dr. Jimmy Chachiga, a Makerere University participant, presented a solar photovoltaic cooker with a heat storage system designed to provide a cleaner and more reliable cooking option during both sunny and non sunny periods.
His presentation focused on reducing dependence on biomass fuels and addressing the challenges associated with intermittent solar energy.
Abdul Noor Luttamaguzi, a PhD student and senior government fisheries officer, presented a mobile application aimed at helping fish farmers and extension officers report, track and manage disease outbreaks.
Henry Duke Tamale presented a herbal cream targeting antibiotic resistant biofilm infections associated with diabetic foot ulcers.
Marvin Seruwu proposed adapting existing near infrared brain monitoring technology to help detect extra-axial brain bleeds in health facilities where access to CT and MRI equipment is limited.
His proposal seeks to repurpose existing technology towards a diagnostic need that could be particularly important in settings where advanced imaging facilities are not readily available.
Kennedy Kisame presented a poultry alert and diagnosis system combining satellite weather information with computer vision disease detection. The proposed system could be accessed through a smartphone application, SMS or USSD, making it potentially usable by farmers with limited internet access.
Frank Atwiine proposed a solar powered mobile diagnostic van designed to bring ultrasound and other diagnostic services closer to rural communities.
Johnson Makmot, a software and blockchain developer, presented a platform that combines GPS tracking and blockchain-based tokens to incentivise and verify plastic-waste collection in Kampala.
Dr. Nelson Ndugu, from a partner university, presented an artificial intelligence tool designed to translate agricultural research publications into local Ugandan languages and generate voice notes for radio-based extension delivery.
The final presentation came from Dr. Juliet Akola, a Ugandan post doctoral researcher at Mangosuthu University of Technology in South Africa.
Akola presented a community digital resilience initiative focused on mapping risks in Kampala’s informal settlements, including flooding, fire, poor sanitation, waste management and inadequate infrastructure.
Her proposal seeks to combine local community knowledge with geographical information systems and link identified risks to action plans involving municipalities and other stakeholders.
Nawangwe calls for more investment in innovation
Closing the event, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated all the participants and described their presentations as an important beginning for Makerere University, Uganda and the wider region.
Drawing on his experience attending the Falling Walls conference in Berlin, the Vice Chancellor said initiatives of this nature are important because innovation will play a major role in determining the future of countries.
He encouraged participants to make their pitches more precise by clearly identifying the problem they are addressing, explaining their proposed solution and demonstrating what they have already achieved.
Prof. Nawangwe also welcomed the participation of innovators from other universities and countries, noting that the Kampala event had attracted participants beyond Makerere.
He thanked the Africa Office of the Falling Walls Foundation for its role in bringing the initiative to Makerere and encouraged continued support for innovation.
The Vice Chancellor further linked innovation to Uganda’s growing youth population and the need to develop home-grown solutions to address challenges such as youth unemployment.
The inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala ultimately provided a platform for innovators to move ideas beyond the classroom and laboratory and demonstrate how research, technology and creativity can be applied to challenges affecting communities.
| Position | Winner | Institution | Score |
| 1st | Andrew Mudhasi | Makerere University | 90% |
| 2nd | Rhoda John | University of Nairobi | 89.6% |
| 3rd | Stuart Mahera | Makerere University | 86.2% |
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