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Rt. Hon. PM to Amplify Mak Call for Govt. to Invest More in Graduate Training

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The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja represented by the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Obua has reiterated Government’s readiness to continue supporting bankable research projects at Makerere University that are in line with national development priorities. Hon. Obua made the remarks as Chief Guest at the Annual Doctoral Convention organised by the PhD Fellows at Makerere (PF@Mak) together with the Directorate for Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) on 28th February 2023. He, in his personal capacity, further pledged to amplify the clarion calls by the Vice Chancellor, Director DRGT and President PhD Fellows for the Government to invest more in graduate training.

“Today I join you Vice Chancellor and your team as an Ambassador in carrying forward this message, and you can rely on that” reassured Hon. Obua.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe had in his remarks drawn parallels between China’s astronomical economic progress and the Nation’s heavy investment higher education, and appealed to Government to establish either a dedicated graduate student scholarship or loan scheme.

“The whole world is living in a knowledge economy and those who have the knowledge will prosper and leave behind those who do not have the knowledge” he explained.

On the knowledge front, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister commended Makerere researchers for contributing immensely to National priorities of food security, governance and community welfare and mindset change.

Hon. Denis Hamson Obua (L) receives an assortment of Mak Souvenirs on behalf of the Right Honourable Prime Minister from Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) after delivering the Keynote address at the Makerere University Annual Doctoral Convention 2023.
Hon. Denis Hamson Obua (L) receives an assortment of Mak Souvenirs on behalf of the Right Honourable Prime Minister from Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) after delivering the Keynote address at the Makerere University Annual Doctoral Convention 2023.

“Go to National Agricultural Research Organisation and see the new crop varieties. Go to Uganda Coffee Development Authority and see the progress. Visit our Uganda Virus Research Institute, Makerere Infectious Diseases Institute” he rallied, before adding “We welcome more resource persons of your caliber with the appropriate skillset to carry on with the mantle.”

Turning to the Convention, Hon. Obua commended the PhD Fellows for undertaking research projects covering topics such as health, governance, technology, innovation, environment, food security and bio-safety, noting that their findings will help improve policy and practice. He reassured researchers of Government support for projects that address challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change effects as well as the need to improve tourism, education, rural development, transport and communication, which all require vigorous research.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the Leadership had taken a strategic decision to use UGX 1.5 Billion of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) to support PhD students to conduct research. This move, he said, was aimed at creating a critical mass of researchers that provide solutions responsive to development challenges, such as the drought resistant cassava varieties produced by researchers that helped prevent the re-occurrence of severe famine in Eastern Uganda approximately fifteen years ago. “You cannot put a value to that.”

He therefore commended the PhD fellows for organizing the convention and making their contribution to the University’s goal to become research-led. Citing examples such as the Graduate Training Lounge at the Sir Albert Cook Library, College of Health Sciences (CHS), the Vice Chancellor applauded Colleges that had set aside designated spaces for PhD students.

“As Management, we are making every effort to establish a dedicated building for the School of Graduate Studies… and I hope that this will greatly improve the conditions of work for the PhD Students” he added.

Prof. Edward Bbaale addresses the Annual Doctoral Convention 2023.
Prof. Edward Bbaale addresses the Annual Doctoral Convention 2023.

The Director DRGT, Prof. Edward Bbaale thanked the Government of Uganda for funding research at Makerere through Mak-RIF, and appreciated the Vice Chancellor for his leadership that has identified graduate training and research as being instrumental for societal transformation and development. He added that in young, energetic and enthusiastic students that seek to undertake graduate studies as well as well qualified staff committed to their duty, Makerere is more than ready to double efforts in as far as graduate training is concerned.

“The Directorate of Graduate Training is committed to continuously building an environment that is conducive for research and graduate training to flourish at Makerere. We shall continue working with Colleges, Schools and Departments to ensure an improved research and graduate training environment” added Prof. Bbaale.

He noted that the 2023 doctoral convention is one of the platforms for Fellows to share expertise and experiences as well as challenge each other to produce outputs for societal transformation. “It is upon you, dear doctoral candidates, to undertake research with this theme [Positioning Research for National Development] in mind because all we are doing is trying to unlock the potential of graduate studies to respond to national and regional development challenges.”

PhD Fellows President, Mr. Gerald Ahabwe Zihembire.
PhD Fellows President, Mr. Gerald Ahabwe Zihembire.

The Deputy Director DRGT, Prof. Julius Kikooma who doubled as the Convention’s Co-emcee reiterated that the Directorate’s mandate to coordinate, monitor and provide an enabling environment for quality graduate training is at the heart of attaining Makerere’s research-led goal. Graduate training especially at Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels, it is envisaged, will play a cardinal role in achieving this goal, due to its identified potential for knowledge production that responds to national, regional and global development challenges.

PhD Fellows President, Mr. Gerald Ahabwe Zihembire appreciated the Government for the support received through Mak-RIF, noting that it was a positive trend in ongoing efforts to secure funding for doctoral training at Makerere University. He thanked the Vice Chancellor for championing a collaborative agenda that had benefited various Fellows through exchange visits to partner universities that Makerere had entered into MoUs with. He appreciated the Fellows for submitting abstracts to Convention, adding that it will provide visibility for their work.

Please click below to access the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister’s Keynote address.

Mark Wamai

Research

The Uganda Higher Education Review Vol. 12, Issue 1

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The cover page of the Uganda Higher Education Review Vol 12, Issue 1. NCHE, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is mandated under Section 4(b) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 262, to promote and develop the processing and dissemination of information on higher education for the benefit of the public. In line with this mandate, NCHE has consistently advanced scholarly discourse in higher education through The Uganda Higher Education Review Journal, published semi-annually in May and November.

It is my privilege to present to you Volume 12, Issue 1 (November 2024) of the journal, now available electronically via DOI: 10.58653 and with ISSN 1813-2243 (print) and 2958-5473 (online). The articles in this issue embody a profound commitment to rigorous inquiry, intellectual curiosity, and scholarly excellence.

This edition explores critical themes, including:

  1. Financing and Investment in Higher Education.
  2. The Adoption of Emerging Technologies in the Digital Transformation of Higher Education.
  3. Improving Access and Inclusivity in Higher Education in Uganda: Addressing the Nation’s Low Gross Enrolment Ratio.
  4. The Role of the Private Sector in Enhancing Graduate Skills and Employability through Technology Innovation.

I sincerely appreciate the contributors whose unwavering dedication to their fields has enriched the publication. I also acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the authors, NCHE staff and Management, the editorial team, and the reviewers. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in ensuring the quality and integrity of the research presented in this volume.

Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mak Editor

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Natural Sciences

CARTA Fellow Anywar Attends 2024 World Science Forum

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Dr. Godwin Anywar, at the 2024 World Science Forum that took place in Budapest, Hungary from 20th-23rd November. College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Godwin Anywar, cohort 6, Makerere University, attended the 2024 World Science Forum that took place on November 20 – 23, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. At the forum, he participated in a side event: ‘Trust in Science’, a workshop for early career researchers organized by the Global Young Academy (GYA) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP). 

On November 26 – 28, 2024, he attended the twentieth annual meeting of the African Science Academies (AMASA 2024) and the General Assembly of the Network of African Academies of Sciences (NASAC), in Algiers, Algeria. He presented on ‘Promoting Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development in Africa’ as one the co-leads of the Science Diplomacy in Africa working group of the Global Young Academy’. 

Godwin also participated in the Uganda Text Book Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association (UTANA)- hybrid symposium on authorship capacity where he moderated a panel session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and academic authorship. With the theme ‘Capacity building for academic and nonfiction authorship for Africa’s Transformation’ the symposium took place from November 14 -15, 2024 in Kampala, Uganda. 

Additionally, he attended and moderated a session on the regulation and registration of herbal medicinal products (HMP) in African countries. Organized by the Society for Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research (GA) in collaboration with PharmaConnect Africa NPC and The Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA), the session was part of an eSeminar series ‘Regulation of Natural Products – a Global Challenge’.

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 83

Mark Wamai

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Research

In vitro antifungal activities of medicinal plants used for treatment of candidiasis in Pader district, Northern Uganda

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Ms. Betty Akwongo presents her work on “Evaluation of antifungal activity of khaya anthotheca used for the treatment of candidiasis in Pader District, Northern Uganda” at the Annual Forum for Graduate Research and Policy Dialogue on 26th April 2024, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Betty Akwongo, Esezah K. Kakudidi, Anthony M. Nsubuga, Morgan Andama, Mary Namaganda, Patience Tugume, Savina Asiimwe, Godwin Anywar & Esther Katuura 

Abstract

Background

The emergence of multidrug resistant Candida species to available drugs has led to renewed interest in the use of herbal medicines globally. This study scientifically verified antifungal effectiveness of five commonly used plant species in Pader district, against selected pathogenic candida strains.

Methods

Powdered roots of Momordica foetida, Sansevieria dawei and Distimake dissectus; and stem barks of Khaya anthotheca and Mitragyna rubrostipulata were extracted sequentially using petroleum ether and methanol, respectively; and total water extraction at 24.4 °C (maceration), 60 °C (decoction) and boiling water at 87 °C (hot water infusion). Extracts and their combinations, positive controls (amphotericin B, and fluconazole) and negative control (80% dimethyl sulfoxide, verified to be tolerable concentration to the tested Candida species) were screened and verified for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC: American Type Culture Collection reference strain 10231, ATCC 90028, 0770a and 0796), C. glabrata (VVc 004, ATCC 2950) and C. tropicalis (ATCC 750 and 0210) using agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution, respectively.

Results

Aqueous extract (24.4 °C) of M. rubrostipulata (ZOI: 18.00 ± 1.00 to 38.33 ± 0.17; MIC: 3.13 ± 0.00 to 20.83 ± 4.17; MFC: 12.50 ± 0.00 to 200.00 ± 0.00), methanol extract of K. anthotheca (10.11 ± 0.31 to 15.11 ± 0.65; 1.04 ± 0.26 to 12.50 ± 0.00; 12.50 ± 0.00 to 100.00 ± 0.00), and combination of aqueous extract (60 °C) of D. dissectus + methanol extract of K. anthotheca (7.89 ± 0.26 to 19.67 ± 0.37; 0.78 ± 0.00 to 50.00 ± 0.00; 12.50 ± 0.00 to 200.00 ± 0.00) exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activities and were fungistatic against all tested Candida species, which comprised 8 clinical/control and susceptible/resistant strains. None of the conventional drugs used demonstrated broad spectrum antifungal activity across all tested Candida species/strains.

Conclusion

Methanol extract of K. anthotheca, aqueous extract (24.4 °C) of M. rubrostipulata, and combination of aqueous extract (60 °C) of D. dissectus + methanol extract of K. anthotheca could be effective in the treatment of candidiasis. They demonstrated potential broad spectrum antifungal activity against different species and strains of tested Candida than the fluconazole and amphotericin B drugs. Their fungistatic nature showed their ability to inhibit fungal growth. Hence, these extracts/extract combination can offer better treatment option for candidiasis if they are standardized and also their active curative compounds isolated and made into antifungal drugs.

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Mak Editor

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