Government Chief Whip Hon. Hamson Obua (in a yellow tie) flanked by Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (on his left) and Prof. Edward Bbaale (on his right) join Members of Management and leadership the PhD Fellows after the opening ceremony of the Annual Doctoral Convention 2023 held at the Yusuf Lule Auditorium on 28th February 2023.
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.
“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 UniversityResearch 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.
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.
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.
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), through the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE) for Preparedness and Response to Pandemics and Shocks, has shared findings from its study of Uganda’s Mpox response with stakeholders in Kasese, Amuru, Nakasongola and Mayuge districts to strengthen district preparedness for future outbreaks.
The Africa-Europe CoRE is a partnership co-led by MakSPH and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters at UCLouvain, Belgium. It brings together universities in Africa and Europe to strengthen research, training and preparedness for pandemics and other public health shocks.
The district-level dissemination meetings, held from 10 to 14 August 2026, brought together more than 100 local government, health and security officials, Village Health Teams, implementing partners and community representatives. The meetings enabled stakeholders to validate the district-level findings, identify practical actions and provide feedback for the study’s final analysis and national dissemination.
Mr. Philliam Jabim shares the Mpox response study findings with participants during the dissemination meeting in Nakasongola District on 12 August 2026.
Uganda confirmed its first two Mpox cases on 24 July 2024 at Bwera Hospital in Kasese District. The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak on 2 August 2024. As documented in the study, the response involved health workers, communities, local governments, security agencies, political leaders, and implementing partners.
In response to the outbreak, a MakSPH research team led by Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, Dr. Steven Kabwama and Mr. Douglas Bulafu conducted a study in May 2025 to assess Uganda’s Mpox response, including its policies, interventions, strategies and challenges, and generate lessons to inform recovery and strengthen preparedness for future public health emergencies.
Using purposive sampling, the research team conducted 20 key informant interviews and five focus group discussions in each of the four districts, drawing perspectives from western Uganda in Kasese, northern Uganda in Amuru, central Uganda in Nakasongola and eastern Uganda in Mayuge.
Participants and the MakSPH research team at the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Nakasongola District on 12 August 2026.
The study, titled Assessment of the Mpox Response in Uganda: Documenting Challenges, Lessons and Innovations to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities, was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere UniversityResearch and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF).
“This study is helping us move beyond recounting the Mpox response to identifying the actions that districts and national partners can take before the next outbreak. By validating the findings with stakeholders who led and experienced the response, we are ensuring that the evidence reflects local realities and can inform stronger surveillance, risk communication, coordination and community engagement,” said Mr. Bulafu, who led the MakSPH team during the dissemination meeting in Amuru.
Mr. Douglas Bulafu engages participants during the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Amuru District on 10 August 2026.
In Amuru, the 10 August meeting brought together over 25 stakeholders from the district health team, political leadership, security agencies, Village Health Teams, implementing partners and the community. On the same day, a second MakSPH team, led by Mr. Keneth Sebukeera and Mr. Filimin Niyongabo, convened stakeholders in Kasese for a parallel validation meeting. The consultations then continued in Nakasongola on 12 August and concluded in Mayuge on 14 August, extending the study’s engagement across all four districts.
Across the districts, stakeholders said the results reflected their experience during the outbreak. They pointed to strengths in leadership, coordination, community engagement and partner support, while also describing gaps in documentation, logistics, diagnostic access, staffing, risk communication, public trust and continuity of essential health services.
They also noted inconsistent implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) 7-1-7 target, which calls for detecting a suspected outbreak within seven days, notifying public health authorities within one day and completing early response actions within seven days.
The MakSPH research team, led by Mr. Keneth Sebukeera and Mr. Filimin Niyongabo, with participants during the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Kasese District on 10 August 2026.
In Kasese, stakeholders highlighted gaps in documentation, financial and logistical resources, and human resources. They identified Village Health Teams and grassroots, religious and cultural leaders as important resources for community surveillance and risk communication. They called for stronger collaboration between technical and non-technical leaders, engagement with traditional healers, greater use of local radio for public sensitisation, and better facilitation of district epidemic response teams to reach distant communities.
Amuru participants called for proactive preparedness in the border district, citing misinformation and rumours as barriers to risk communication. They urged timely, accurate information from health workers and other authorities; training in disease surveillance and grant writing to strengthen capacity and resource mobilisation; and compassionate care, psychosocial support and community awareness to reduce stigma and support survivor reintegration.
During the meeting in Nakasongola, stakeholders identified Community Health Workers and Community Health Extension Workers as potential resources for strengthening community surveillance and addressing workforce shortages. Given the district’s position around Lake Kyoga and along the Kampala-South Sudan transit corridor, they also called for stronger documentation, note-taking and reporting, accurate real-time information, closer communication with the Ministry of Health, and collaboration among technical, political, religious and community leaders.
Ms. Eunice Vivian Asingo, Senior Nursing Officer at Nakasongola Health Centre IV, contributes to the discussion during the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Nakasongola District on 12 August 2026.
Ms. Eunice Vivian Asingo, Senior Nursing Officer at Nakasongola Health Centre IV, called for a permanent, adequately resourced outbreak-management centre to help protect routine services during future epidemics. “We appeal for better facilities to manage epidemics and outbreaks. At Nakasongola Health Centre IV, spaces previously used for outbreak management have been repurposed for other services, and we have limited staff. During the Mpox response, colleagues assigned to manage patients later returned to the general team, creating fear among staff already under pressure,” she said.
In Mayuge, Dr. Basembeza highlighted leadership, coordination and surveillance structures operating from district to community level as important factors in the response. He said the structures enabled the district to receive and respond quickly to community alerts. “Whenever there is a rumour or an alert, we are able to respond. Within 20 minutes, we had a response because of the structure we have,” Dr. Basembeza said.
Based on the findings, the research team recommends increased preparedness financing, stronger community engagement, decentralised diagnostic services through stronger district laboratory capacity, and improved health information and research systems.
Across the four districts, stakeholders reaffirmed that trusted community structures and coordinated action across sectors are essential to strengthening outbreak preparedness.
It is a pleasure to present the January – June 2026 edition of the MakGrad Newsletter by Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training. At the Directorate of Graduate Training we are committed to building an enabling environment where our students can flourish and their academic journey is well-supported. Formerly one of the two main divisions that constituted the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, the stand alone Directorate of Graduate Training is mandated to coordinate and administer all matters related to postgraduate studies.
At time when Makerere University is steadily transforming into a research led institution, we are on hand to review and initiate policies meant to provide a conducive environment for graduate training and innovative research. From redesigned PhD crosscutting courses, enhanced supervision structures, improved infrastructure, to stronger partnerships with global institutions — we are laying the foundation for increased success.
In this edition of our newsletter, we share with you highlights of some of the activities during the period January – June 2026. The 76th graduation ceremony in February 2026 recorded key important in roads in Makerere University’s efforts to respond to the country’s need for increased capacity in doctoral training. The 213 PhDs was a significant increase from the previous number of 144. It reflects an intentional progress towards increased completion rates. Beyond focusing on technical expertise, the Directorate coordinates efforts to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and interdisciplinary fluency of all our graduate students. Today’s challenges rarely fit neatly into one discipline; they demand collaboration across disciplinary fields. In this edition of the Newsletter, we share some of the training of trainers and learners’ trainings we have conducted to achieve this objective.
I thank all the staff of the Directorate and the university at large, the graduate students and all the stakeholder for the support and collaboration. You are part of a growing, supportive community committed to excellence and transformation that our country prides in.
The latest Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) Newsletter (Issue 22, January–June 2026), themed Research to Impact showcases how CARTA fellows, graduates, and partner institutions are moving evidence beyond publications into policy, practice, innovation, and everyday lives.
An article titled “Why Research Uptake Requires More Than Good Science” featuring Dr. Godwin Anywar, a Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Makerere University’s work precisely captures this transition. His research began by systematically documenting indigenous medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Uganda to support people living with HIV/AIDS. This work has grown into internationally recognized science that has informed understanding of traditional medicine, sparked global collaborations, and even reached communities through a traveling mobile museum.
Dr. Anywar’s personal reflection captures this succinctly: producing good research was only the beginning. Visibility, deliberate communication, sustained engagement, and opportunities to share the work were equally essential in transforming locally generated evidence into global influence.
Beyond his work, this edition of the Newsletter captures; research shaping better care for TB survivors in Malawi, smarter solutions for mosquito control emerging, efforts to transform graduate supervision institution by institution, and reflections on embedding stakeholder engagement as a core university function.
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