Humanities & Social Sciences
DGRT Benchmarks the CHUSS Cohort-based PhD Program
Officials from the Directorate of Graduate Research and Training (DGRT) on 7th March visited the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) to discuss strategies of enhancing the university’s capacity to increase the number and quality of PhD graduates.
CHUSS has been credited for presenting the highest number of PhD graduands in the last three consecutive graduation ceremonies with over 20 candidates representing 10% of the total university output.
The visit was a result of the issues that emerged during the recent Doctoral convention that was held at Hotel Africana where the Directorate was asked to come up with more concrete ways of engaging with colleges as the university strives to become research–led.
The team led by the new Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Prof. Edward Bbaale wanted to understand CHUSS strategies for increasing graduate enrollment and how the college plans to uphold and sustain its upper hand in doctoral training.
Statistics show that the CHUSS great PhD harvest comes from sponsored candidates which according to DGRT is a risk. The Directorate wants a sustainability plan and a strategy of locally funded students so that if donors withdraw, the college does not collapse.
The team also wanted to learn and pick a leaf from CHUSS that will be a spring board when visiting other colleges for emulation as best practices.
The other reason for the visit was to hear the bottlenecks to graduate training and research which are solvable through existing policy and policy proposals which have many stages with different gates at the Board of Senate and Quality Assurance among others.
The meeting was attended by the college leadership including Principals, Deans, Heads of Departments, program coordinators at school and departmental levels, administrative and other staff who discussed how they would lead a better and more efficient management and delivery of graduate research and training in the college.
The discussions focused on strategies to increasing on graduate enrollment, sustainability plan for managing graduate education and research at a predominantly Graduate school with experiences from the CHUSS Cohort –based PhD.
Presenting the accreditation, enrolment, graduation and admission status of CHUSS programmes ,the Deputy Director, Graduate Research and Training Dr. Julius Kikooma said the Directorate is focusing on tracking and engaging with colleges on graduate programs.
“In terms of graduate output, CHUSS has two outstanding strength in terms of PhD and Post Graduate Diplomas. We are not bad in terms of numbers but If you can deliver the highest number of PhDs, you can deliver the highest number of master because you are more diverse and have the potential” , Dr. Kikooma implored schools to come up with strategies to increase output from struggling programmes.
The Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Prof. Edward Bbaale stressed that Makerere is committed to transforming into a research led university and as a Directorate they are committed to that agenda.
Prof. Bbaale reported that during the Doctoral convention at Hotel African, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged colleges to commit on centering graduate training and research in reshaping the graduate education landscape at Makerere University.
The research led agenda according to the Director, has put the DGRT on the steering wheel, exposed them, saying they are bare and, must deliver to shine.
“What management is interested in, is that you need to be more innovative as units and individual faculty. Makerere is great because many units have doctoral faculty with capacity to supervise PhDs who have moved through different levels and are bound to contribute to the strategic agenda”, Prof. Bbale stressed adding that staff can work with other units and jointly develop programmes.
Prof. Bbaale explained that besides administering matters to do with graduate training, the DGRT is charged with responsibility of ensuring a conducive policy environment for training and research and initiating policy reviews and recommendations through relevant organs for change.
“We are here to hear from you because CHUSS is one of the colleges to pick lessons as far as doctoral training is concerned. Congratulations for the largest PhD harvests over the last three years.. it brings on table how to sustainably remain there and increase.
We are also here to understand the roadblocks to a great graduate training and research and those that can be identified and solved through policy changes and also to hear best practices for recommendations”. Prof.Bbaale explained
He said the DGRT is guided by the Board of Research and Graduate Training which plays an oversight function, monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance to standards with Senate as another gauge. As DGRT, Bbaale said, they provide a coordination role and are dependent on colleges that run day to day programmes.
DGRT planned activities for the year
Prof. Bbaale reported that the Directorate is already engaged in policy reforms and wants to invest time and engage colleges in policy orientations. He added that THE Directorate wants to have a post-doctoral policy as a good potential for graduate programs and a turning point for publications. The proposals is that the university earmarks funds to sponsor candidates outside so that research outputs are owned by Makerere.
In addition, the Director reported that the Directorate wants to be deliberate and intentional on streamlining graduate admission where it has no end, but to be structured and run on cohort – based PhD. The idea is to admit in cohort and follow students’ milestones.
The Director also said, the Directorate was rethinking of the taught PhD but moving hand in hand with PhD by research, to have a structure and curriculum of what the candidate must do at the end of PhD.
Further, Prof.Bbaale said they are working on upgrading the Graduate Handbook and other policies.
Strategies for increasing Graduate enrolment at CHUSS
Representing the Principal CHUSS, the Deputy Principal Assoc. Prof. Eric Awich Ochen said the college established the project coordinating office and a graduate coordinator, an initiative that can be replicated to support the deputy principal, and, a contact point for graduate training in organizing seminars, answering students concerns, mentorship and supporting supervisors.
“This has helped control the drop outs and improve completion rates. Over the last six years, examinations of PhDs has improved and external examiners paid on time. 98% of examiners are happy, well-facilitated and the turn up of reports good at times within two weeks”. Dr. Awich said.
Dr. Awich said the CHUSS has strengthened and established a number of collaborations and attracted capacity building grants for research, graduate and Post Graduate training including Andrew Mellon and Gerda Henkel Foundations among others.
“We seek more opportunities for more cohort and PhD training as the best strategy to help students complete on time. As DGRT, there is need to help the university in identifying more partners”, Dr. Awich submitted.
At the national level, Dr. Awich said, the college works with the UPDF, Uganda Police and Prisons and has signed MoUs with the UPDF Senior Staff command plus over 25 other MoUs with local and international partners which presents an opportunity for Makerere to put its footprint.
To enhance the quality of scientific multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research and scholarly writing and publications, Dr. Awich reported that the college established the Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
Dr. Awich added that the college graduate training and research has been strengthen by the nine centres and two research institutes that have been at the core of developing new and responsive PhD programmes and furthering partnerships and community outreach.
To increase the number of graduate fellows Dr. Awich proposed the need for the university to come up with a mechanism for fees waivers as a scholarship at departmental levels among others.
Experiences from the Cohort – based PhD Program
Speaking on behalf of the coordinators for the Andrew Mellon and Gerda Henkel funded PhD program, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa explained that since 2015 the college has been receiving 10 students every year from all over Africa with funding from Andrew Mellon and Gerda Henkel foundations.
Gerda Henkel Foundation, is a humanitarian foundation based in Germany which, on the African continent has funded research and graduate students through Lisa Maskell fund since 2009 -2010 when they partnered with the University of Stellenbosch under a premiership program which was called Partnership for Africa’s Next Generation of Academics (PANGeA).
PANGeA is a collaborative network of leading African universities developing research capacity and confidence in bringing African expertise to Africa’s challenges. The universities involved in the PANGeA network are the University of Botswana, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the University of Ghana, Makerere University, the University of Malawi, the University of Nairobi in Kenya, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon.
In a bid to diversify, in 2015 PANGeA got into contact with Prof Edward Kirumira who was the then chairperson PANGeA and Makerere University was added in November 2016.
Dr. Khanakwa said the 1st cohort (2017) have all graduated with a PhD in humanities of Makerere University except one candidate who dropped out due to illness. In 2018, CHUSS admitted the 2nd cohort (10 students) and are in various stages of completion but was greatly affected by the pandemic. In 2019 the college had the 3rd cohort of 10 students, in 2020 another cohort of 8 students and the 2021 cohort that had 10 students.
Dr. Khanakwa explained that admissions are intense and done once under compulsory signed agreements and an almanac strictly followed.
“The college organizes cross cutting courses, writing workshops, progress reporting, mentorship and retooling workshops.
We also introduced pre-application workshops for competitive grants to help students know what funding agencies look for and the post doc grants.”
In addition, the college organizes dissemination workshops through different fora for students to reflect on what they are doing, invite scholars who comment on their work.
The college also supports students by providing them funds for space in Mawazo and other journals.
“The college also organizes supervisors retooling workshops on practices which have worked. This brings on heads of departments, deans and members from university units to remind members on their roles and graduate policies and practices”, Dr. Khanakwa stated.
Dr. Khanakwa also said the college endeavors to find avenues for supporting graduate students who are not on scholarship by putting slots to sponsor say 3PhDs and a masters on a different program with emphasis on creating a conducive environment for students.
The cohort system according to Dr. Khanakwa keeps the coordinators on love to look for partners and funding opportunities for students to sustain them and complete the program on time.
The Andrew Mellon and the Gerda Henkel support has made a community of scholars in the college and made CHUSS a vibrant intellectual community.By the end of this project, CHUSS would have educated about 60 PhD students.
The funding has also benefited the college in terms of infrastructure, contributed to the intellectual life and convened so far seven symposiums, the CHUSS Conversations and a number of seminars.
Discussions and proposals from the college
Members deliberated on the enablers and bottlenecks to research and graduate training, enhancing graduate supervision, selection of graduate students and challenges to graduate supervision
To increase the number and improve the quality of graduate training members proposed that the University makes a deliberate move to create space for graduate training, incentivize internal examination as extra load and allow CHUSS students from 2015 to be registered to complete.
It was proposed the university registers value in affiliations and treat them as opportunities, lobby government to support graduate training as this contributes to her vision and the National Development plans and address the staffing gaps.
Management was implored to think about prorata, staff welfare and salary enhancement across the divide, expedite staff promotion process, review the Human Resource manual attaching attraction of funding to promotion and post-retirement contracts and put in place systems that bring in funds.
Members expressed the need for special training facilities for specific programs e.g. psychology clinic, musical theater , studios etc, having a deliberate policy to reduce the workload at the lower level of undergraduates, and, institute a budget for curriculum development and reviews to reduce reliance on donors.
In addition to revisiting PhD supervision equivalence to one supervision as a promotion requirement, members suggested that the two year contract should be revisited to allow more years to enable staff attract funding and to avoid losing faculty to other universities.
Members observed that there was need to initiate a policy for academic gain of being a head of department, dean etc, and the need to reduce the bureaucracy for curriculum development and reviews and that the DGRT should engage with Senate, NCHE and facilitate the process.
Conclusions and issues to be taken forward
The Deputy Director Assoc. Prof. Julius Kikooma appreciated members for raising pertinent issues and proposals adding that some of them are directed to management and the Chair Board of Research and Graduate Training while some were for the Directorate to pick.
Dr. Kikooma asserted that the Directorate considers the working conditions of staff and that is why they were on ground to pick the language and best practices for emulation.
He clarified that the Vice Chancellor is passionate about attracting funding for graduate training and has pledged to work with partners and engage government in a conversation.
“The Vice Chancellor was also committed to engage different partners to have a building for graduate school – a space that is characteristically for graduate students.
As a public institution governed by public service, increasing the staffing levels will depend on instructions from the relevant government organs”. Dr. Kikooma said
Kikooma added that the policy on PhD fellows is there and every department should have graduate fellows to redistribute the load, and its practicality and implementation can be dealt with
The Director DGRT Prof. Edward Bbaale said a lot had been noted for synthesis and the Directorate will come up with write-ups and engage where possible.
Prof. Bbaale explained that Government took over the wage bill of Makerere and all funds go to government and therefore not practical to have a percentage of PhD funds ploughed back to colleges.
“The college should budget for internal examination just like they did for external examination because motivation is critical and, incentive structures need to be correct.
The issue of undergraduates is no longer getting incentive to maintain. The idea is to gradually reduce undergraduate enrolment and increase graduate enrolment and therefore, there is no reason to hold the same number of undergraduates”, The Director explained.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Symposium on Pan-Africanism and Reparatory Justice Ignites Debate on African Unity and Decolonisation of Systems
By Charles Iga and Ritah Namisango
On 21st May 2026, candid discussions and reflections on the dignity and survival of the African people took centre stage as Pan-Africanists, youths, global diaspora leaders, esteemed royals, and scholars, convened at Makerere University, for the Inter-University Symposium on Pan-Africanism and Reparatory Justice.
Held ahead of the Africa Day Celebrations on 25th May 2026, the Symposium with over 23 participating Universities re-awakened the spirit of Pan-Africanism, African Unity, and the need to defend the dignity and the future of the African People.
The different speakers, panelists and participants rallied African nations to demand for reparation from those who dehumised the African people through slaverly, torture, conolialism, and any form of injustice.
“Pan-Africanism is about survival, dignity and power. It’s the understanding that Africa’s problems cannot be solved in isolation. It has a huge diaspora. It has to be holistic. Division is our greatest weakness. Unity is our strongest weapon,” said Chief Eric Phillips, the Keynote Speaker at the Inter-University African Symposium hosted by Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, in partnership with the Pan Afican Fraternity in Uganda, CARICOM, and AIDO International Network.
This is global citizenry in action
Opening the symposium on behalf of Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Alinaitwe described the gathering as a historic convergence of global African identity.
“As we gather in the Makerere University MainHall, we are deeply honoured to host distinguished delegates from across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the wider global African diaspora,” Prof. Alinaitwe said.
He added, it is a meeting of minds, cultures, generations, and visions committed to shaping Africa’s collective future, emphasizing that African liberation must extend beyond political independence into economic and intellectual sovereignty.
“This symposium is happening at a critical moment in global history when Africa and people of African descent are redefining their place in a multipolar world,” he said.
Makerere re-affirms role as Pan-African Intellectual Hub
Re-affirming Makerere University as a critical centre for intellectual liberation and African-centred knowledge production, Prof. Alinaitwe noted that the struggle for African liberation continues through economic sovereignty, reparatory justice, cultural dignity, and decolonisation of knowledge systems.
He tipped the students that the future of Pan-Africanism will be shaped by their ideas, courage, and innovation.
Humanities hold the key to transformation
Citing the theme of the Symposium, Pan-African Intellectualism: The Urgency to Defend the Dignity and Future of the African People, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, stressed the central role of African scholarship in social transformation.
“Our presence here reflects the urgency of defending the dignity and future of African people through knowledge,” Prof. Nkabala said.
She added, “Humanities and Social Sciences are vital for social transformation because without those disciplines, there can never be societal change. The humanities and social sciences hold the key to understanding society and reshaping it.”
The issue of reparations is central
The Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, reiterated the African voices on the need for reparation. “In December 2025, I represented Makerere University at the African Diaspora Summit in Accra, Ghana. The President of the Republic of Ghana, and the President of the Republic of Togo, spoke very strongly about the issue of reparation justice,” he said.
“When we talk about reparation. Africa suffered from slavery and a lot of injustices during that period. Those responsible for that kind of injustice to us, may need to find away of making some compensation to Africa,” said Prof. Awich Ochen.
Inter-University Symposium kicks off the Africa Week celebrations
In a very special way, Dr Sarah Hasaba, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the Pan-African Liberation Week (21st to 25th May 2026) welcomed the participants who had travelled from the different parts of the world and within Uganda, to be part of the 5th Inter-University Symposium.
“As we celebrate the 63rd Africa Liberation day, we are honoured to start with the Inter-University symposium at Makerere University. As we engage in dialogue today, let us exchange ideas and build strategic partnerships. May this symposium be an opportunity for practical solutions, strong collaboration, and renewed commitment to the Pan-African vision of unity and transformation,” remarked Dr. Hasaba.
The Youth are an integral pillar of the Pan-African agenda
Her Highness Dr Queen Grace Eganda, was delighted to return to Makerere University, where her academic and leadership potential was nurtured in the 1990s. During that time, she was privileged to have served as the Chairlady of Mary Stuart Hall, and happy to return to Makerere University, in the capacity of a global leader, and General Secretary of AIDO Network International.
Emphasizing the importance of the symposium, she said: “This is a significant moment because we are looking at a bridge between the past and the present. As we reflect on the journey of Pan-Africanism, we are looking at our historical realities, present situations, and exploring how do we move forward progressively. We are working with the youth and the academia to promote the Pan-Africanism agenda.”
Underscoring the role of the youth, the Queen articulated: “ Any space where there’s no youth, any organization or planning where there is no youth is a dying moment. We are therefore encouraged to see many brilliant young people participating in the Symposium, we are passing the baton, the future is bright, and where we end, we know that the fire will keep burning.”
Building partnerships and promoting collaboration
With nostalgia, the President of AIDO Network International, and Chairman of the Global Africa Diaspora Kingdom, His Highness Papa, Dr Paul Jones Eganda, was pleased to return to Makerere University.
“In the 1990s, I was at this great University. I stayed in Lumumba Hall. Today, I come back, not as a student, but as a King and global leader with over 2.5 million followers globally,” he said amidst applause from the audience.
He informed the audience that the delegation consisted of 70 royals and key personalities who travelled to Uganda to participate in the activities of the Africa Liberation Week. “Some of them have remained at Speke Resort Munyonyo because the Head of State, H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is launching the Uganda Tourism Expo. Some of us have made it to Makerere University, to participate in the Inter-University symposium,” he remarked.
His Highness Papa Dr Eganda said the AIDO Network International and the Inter-University Symposium, present to the African people, a platform to strengthen partnerships and collaboration, undertake joint research, and advocate for scholarships.
“We are here to listen and learn from each other, and build partnerships. We would like to promote inter-university collaborations, research opportunities, and scholarships,” he stated.
In a very special way, he recognized Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye and Lieutenant Gen. Amanda Magambo, for their commitment to the Pan-Africanism agenda.
Keynote Speech on Pan-Africanism and Reparation
A sense of quiet reflection and re-awakening was evident as the Keynote Speaker, Chief Eric Phillips, passionately shared his views about Pan-Africanism and reparation.
Highlighting the roots of Pan-Africanism, he said: “Before borders were drawn, before Africa was divided in Berlin, before the world told us who we were, Africans were already connected by culture, by trade, by identity and by civilization. But then came slavery, colonization, and the forced scattering of millions of Africans across the world.”
The keynote speaker articulated that from that pain, Pan-Africanism was born-starting in the hearts of enslaved Africans who refused to forget who they were.
“Today, the chains may look different, economic dependency, mental colonization. But the mission of Pan-Africanism remains the same. A united Africa is not a dream. It’s a necessity,” he emphasized.
Geopolitics of Reparatory Justice
The Keynote Speaker informed the participants that the geopolitics of reparatory justice is not often spoken about, yet it impacts people of Africans daily.
“European nations do not want to pay financial reparations. Financial reparations have been paid to the Jewish nation, the Japanese, and to many other people across the world. But when it comes to reparations for people of African descent, there seems to be a resistance, a denial, as if they still consider us as not being human,” he wondered.
Panel on Pan-Africanism and Intellectualism
Moderated by Callistus Mubangizi, the panel consisted of the following discussants: Dr. George Okiror-Makerere University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the Keynote Speaker-Chief Eric Phillips, Prof.Eria Hisali-Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, Associate Professor Robert Ojiambo- Department of History, Archaeology, and Heritage at Kyambogo University, and Dr. Shadat Semakula from Canada.
The discourse indicated that Intellectualism still continues to be the basis upon which Pan-Africanism lives. The panel tackled the relevance of Pan-African intellectualism as the framework for addressing structural inequalities and neocolonialism, as well as, the need for a unified African-led development.
Reparatory Justice is about Dignity, Not Only Money
Throughout the symposium, scholars and activists repeatedly emphasised that reparatory justice must go beyond financial compensation. “Reparations is not just about money. It is about restoring dignity, identity, truth, education, land, psychology, and institutions.”
It was crystal clear that reparatory justice must begin with us. “We cannot ask for reparations while abandoning our languages, our knowledge systems, and our identity. Reparatory justice must begin internally.”
We Lost Kingdoms, Artifacts, and Memory
Dr Davidson Amooti, representing Bunyoro cultural and administrative structures, gave a deeply historical account of colonial-era losses. “On behalf of Bunyoro Kingdom, we lost 2.5 million human beings during colonial wars,” he said.
Additionally, “We also lost more than 3,000 artifacts. The British government could not allow me to access museums and libraries. I had to go to court to obtain permission.”
Dr Amooti called for structured documentation and legal action. “We must mobilise every citizen in our cultural institutions for development. We cannot keep begging. We must research, document, and sign agreements.”
Education is not neutral
Dr Zaid Sekito, Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology & Heritage Studies at Makerere University, reframed reparatory justice as an educational and intellectual process.
“Reparatory justice is a pedagogical practice. We must understand what was destroyed, how it was destroyed, and how to rebuild it,” he said.
He highlighted that education systems continue to shape consciousness. “The classroom is not neutral. Even today’s curriculum is not neutral.”
Dr Sekito urged students to take leadership in transformation. “You have the power to influence institutional change. Youth movements have always been at the centre of African transformation.”
We must transform education and mindset
Speakers consistently called for curriculum reform and African-centred education. Some of the proposed reforms included: Introducing African-centred history from primary school; funding African research; supporting African languages; and building exchange programs with the diaspora.
A critical analysis indicated that colonial education was designed to produce obedience, not freedom. “Africans must now design education for liberation.”
Reparations requires Organisation, Not Rhetoric
Tackling this pertinent issue, the panelists and participants agreed as follows:
- Pan-Africanism must move beyond conferences into action. Any plan is dependent upon discipline and execution.
- Reparations will not be achieved by governments alone. It requires organised people, informed people, and committed youth.
- CARICOM’s reparations agenda did not happen by chance. It happened because people organised, studied, and persisted.
You are the Next Movement
Dr Hilary Brown urged young Africans to take ownership of the Pan-African struggle. “To the young brother who asked, ‘What next?’ — you are the next,” she said. “The movement needs scholars, lawyers, journalists, musicians, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs. Everybody has a role.”
Therefore, “I request you to form reading circles, join Pan-African organisations, document your histories, engage leaders, and build networks across borders.”
Unity between Africa and its diaspora
The convening emphasised unity between Africa and its diaspora. “Africa and her diaspora are one people—different histories, but one destiny. Pan-Africanism is not an event. It is a lifelong commitment.”
The symposium that included cultural performances, and a session on promoting a “drug free world” concluded with renewed calls for youth engagement, research collaboration, and institutional reform across Africa and the diaspora. The symposium also marked the official launch of Pan-African Week activities leading to Africa Day 2026, reinforcing calls for research-driven advocacy, continental unity, and structured reparatory justice frameworks.
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