Natural Sciences
NutriFish Project Registers Significant Achievements
The project has made great strides in reducing malnutrition amongst vulnerable communities in Uganda by improving the acceptability and consumption of small pelagic fishes (SPFs). SPFs are rich in bioavailable micronutrients including iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A and essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6).
Overview
Malnutrition remains a serious challenge to human health and economic development in Uganda. Due to limited access to micronutrient-rich foods and animal protein, especially fish, 32% of women between 15-49 years are anemic whereas 30% are zinc deficient. 53% of children below five years of age are anemic and 70 % zinc deficient.
The nutritive value of the Small Pelagic Fishes (SPFs) cannot be underlooked in efforts to address the challenge. The SPFs are rich in bioavailable micronutrients including iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A and essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6). Besides, they are consumed whole, which enhances their nutritional benefits compared to the large fishes. Most consumers, including vulnerable groups in rural and peri-urban communities can purchase SPFs in small quantities at relatively affordable prices. The SPFs are therefore crucial in improving human nutrition, particularly during the first 1000 days of life (from conception to the second birth day) as they contribute to maternal health and better child development. SPFs are however not being consumed in sufficient quantities due to high levels of adulteration with grit, soil and sand; off-flavors (smelly fish); bitter taste and lack knowledge of the different methods of preparation. Traditionally, the SPFs are regarded as fish for the poor and livestock. Currently per capita fish consumption in Uganda is between 10-12 Kilograms per person per year which is below the internationally recommended amount of 26 kilograms per person per year according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The NutriFish Project and achievements registered
Through a project titled NutriFish, researchers from Makerere University together with their partners from the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) – National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), NUTREAL Limited and McGill University, Canada in 2019 set out to increase the availability, accessibility and consumption of SPFs for sustainable food and nutrition security and better livelihoods of vulnerable groups in Uganda. Led by Dr Jackson Efitre from the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, and supported by the International Research Development Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) through their joint programme, Cultivate Africa’s Future Fund (CultiAF), the researchers developed five high-value nutritious products (baby food, sauce, maize meal, snacks, and seasoning) using Mukene. A 50g portion of the baby food flour provides more than one-third of a child’s daily protein, iron, zinc, and folic acid requirements. The researchers also developed a Mukene recipe book, containing 16 recipes rich in protein, calcium, zinc, and iron. The cookbook was endorsed by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa. Through the NutriFish Project, fishers have been helped to access loans to purchase boats and fish containers which improve hygiene and quality by improving drainage and reducing compaction of fish. Two enterprise fishing groups with over 70 boats have been established and are working together – an approach which ensures more consistent supply and standards, and results in over 3.7 tons of fish caught each month. The research team also developed an application (eCAS system) for tracking fish catches. By September 2022, 8,960 records of catch data had been collected and transmitted through the eCAS system by trained local enumerators. Over 200 stakeholders are using the application, including the Directorate of Fisheries Resources and the Fisheries Protection Unit, which uses the data to help prevent overfishing.
Other achievements registered under the project include the development of solar tent driers – greenhouse-like structures that reduce the risk of contamination – provide clean and efficient storage and drying, especially during the wet season subsequently reducing post-harvest losses. The increased fish quality has doubled fishers’ incomes, from US$1 to US$2/kg, and tripled the shelf-life of dried small fish to almost five months. The driers have also attracted the attention of policymakers, with the Sectoral Committee of Parliament on Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries specifically recommending their use in April 2022 for improving fish processing. To encourage consumption of Mukene products, NutriFish developed a radio-based awareness campaign. More than 12 million listeners were reached by 29 different ‘spot’ messages in local languages and four 15-minute in-studio conversations – a significant step in tackling long-standing social beliefs that Mukene is food only eaten by poor families or animals. The project conducted awareness training with 326 people (200 women) to reduce gender inequalities. As a result, domestic violence dropped by 30%, the number of women in the fish value chain increased, more couples began to make joint household decisions, and more men carried out household tasks, increasing from 15% to 20%. The project also trained eight Graduate students, who have gained valuable skills and knowledge thus boosting critical human resource needs in the fisheries sector.
NutriFish Product Launch and Dissemination Event
On 27th February 2023, the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University in collaboration with the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) and partners – International Development Research Centre (IDRC) held the NutriFish project product launch and dissemination event. The event was presided over by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa represented by the Ag. Director, Directorate of Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Mr. Tom Mukasa Bukenya. It was graced by Ms. Mercy Rurii, Programme Officer at the IDRC of Canada and a number of dignitaries from the agricultural and fisheries sector including the Director General of NARO represented by Ms. Winnie Nkalubo from NaFIRRI.
Remarks by the PI
Presenting an overview of the project and achievements registered, the NutriFish Principal Investigator, Dr Jackson Efitre emphasized the importance of SPFs in addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
He appealed for the inclusion of small fishes and fish products into the national nutrition/health interventions including school feeding programs and supplemental feeding in malnutrition units at health facilities. He expressed gratitude to the funders of the project noting that it had greatly transformed livelihoods of vulnerable communities in the country. “Sincere appreciation to our implementing partners NaFIRRI, McGill University and Nutreal Ltd., who worked closely with us to effectively implement the NutriFish project. We also thank the different Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, the donors, the private sector, and community members – who supported us throughout the project implementation.”
Testimonies by the beneficiaries
Sharing experiences, the beneficiaries appreciated the project team and funders noting that the interventions had improved the quality of their operations subsequently increasing their profits and transforming their livelihoods. “I was born at the lake and I have grown up there but I had never eaten Mukene for several reasons, but mainly due to poor preservation methods. Following the interventions by the NutriFish Project, my attitude towards Mukene changed and I now own a Mukene business which has greatly transformed my life. With the skills acquired from the trainings conducted by NutriFish, we are now able to produce and sell quality Mukene and our profits have increased. Out of the 14 members in my group, 5 of us bought boats and this has increased our income from UGX500,000 to UGX3,000,000 per month per individual,” Mercy Betty, Mukene trader at Ntoroko Fish Landing Site. According to Patrick Chakcon, a fish trader from Dei Landing Site in Pakwach, the solar tent drier has helped improve the quality of their products. “Initially, we relied mainly on open drying which is time wasting and not secure. With the introduction of the solar tent drier, many fish dealers now have time for other activities. We thank the project team and the funders for this intervention. We however appeal for more units because what we have at the moment can only dry 500kgs out of the 5000kgs harvested per day.”
Before the project, Ms. Tereza from Kikondo in Buikwe district was experiencing a lot of challenges and at some point got thoughts of suicide. She is so grateful for the intervention because she now works and can support her family.
Remarks by the Minister of State for Fisheries
In her address presented by the Ag. Director, Directorate of Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr. Tom Mukasa Bukenya, the Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa commended the project team for the initiative. She also appreciated the funders for supporting the project. Highlighting the value of fish in terms of exports which now stands at approximately USD177 million, the Minister said Government had prioritized fish in the agricultural sector strategic plan as a flagship commodity for investment and development in line with National Development Plan (NDPIII). “Through the Agricultural Sector Strategic Plan, promoting Small Pelagic Fishes is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to address issues of hunger, malnutrition and food security and improve livelihoods of the fishing communities. I’m happy that the project has come up with tangible solutions to deal with some of these challenges including unsustainable harvest and post-harvest losses.” The Ministry implored the project team share the findings widely through various regional bodies.
Remarks by the Vice Chancellor
In his speech delivered by the Deputy Principal of CoNAS, Prof. Juma Kasozi, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the NutriFish Project team upon achieving the set objectives. “On the 27th June 2019, I had the honour of officiating at the launch of the innovative Harnessing dietary nutrients of under-utilized fish and fish processing by-products to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable groups in Uganda – NutriFish Project. Today, I am happy to witness the launch of the project innovations and products. NutriFish brought together pillars of knowledge (research and academia) and the Private sector and addressed issues of maternal and child health, nutrition, and poverty reduction through a Public-Private-Partnership approach.” The Vice Chancellor noted that the project activities were in line with Makerere’s current Strategic Plan (2020 -2030) which aims at transforming the University into a research-led institution with a multi-faceted research agenda; and enhanced engagement with industry and the business sector. “As University management, we are happy that we provided conducive working conditions and facilities that enabled NutriFish and her partners to successfully implement project activities. On behalf of Makerere University Management, I extend our appreciation to the funders of the project and the implementing partners.”
Remarks by the IDRC representative
In her remarks, Ms. Mercy Rurii, Programme Officer at the International Development Research Centre of Canada commended NutriFish project as timely intervention that would largely address the challenge of malnutrition in the region. “Malnutrition has negative impact on the cognitive development of children and poses unnecessary burden on the healthcare system. Money that would be spent on other productive sectors goes into healthcare as a result of the many diseases arising from malnutrition, and this becomes a very crippling development challenge. The project team has come up with practical solutions to address this challenge. On behalf of IDRC, we commend the project team for these interventions.”
On behalf of the Principal, CoNAS, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Juma Kasozi expressed gratitude to the funders and project partners. He appreciated the project team for the timely initiative that emphasized community engagement in line with Makerere University Strategic Goal 4.
The event featured a panel discussion on National and regional initiatives for addressing fisheries management challenges, moderated by renowned TV talk-show host, Mr. Patrick Kamara. Panelists included Mr. Tom Bukenya, Ag. Director, Directorate of Fisheries Resources, MAAIF; Ms. Joyce Ikwaput Nyeko, Deputy Executive Secretary, Lake Edward and Albert Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization Entebbe; Ms. Nelly Badaru, Gender Expert and Independent Consultant; and Mr. Boaz Musementa from the Office of the Prime Minister. They called for development of quality assurance standards for Mukene products to penetrate the international market. They also called for inclusion of women in decision making processes, strengthening of regional cooperation to minimize trans-boundary conflicts and harmonization of the legal and policy frameworks.
The event also featured an exhibition of several products developed under the NutriFish project.
View proceedings of the event here:
Natural Sciences
Makerere University to Revamp Geology Curricula to Bridge Critical Skills Gap in Uganda’s Mineral Sector
*****The initiative is being implemented under the Sustainable Development of the Mineral Sector in Uganda (SDMU) programme, funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD).
Skills Shortage in Uganda’s Mining Sector
Despite Uganda possessing an estimated US$6.8 billion worth of undeveloped mineral resources, the country’s mining industry continues to grapple with a critical shortage of skilled professionals, forcing many companies to recruit foreign expertise while leaving locally trained graduates struggling to secure employment.
The mismatch between industry demands and existing geology training has emerged as one of the biggest obstacles to unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s mineral wealth. Employer surveys indicate that 78 percent of the mining companies face difficulties recruiting geologists trained locally, compelling many firms to rely on foreign professionals. At the same time, only 20 percent of geology graduates from Makerere University obtain sector-related employment within two years of graduation, pointing to significant gaps between university training and labour market needs.
Gaps in Training
The challenge extends beyond university graduates. Uganda’s mining industry is largely driven by artisanal and small-scale miners, who account for a significant proportion of the country’s gold production. However, many operators lack essential knowledge and practical skills in basic geology, mining and mineral processing, occupational health and safety, environmental management, and business development. Poor compliance with health, safety and environmental standards continues to affect productivity, sustainability and the overall growth of the sector.
The shortage of institutions offering specialized training in mineral prospecting, metallurgy, analytical chemistry and environmental studies has further constrained the development of a competent local workforce capable of supporting the country’s growing mining industry.
Curriculum Reform Initiative at Makerere University
It is against this backdrop that Makerere University, through its Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, has launched a comprehensive project to reform geology education and strengthen Uganda’s human resource capacity for the mineral sector.
The project, titled “Strengthening Uganda’s Mineral Sector through Labour-Market Aligned Curricula Reforms: A Comprehensive Review of BSc/MSc/PhD Geology Curricula and Development of Industry-Aligned Short Courses at Makerere University (Mak-SDMU),” seeks to modernize geology training by aligning academic programmes with labour market demands, emerging technologies, national development priorities and international best practices.
It is being implemented under the Sustainable Development of the Mineral Sector in Uganda (SDMU) programme, funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD).
Inception Workshop
The initiative officially commenced with a three-day inception workshop held from 29th June to 1st July 2026 at Nyumbani Hotel in Kampala, where the project team developed a comprehensive implementation work plan. Over the next eight months, Makerere University will also engage qualified Geoscience Consultants to provide technical guidance throughout the curriculum review and development process.
Addressing the project team, the Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta emphasized the need to align all curricula with the principles of competence-based training.
Focus on Labour-market Aligned Training
According to the Project Coordinator, Dr Denis Mutebi, the reform will involve a comprehensive assessment of the Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and PhD programmes in Geology. “Working closely with mining companies, regulatory institutions, and artisanal mining associations, we will map workforce competencies, identify emerging industry skill requirements, analyze existing skills gaps, and benchmark our curricula against international standards.”
Shift Toward Practical-based Learning
One of the major reforms proposed is the restructuring of the programmes to emphasize practical learning. The revised curricula will consist of 30 percent theory, 50 percent practical training, and 20 percent fieldwork, while the PhD programme will be transformed into a taught-research model to better prepare graduates for industry and advanced research.
Industry-focused Short Courses
Beyond degree programmes, the Department will develop a series of industry-responsive short courses aimed at upgrading the skills of professionals already working across Uganda’s mineral value chain. The courses are expected to benefit between 150 and 200 environmental officers, artisanal and small-scale miners, mineral processors and other practitioners.
The proposed short courses will cover Fundamentals of Mineral Processing, Mineral Ore Size Reduction and Classification, Ore Beneficiation Techniques, Mineral Value Addition Techniques, Mineral Policy, Governance and Economics, and Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Practices in Mining and Processing.
Laboratory Upgrades and Capacity Building
Funding under the project will also support the upgrading of geology laboratories at Makerere University to enhance practical training, research and innovation.
In addition to reviewing curricula against global standards and conducting industry surveys, the project will embed critical competencies that are currently underrepresented, including mineral development, value addition, environmental stewardship and health and safety management. The project team believes the reforms could provide a model for curriculum transformation in other resource-rich African countries.
Expected Impact
Ultimately, the initiative is expected to improve graduate employability, reduce the mining industry’s dependence on foreign professionals and strengthen the capacity of Uganda’s existing workforce. By producing highly skilled geoscientists and upgrading the competencies of current practitioners, the reforms are expected to contribute significantly to sustainable mineral-led industrialization and economic transformation.
Project Team
- Dr. Denis Mutebi – Project Coordinator
- Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta – Compliance Lead
- Dr Arthur Batte – Data Analyst, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Quality Assurance Lead
- Dr. Ivan Ssewanyaga Mukiibi – Mining Industry Liaison and Skills Mapping Lead
- Dr John Mary Kiberu – Accreditation, Programmes, and Logistics Lead
- Dr Joan Nakajigo – Communication and Reporting Lead
- Ms. Claire Birungi – Project Accountant
Natural Sciences
Makerere VC Calls for Increased Investment in Graduate Training & Research for Socio-economic Transformation
Africa’s Research Gap and Need for Investment in Graduate Training
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has called for increased investment in graduate training, research, and innovation, emphasizing that Africa’s socio-economic transformation depends on the continent’s ability to train and retain homegrown scientists and researchers capable of driving sustainable development.
Speaking during the University Senior Management engagement with staff at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) on 19th June 2026, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Africa’s limited contribution to global knowledge production, noting that the continent accounts for only about 3% of the world’s research publications.
He cited a 2020 World Bank recommendation that Africa needs to produce one million PhDs by 2030 if it is to accelerate transformation and compete effectively in the global knowledge economy.
“Africa cannot achieve sustainable development without significantly increasing its capacity for research, innovation, and graduate training,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
Lessons from South Korea’s Development Model
Drawing comparisons with countries that have successfully leveraged higher education to drive development, the Vice Chancellor pointed to South Korea’s remarkable transformation over the past six decades. He noted that in the 1960s, Uganda was economically ahead of South Korea and even extended financial support to the Asian nation. Today, however, South Korea has emerged as a global economic powerhouse largely because of sustained investments in higher education, research, and innovation.
According to Prof. Nawangwe, South Korea currently produces approximately 12,900 PhDs annually, while South Africa, one of Africa’s leading research nations, produces about 2,000 PhDs each year.
Makerere University’s Role in Closing the Research Gap
The Vice Chancellor challenged Makerere University, particularly the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), to play a greater role in addressing Africa’s research deficit. He described CoNAS as one of the best-resourced colleges at the university and urged it to expand postgraduate training and research output.
Despite acknowledging that much work remains to be done, Prof. Nawangwe said Makerere had made significant strides in building research capacity. He revealed that the university currently manages a research portfolio worth approximately USD 400 million, a figure he said exceeds the national budgets of several African countries, including Burundi, Eritrea, and Comoros.
He further noted that Makerere is implementing 35 United Kingdom-funded projects and more than 40 ongoing European Union-supported initiatives, underscoring the institution’s growing international research profile.
“Makerere is one of the most collaborative universities in the world, partnering with universities and agencies across the globe,” he said.
Call for Commercialization of Innovations
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Uganda’s future development will largely depend on the university’s ability to generate knowledge and innovative solutions. He called for the commercialization of research projects to ensure that innovations made at the institution contribute directly to national development.
“The socio-economic development of Uganda depends on what we do at Makerere. Our research must move beyond laboratories and classrooms to create industries, businesses, and solutions that improve people’s lives,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also stressed the need to equip staff and students with computers and digital tools at all levels of education, arguing that technology access is essential for producing the scientists and innovators required to drive industrialization.
As part of Makerere’s long-term strategy, Prof. Nawangwe advocated for the establishment and strengthening of specialized centres of excellence in key areas, including space sciences, sports development, mathematics, science and technology, plant sciences, and petroleum and gas studies.
He said these centres would not only advance research and innovation but also stimulate the growth of discipline-specific academic journals, enhancing Africa’s contribution to global scholarship.
To further expand the university’s impact, Prof. Nawangwe called for increased student enrolment, particularly in science-related disciplines. He revealed that the University Management is engaged in discussions with government aimed at securing additional funding for research.
The engagement provided an opportunity for Senior Management and staff to discuss graduate enrolment, research productivity, supervision, mentorship, infrastructure, and strategic interventions needed to enhance the quality, relevance, and impact of postgraduate education at Makerere University.
CoNAS Presentation: Research Output and Graduate Training
Briefing the Senior Management team about the status of research and graduate training at CoNAS, the Principal, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, highlighted the College’s strategic role in advancing scientific knowledge, nurturing talent, and generating solutions to national and global development challenges.
As one of the University’s leading research hubs, CoNAS hosts over 1,300 students and about 153 academic, technical, and administrative staff across eight departments under the Schools of Biosciences and Physical Sciences. The College contributes significantly to teaching and research across several colleges and academic units at Makerere University, with more than 150 publications annually and research activities in several scientific fields. “These efforts have contributed to policy development, technological innovation, environmental conservation, public health, energy planning, and agricultural sustainability,” Prof. Ireeta noted.
To further enhance graduate training and research excellence, Prof. Ireeta called for increased funding for graduate students and research, establishment of more specialized laboratories, operationalization of the Research Information Management System (RIMS) to track student progress, revitalization of the Graduate Fellowship Programme, and expanded scholarship opportunities for outstanding students.
He also appealed for stronger industry partnerships, increased recruitment of technical staff, greater support for the Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS) in Kibale, incentives for research publications, and a review of the Teaching Assistant position to retain talented graduates within the University system.
Prof. Ireeta emphasized that investing in graduate education and research will strengthen Makerere University’s contribution to Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Presenting the graduate statistics at CoNAS, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Juma Kasozi, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in graduate training as a key strategy for maintaining and increasing enrolment.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for various university units to present their services and interventions aimed at enhancing graduate training, research productivity, and academic excellence.
Strengthening Graduate Training Systems and Policy Reform
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Edward Bbaale, called on the College to deepen its collaboration with industry partners in order to better align academic programmes with real-world needs. He further emphasized the importance of expanding research centres to strengthen innovation and knowledge generation within the institution. In addition, he encouraged continued implementation of competence-based curricula, noting that such approaches are essential for equipping students with practical skills and adaptability required to meet the changing demands of the job market.
Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University, emphasized the need to strengthen institutional capacity to improve graduate training in both quality and numbers. He informed staff of the ongoing policy reforms aimed at improving graduate training. He called on academic staff to participate in a survey on doctoral supervision to inform future reforms. He also announced plans to introduce a PhD programme in Artificial Intelligence, intended to align graduate training with emerging technological trends and national development priorities. Additionally, he urged all academic staff to register on the Research Information Management System (RIMS), which is designed to improve research coordination, track academic outputs, and strengthen institutional oversight.
Support Systems for Research and Academic Writing
Prof. Fredrick Muyodi encouraged staff and students to leverage the services of the Makerere University Writing Centre. The Centre supports postgraduate students, early-career researchers, senior academics, and other categories of staff within the University to improve their writing skills. It particularly offers training programmes in manuscript writing, development of competitive grant proposals, responsible use of artificial intelligence in academic writing, and preparation of policy briefs, and minutes. The services are designed to improve research quality, publication output, and success in attracting research funding.
Speaking on grants management, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Head of the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the proper and timely close-out of research grants upon completion. She observed that while many projects successfully deliver on their grant-funded activities, the formal close-out stage is frequently overlooked, despite being a key requirement for accountability, compliance, and strengthening the integrity of research management systems.
Prof. Tamusuza stressed that effective grant closure is not merely procedural, but an essential part of the research lifecycle that safeguards institutional credibility and enhances prospects for future funding. She further highlighted GAMSU’s comprehensive support role across the entire grant continuum, including the identification of funding opportunities, interpretation of donor requirements, facilitation of competitive proposal development, guidance during submission, and oversight of the pre-award process through a dedicated grants management system designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and coordination.
She urged Project Principal Investigators to prioritize the timely submission of quarterly progress reports, noting that consistent reporting is central to strengthening accountability frameworks, improving project monitoring, and ensuring that research activities remain aligned with the approved objectives and deliverables.
From the Makerere University Press (MakPress), Dr. William Tayebwa commended CoNAS for its contribution to book publishing and urged staff to increase the number of book projects and scholarly journals originating from the College. He emphasized the importance of developing more home-grown journals to enhance the visibility of local research. Dr. Tayebwa further pledged support in securing International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN), obtaining Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), and guiding journals through indexing pathways to increase their global reach and credibility.
Publishing, Quality Assurance, and Innovation Commercialization
In his remarks, the Chief Quality Assurance Officer, Dr. Cyprian Misinde, highlighted Makerere University’s continued academic progress, noting that it is currently ranked 904th globally and placed among the top 4.3% of universities worldwide-a reflection of the institution’s growing global standing.
He commended CoNAS researchers for their strong output in high-impact journals and urged staff to consistently upload all publications into the university’s quality assurance system to ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of research achievements.
Dr. Misinde further emphasized the need to fully align academic programmes with the competence-based curriculum framework, with greater emphasis on practical skills development and industry engagement, to ensure graduates are well-prepared to meet evolving labour market demands.
The Acting Assistant Manager at the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC), Dr. Margaret Nagwovuma, encouraged researchers to utilize the centre to refine, develop, and commercialize their innovations. She noted that the centre serves as a vital platform for transforming research outputs into market-ready products and services, bridging the gap between academia and industry while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the university community.
Pictorial of the meeting: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NPUwpHONFFi-BbA3R1af1Ja6qnLDqKk2?usp=sharing
Natural Sciences
Makerere Department of Mathematics, Industry Partners Explore Strategies to Strengthen Collaboration in Addressing Societal Challenges
The Department of Mathematics at Makerere University recently hosted a three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the contribution of mathematics to sustainable development, with a particular focus on strengthening academia-industry collaboration and advancing regional integration.
Held at the Senate Building, the workshop brought together academics, researchers, and industry practitioners from Uganda and across the East African region to discuss how mathematics can be more effectively applied to address pressing societal challenges.
The workshop formed part of the activities of the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Mathematics (CoRE-MATH) initiative, implemented in collaboration with the NORHED II project, Mathematics for Sustainable Development (Math4SDG). The programme seeks to establish sustainable structures and platforms for Academia-Industry-Society collaboration in applications-oriented mathematics and data science through Mathematics in Industry Contact Workshops (MICW) and Mathematics in Industry Study Groups (MISG).
Addressing the Academia–Industry Gap
Despite significant growth in mathematical research across East Africa in recent years, its impact on industry and broader societal development remains limited. This gap is largely driven by weak knowledge transfer mechanisms and a lack of structured collaboration between academia and industry.
The workshop was designed as a “contact forum” to foster direct engagement between researchers and industry representatives, with the aim of identifying practical challenges that can be addressed through mathematical modelling, data science, and computational techniques.
Specific Objectives
- Foster academia-industry collaboration
- Promote applied and industrial mathematics in society
- Support research and innovation
- Strengthen regional and interdisciplinary networks
Coordination and Leadership
The CoRE-MATH (Africa–Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Mathematics) is co-led by Prof. John Mango Magero (Makerere University) and Prof. Bengt Ove Turesson (International Science Programme / Uppsala University, Sweden). They Coordinate the cluster’s activities across African and European partner universities.
The workshop was coordinated by Prof. John Mango Magero and Dr. Alex Behakanira, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mathematics and member of the academic network contributing to capacity building and collaborative research activities in the CoRE-MATH initiative.
Expert Insights on the Role of Mathematics in Real-World Challenges
A key highlight of the workshop was a series of technical presentations demonstrating the wide-ranging relevance of mathematical sciences in addressing real-world challenges across health, urban development, energy, finance, agriculture, and environmental systems. The presentations reinforced the workshop’s overarching goal of strengthening academia-industry collaboration through applied research and innovation.
European technical expert, Prof. Matti Heilio, set the tone with a keynote address on the global evolution of industrial mathematics. He outlined how structured partnerships between universities and industry have historically driven innovation and economic transformation in advanced economies, and emphasized the importance of building similar ecosystems to support Uganda’s research and innovation agenda.
In her presentation, Dr. Rebecca Nsubuga, Visiting Professor at Hasselt University, Belgium, shared insights on the growing role of mathematical methods in medical research and clinical decision-making. Similarly, Dr. Irumba Richard, former Director of Physical Planning at Kampala Capital City Authority, demonstrated how mathematical modelling can inform sustainable urban planning in rapidly growing cities such as Kampala. His presentation highlighted the importance of data-driven planning tools in managing urban expansion and infrastructure pressures.
Focusing on aquaculture, Dr. Kubiriza Kawooya Godfrey, Head of the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University explained how investment and production decisions are fundamentally grounded in mathematical reasoning. He emphasized the need for robust modelling of biological and economic variables to enhance productivity, efficiency, and decision-making in the sector.
Dr. Dennis Ndanguza from the University of Rwanda presented mathematical models supporting the extraction of methane from Lake Kivu, illustrating how applied mathematics can contribute to sustainable energy development and improved resource management.
From the financial sector, Mr. Grace Semakula of Stanbic Bank Group highlighted the growing importance of mathematical sciences in enhancing financial decision-making, risk assessment, and long-term investment planning. From the healthcare sector, Dr. Iddi Ndyabawe presented on retinopathy of prematurity in Uganda, showing how quantitative approaches can improve early diagnosis, guide clinical interventions, and ultimately enhance treatment outcomes for vulnerable neonatal populations.
Towards Sustainable Collaboration
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to sustained engagement between universities and industry, aimed at ensuring that mathematical research contributes more directly to economic development and societal needs.
Participants recommended the establishment of structured follow-up activities, including future Mathematics in Industry Study Groups, where selected industrial challenges will be further explored through joint academic–industry research teams.
About the CoRE-MATH Initiative
The CoRE-MATH (Cluster of Research Excellence in Mathematics) Initiative is an Africa-Europe collaborative research programme established in 2024 under the partnership of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
The initiative seeks to strengthen mathematics research, postgraduate education, and academic collaboration between African and European universities. Its core objectives include building research capacity in African institutions, enhancing the quality and volume of joint mathematical research, supporting doctoral training, and promoting the participation of women in mathematics. It also aims to apply mathematical knowledge to address social, economic, and developmental challenges across Africa.
The initiative brings together leading universities from both continents. African partner institutions include Makerere University, the University of Nairobi, the University of Rwanda, the University of Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa University, the University of Zambia, and Stellenbosch University. These institutions collaborate with European universities such as Uppsala University, the University of Amsterdam, and the University of Oslo.
Through joint research projects, academic exchanges, workshops, conferences, and collaborative PhD programmes, CoRE-MATH fosters knowledge sharing and strengthens international research networks. In Uganda, Makerere University plays a central role in advancing mathematical sciences and developing highly skilled researchers for the region.
Pictorial of the workshop: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1if6y8bYPOt8vW6Tm6k50Wspg0XFibl02?usp=sharing
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