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iCARTA Workshop Empowers 37 Makerere University Academics, Professionals & Administrators

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A total of 37 staff drawn from the various units at Makerere University have successfully completed the Training of Trainers (ToT) Academic, Professional and Administrative staff -APAS course, thanks to the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).

In line with CARTA’s mainstreaming initiatives, the weeklong workshop from July 17–21, 2023, aimed to improve institutional responsiveness to graduate training and research and equip trainees to efficiently lead APAS workshops for their units.

The Consortium initially applied for and was awarded a NORHED II grant for the institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Project Africa in order to institutionalize the gained experiences and best practices for sustainability.

APAS trainees, facilitators and Mak members of management in a group photo during the training. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
APAS trainees, facilitators and Mak members of management in a group photo during the training.

Dr. John Bosco Isunju, a Lecturer at MakSPH and CARTA Focal Person Makerere University remarked; “The APAS workshop is one of these innovations to enhance the capacity of institutional functionaries to create an enabling environment for high quality research and graduate training.”

Dr. John Bosco Isunju, a Lecturer at MakSPH and CARTA Focal Person Makerere University presenting the CARTA theory of change. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. John Bosco Isunju, a Lecturer at MakSPH and CARTA Focal Person Makerere University presenting the CARTA theory of change.

Professor Anne Kisaka Nangulu, an economic historian and the Principal of Bomet, a Moi University constituent college in Kenya, challenged iCARTA trainees to demonstrate good academic citizenship and integrity.

She also gave advice to the trainees on how to lead ethically: “Leading in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of others, knowing your core values, and having the courage to live them in all of your life as well as parts of it in service of the common good are important.”

Professor Anne Kisaka Nangulu, an economic historian and the Principal of Bomet, a Moi University constituent college in Kenya. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Anne Kisaka Nangulu, an economic historian and the Principal of Bomet, a Moi University constituent college in Kenya.

Prof. Nangulu observed, “Whenever we have new graduates, I just feel wonderful. I not only feel nice but I sleep well.  CARTA philosophy is to stop brain drain and demonstrate to the rest of the world our independence. Just remember there’s is no institution without people as you go about your day. Please make a tiny adjustment where you are. I believed that we all have great potential. Although I’ve never believed in teamwork, I do believe in group work. Let this APAS be a community that exists. Change using this platform.

Dr. Daphney Nozizwe Conco, a Senior Lecturer at University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health and CARTA facilitator urged the ToT graduands to; “Use this platform for connecting and enhancing the CARTA vision. What pays us is the impact. You can’t quantify it. Most of the time, such a training is a stepping stone. Such moments are overwhelming. Being in Makerere University is a moment of pride as South African. Historical moments.”

Dr. Daphney Nozizwe Conco, a Senior Lecturer at University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health and CARTA facilitator (Centre) mentors some of the APAS ToT trainees at Makerere University. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Daphney Nozizwe Conco, a Senior Lecturer at University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health and CARTA facilitator (Centre) mentors some of the APAS ToT trainees at Makerere University.

Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean, MakSPH hailed CARTA for the opportunity to train the staff citing that Makerere University cannot improve graduate training when its support system improve including the administrators is not improved.

Professor Wanyenze urged the trainees as strong support system of the university to work with diligence and ensure the university stakeholders good experience and services from the university for improved relations. 

Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean, MakSPH (Left) interacts with Director of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training and CARTA focal person at Makerere University, Prof. Edward Bbaale (Centre) and Mr. Herbert Bataamye, a College Registrar (Right).
Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean, MakSPH (Left) interacts with Director of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training and CARTA focal person at Makerere University, Prof. Edward Bbaale (Centre) and Mr. Herbert Bataamye, a College Registrar (Right).

“How can we provide quality support system to our students so that they can come to us again? We like to create alumni networks and we want them to engage with us, contribute the money. Are we sure they want to see us or look in our eyes? You are supporting your future collaborators when you are supporting your students. There has to be quality, quality is more of perception. What people feel about what we do is the quality that lasts in their minds. Forget about the standards, people will always remember how they are treated whenever they interact with us,” said. 

Professor Wanyenze thanked the organizers of the training under CARTA for supporting Makerere University towards realizing its ambitious target of becoming a “research-led” institution with a multi-faceted research agenda.

“We are talking instutionalisation. CARTA was helping us to do what we were supposed to do.  It is excellent because it talks about training people locally. CARTA is a great program for me in many ways. I hope we can institutionalise some of those good practices,” she noted. 

According to Professor Wanyenze, every time universities have policy shifts they tend to focus on professors but not both the professors and the support systems.

“The biggest challenge that we have in our graduate training in most of the universities in Africa that I know; is support systems. We are not going to improve graduate training in Makerere University unless we improve support systems. Everybody that comes in contact with or interfaces with graduate students has a role to play in graduate training. In terms of ensuring training quality and an enjoyable time at university. How do you handle the students when they come to you as finance officers, what about the administrators, who delays submission of the dissertation books when they have been submitted? We need to put the systems right and start looking at a student as a human being. We have to interface with the students and engage them as human beings,” observed Prof. Wanyenze.  

Professor Edward Bbaale, Director of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University, stressed the importance of providing students with excellent experiences during their time at the university. He highlighted that these students could become future leaders, and their experiences could have a significant impact, potentially holding consequences if mishandled.

“The current Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance/Secretary to the Treasury was my student in economics through his undergraduate degree. Still, when he came back for his master’s degree, I taught him and also supervised his research, but I didn’t know that this young man would at one time be the one making decisions on how much money comes to Makerere University,” said Prof. Bbaale. 

Professor Edward Bbaale, Director of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University delivering his remarks while opening the training. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Edward Bbaale, Director of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University delivering his remarks while opening the training.

“I don’t know how I treated him as a student. Recently, the undersecretary in the ministry of finance, who is now a council member, was our PhD student in economics, and I don’t know how we treated him. Those two people combined, if they are to fail the university in terms of financing as a payback, can Both of them were our students in the same environment, but we really thank God that maybe they are working in our favor. One of them is a council member making critical decisions,” he added. 

Huzaifah Mutyaba, an administrator at MakSPH, committed to implementing the APAS program after receiving facilitator training. “I have met a lot of new friends. We are going to meet soon, and we shall be discussing how to support our other colleagues to support graduate training and research at Makerere University,” Mutyaba said.

Jackie Norah Nanteza, an iCARTA trainer, emphasizes that quality goes beyond standards; it’s about how the recipients of your services perceive them. “This has been a very wonderful group to facilitate speaking sincerely. Continuously building on capacity and enthusiasm, you feel like there is power inside you. Get that energy and commit to doing better things.”

Jackie Norah Nanteza, an iCARTA trainer speaking during the training. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Jackie Norah Nanteza, an iCARTA trainer speaking during the training.

Alison Annet Kinengyere, a Library and Information Scientist at Sir Albert Cook Medical Library, commended the participants for their dedicated attendance throughout the five-day course. “I am impressed by the participants’ commitment. At Makerere University, for participants to be available for the five days is a great thing, and I congratulate all of you on your successful completion of this course.”

Twenty years ago, CARTA was formed to address a critical gap in research capacity in African public universities through a suite of interventions to enhance individuals’ and institutional capacities for high quality research at eight institutions.

Alison Annet Kinengyere, a Library and Information Scientist at Sir Albert Cook Medical Library and a iCARTA facilitator demonstrates to one of the participants during the training. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Alison Annet Kinengyere, a Library and Information Scientist at Sir Albert Cook Medical Library and a iCARTA facilitator demonstrates to one of the participants during the training.


The Consortium composed of African (Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa) and non-African partner universities and institutions from Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK sought to produce high-quality early career researchers (ECRs) who will, in turn, become research leaders enhancing the engagement between the CARTA community (ERC’s, supervisors, graduates) and society to influence policy and programmatic change to improve long-term health outcomes.

Dr. Isunju observes that CARTA trains doctoral and post-doctoral students and other institutional functionaries that support research and graduate training. “So far 22 PhD fellows have graduated and another five in the pipeline to graduate soon. We are very grateful for what CARTA has done.”

CARTA not only trains doctoral students but also provides support to various university staff members, including administrative, professional, and academic roles. APAS was initially targeted at administrative and academic staff. It was later expanded to include crucial professional roles like communications, procurement, and registrars, recognizing their pivotal role in advancing graduate education and research within our institutions.

The first APAS ToT which was held at Makerere University where CARTA trained three people from each of the main institutions in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Wits, Malawi, Nairobi -Moi and University Rwanda. who have since become our local trainers. In Makerere University, Jackie Nanteza, Dr. Andrew Tamale and Dr. Alison Kinengyere benefited from the initial training.

Dr. Bukirwa Joyce Muwanguzi, a Lecturer of Library And Information Science at Makerere University's CoCIS and one of the APAS trainees presenting during the training. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Bukirwa Joyce Muwanguzi, a Lecturer of Library And Information Science at Makerere University‘s CoCIS and one of the APAS trainees presenting during the training.

According to Prof. Bbaale, Makerere University’s strategic plan 2020-2030 aims at transforming a university into a research led institution and that one of the building blocks for this realization is to increase graduate enrolment and knowledge production that responds to national, regional and global developments and challenges.

He highlighted that Makerere University is determined to have the share of graduate students at 30% by 2030 many of which must be international students. “The School of Public Health and the entire College of Health Sciences has already gone over and above this target but definitely your performance is dampened by the rest of the units in the university taking us to around 12%,” Prof. Bbaale said. 

Dr. Nicholas Itaaga, a Senior Lecturer of Economics of Education and Head of Department, Foundations and Curriculum Studies, School of Education, College of Education and External Studies and a colleague (both trainees) in a role play during the workshop. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Nicholas Itaaga, a Senior Lecturer of Economics of Education and Head of Department, Foundations and Curriculum Studies, School of Education, College of Education and External Studies and a colleague (both trainees) in a role play during the workshop.

He added that; “We want to internationalize as much as possible, out of the 30% target for graduate students, we want to have 10% international students but currently we are around 2%. The second building block of our strategic plan is establishing research entities that leverage largescale multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research activities. The third block is packing and marketing of research outputs for appropriate adoption to impact communities. Makerere University through UNDP has established an innovation hub in an effort to package the research outputs and innovations.”

Dr. Bbaale emphasizes DRGT’s commitment to graduate education and research. “Collaboration with various units continues to improve,” he says. The number of PhD students enrolled and graduating has steadily risen, and despite resource limitations, every department at Makerere can at present supervise doctoral students.

Martha Lyaka, a Library Assistant at Makerere University an APAS trainee presenting during workshop. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Martha Lyaka, a Library Assistant at Makerere University an APAS trainee presenting during workshop.


Prof. Bbaale is enthusiastic about participants becoming trainers since it is in line with Makerere University‘s ambition on being a research-led institution. The program boosts facilitators’ abilities, addressing PhD training capacity.

“It is interesting to note that the ToT program seeks to enable trainees to effectively create a multiplier effect in their respective units. This model is quite unique. It will build a critical mass of trainers with a requisite capacity to manage doctoral studies in respective units. I would like to congratulate the MakSPH for taking lead in this front and for building synergies with DRGT as we strive to take graduate training and research at our university. I would like to appreciate the CARTA secretariat that combined effort with Makerere University that led to the grant that is enabling all these activities to take place. I would like to appreciate the vice chancellor for the able and visionary leadership that has identified,” he said.

Dr. Patience Tugume a Lecturer from the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology at Makerere University and an APAS trainee speaks during the workshop. Makerere University School of Public Health, Plot 28 House 30, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Patience Tugume a Lecturer from the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology at Makerere University and an APAS trainee speaks during the workshop.

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Davidson Ndyabahika

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2025 K-POP Festival: Online Auditions

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2025 K-POP Festival, 8th November 2025, Yusuf Lule Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uganda is organizing the 2025 K-POP Festival in Uganda. K-POP stands for Korean Popular Music and this festival will include a K-POP singing or dancing contest open to both individuals and groups. There will be online auditions and a grand festival open to the public.

1. Eligibility

  • The contest is open to all Ugandans
  • Participation is as an individual or in a group

2. How to apply

Record a video of yourself of about 3 minutes of dancing or singing to a K-POP song. Upload the video on your Social Media or YouTube with the hashtag #2025KPOPUG and copy and paste the link to the video in the application form at https://han.gl/kE1xN. The application deadline is 17th October 2025.

The GRAND K-POP FESTIVAL will be held on 8th November 2025 starting 1:00PM at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University.

There will also be a K-POP Random Play Dance Event and everyone is invited to participate and watch.

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Makerere University Council and Top Management Convene Strategic Planning Retreat

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Members of the University Council together with Management in a group photo at consultative meeting towards the formulation of the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026–2029/2030.

The Makerere University Council and Top Management have today convened at Speke Resort Munyonyo to deliberate on the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. The retreat seeks to align Makerere’s priorities with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute to shaping the institution’s next five years.

Opening the discussions, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the centrality of planning in the University’s growth trajectory. He called on members of management to actively participate in the drafting of the new strategic plan. Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress in recent years, noting that the University has drawn a roadmap to becoming a research-led institution, with publications rising from 700 five years ago to 2,000 currently.

He further pointed out the revision of research policies to align with the University’s research agenda, as well as the establishment of innovation hubs that support product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property management. Commending staff for their resilience and success, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated them on winning significant individual grants, some of which now surpass institutional grants. “NDP IV is intended to grow the country tenfold, and I am confident Makerere will make a huge contribution,” he remarked.

Mrs. Lorna Magara

In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, described the retreat as a defining moment for Makerere’s role in Uganda’s transformation. She urged the University to move beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning itself as a central driver of national development.

“Our mandate extends beyond academia. The knowledge we generate, the leaders we shape, and the innovations we deliver must directly fuel Uganda’s growth,” Mrs. Magara stated.

She outlined priority national development areas— agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based development, and advances in science and technology—where Makerere’s expertise can make a decisive impact. Emphasising the urgency of challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile health systems, she noted that within these lie opportunities for Makerere to lead in testing and scaling solutions.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

“This retreat is about discipline and focus. Our strategy cannot be a wish list; it must be a blueprint for measurable national impact,” she said, challenging participants to critically reflect on how Makerere can anchor Uganda’s food security, nurture digital innovators, strengthen health resilience, and raise transformative leaders.

She concluded with a call for boldness and clarity in execution: “The next five years are decisive. Makerere must shift from being a participant in national development to being its strongest driver. What we agree here must position Makerere not only as Uganda’s premier university but also as a trusted national partner and a beacon of Africa’s transformation.”

Participants in a group discussion

The retreat involved detailed discussions and contributions from University leaders, aimed at developing a practical and impact-driven strategic plan that cements Makerere’s role in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Makerere University Welcomes New Cohort of 236 Mastercard Foundation Scholars

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By Carol Kasujja Adii and Bernard Buteera

 On Thursday, 11th September 2025, there was joy and ululations as Makerere University officially welcomed 236 new Scholars, 206 under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and 30 under the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative.

This follows the December 2023 renewal of the partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation, which will enable 1,000 young women and men to receive quality, inclusive education at Makerere over the next decade.

During the joint scholarship award ceremony held in the Main Building, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, in remarks delivered by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, urged scholars to approach the opportunity with diligence and purpose.

“Equip yourself to conquer the world with confidence! Your resilience and ability to think critically will be put to the test. Stay true to your values, the values of Makerere University, and the values of Mastercard Foundation,” Prof. Nawangwe noted.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Ag. DVC AA, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, during the event.

He further cautioned the Scholars to uphold the University’s regulations as they navigate their academic journey and expressed gratitude to the Foundation for renewing the partnership for a further ten years and launching the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative.

Rigorous Selection Process
According to Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Chairperson of the Scholars’ Selection Sub-Committee, this year’s selection was highly competitive and lasted nearly six months.

“For undergraduate scholarships, the Program received 2,559 applications for 290 slots. Of these, 568 were shortlisted for interviews, 407 validated and 194 ultimately selected (142 female and 52 male),” Prof. Okumu said.

He further explained that for graduate (Master’s) scholarships, there were 784 applicants for 11 slots. 64 were shortlisted, 28 validated, and 12 successful.

The Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative attracted 190 Master’s degree applicants, with 30 selected (20 female and 10 male).

Behind these numbers are stories of resilience and courage: 73% of the new Scholars are women; 45 are refugees; 22 are persons with disabilities; and 14 are international students from Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. The cohort represents 67 districts of Uganda and 17 refugee settlements,” Prof. Okumu noted.

Words of Encouragement
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, urged the Scholars to embrace resilience as the foundation of their journeys.

Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Executive Director, Mastercard Foundation Uganda, addressing the gathering during the event.

“How you start is not necessarily how you will finish. You belong here, and you earned this scholarship. Take on the responsibility of leadership by developing yourself to uplift your community,” he said.

In her remarks, Prof. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Director, emphasized that the partnership’s goal is to expand inclusive university education and nurture youth into transformative leaders.

During the award ceremony, Prof Namaalwa, who was overjoyed, explained that of the 1,000 scholarships available from 2024 to 2034, 70% are reserved for women and 30% for men.

“The 206 Scholars recruited in Cohort 8 mark 30.6% of the renewed phase’s target, bringing the total to 1,338 Scholars supported since 2013,” Prof. Namaalwa said.

 Scholars and Parents Speak Out
Speaking on behalf of Cohort 8, Scholars, Mungurumo Stephen described the opportunity of being awarded the Mastercard Foundation scholarship as life-changing.

“Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it is about transformation. Our backgrounds do not define our future; they prepare us to recognise success when it arrives. We are here not just for ourselves but to light the way for others and contribute to Africa’s transformation,” he said.

Liong Annet Sworo, a scholar pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Parolinya Refugee Settlement, added:

“Receiving this scholarship has reignited our hopes and ambitions. For many of us who have faced educational interruptions, this is not just an opportunity but a stepping stone to elevate our aspirations.”

Read more here: Mak Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website

Carol Kasujja and Bernard Buteera form the Communications Team for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.

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