General
Two Mak Staff Honored among Best Grants Administrators
The Society of Research Administrators International (SRA International) has unveiled the class of 2023 Future of the Field recipients.
Ms. Stella Kakeeto, a grants manager and Ms. Edna Angelique Karungi, a grants accountant, at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) were among the 33 individuals selected. They will be formally recognized at SRAI’s Annual Meeting this October in Seattle.
“These individuals represent the most radiant of those rising stars, from all around the US and internationally. We are very proud to have them as our colleagues, mentors, co-workers and friends,” reads in part a statement issued on the SRA International website.
The Future of the Field initiative of SRAI strives to showcase the “up-and-comers” in research administration—those who are influencing the status quo, leading their peers and institutions, and coming up with novel ideas to improve the field.
Gloria W. Greene, President, SRAI said; “The individuals recognized through Future of the Field are some of the best and brightest in our profession.”
The honorees were urged by Greene, who is also the director of contracts and grants at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, to accept their accolades, believe in themselves, and keep working for excellence. “The future is bright, and you are poised to make a remarkable impact in your field!” she said.
Ms. Stella Kakeeto, a grants manager at MakSPH, said she was overjoyed that the work done by grants administrators had been acknowledged.
“I believe in the power of research to transform communities positively. It brings me great joy to contribute towards fostering an empowered research ecosystem,” said Ms. Kakeeto.
At MakSPH, Ms. Kakeeto brings over ten years of invaluable experience in managing donor-funded programs and has actively played a key role in establishing the School’s Grants Office, actively contributing to the development of essential resource documents such as the Grants Procedures Manual and critically needed Standard Operating Procedures.
Currently, she coordinates the MakSPH Seed-Grant Program, where she passionately supports this empowerment program for MakSPH early-career researchers to realize their research aspirations.
In 2020, Ms. Kakeeto and her team received a prestigious grant award from the NIH/NIAID in recognition of their exceptional efforts to boost research-management capacity in the East-African region.
Having entered the field of research administration without prior knowledge, Edna Angelique Karungi, a Grants Accountant at MakSPH embraced the challenge and utilized her accounting background to excel as an assistant accountant in post-award management.
“Within three years, my commitment resulted in a promotion to Accountant, where I now fully execute the finance function for research awards, a milestone that fills me with pride,” she says.
In her ten years of experience, Kalungi oversees grant budgets and expenditures, tracks and ensures compliance with award agencies such as USAID, NIHR, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and UN funding Agencies.
“I am eager to venture into pre-award management, enhance post-award processes, explore new funding opportunities, and contribute to research administration’s advancement through innovation. My passion for this field keeps on growing,” she says.
The duo was selected by a committee of Research Administrator peers, after the program received well over 100 nominations from around the globe. Applications were evaluated based on candidates’ career history, demonstration of exceptional professional growth, and significant contributions made to the advancement of Research Administration.
The Society of Research Administrators International (SRA International) is the leading international organization for research management, offering professionals from more than 40 nations training, professional development, and the most up-to-date, complete information on research management.
Today, SRA International maintains the largest network of research managers in the world in this era of expanding global research collaborations. Being a part of this expanding, active network gives you access to the shifting environment of research management and promotes connections across working institutions.
See details;
https://www.srainternational.org/get-involved/future-field/future-field-honorees
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
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