General
Hon. Dr. Musenero Urges Researchers to Link Research to the Economy
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI), Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero on Monday 02nd October 2023, opened the 2nd Annual NORHED Week in Uganda and challenged the researchers to link research to the economy. Her remarks were motivated by the fact that most of the research outputs and findings in Africa and Uganda are normally shelved, and in most cases fail to materialize into commercialization and industrialization. She noted that the value chain approach adopted by the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Agenda, necessitates that research produces industry-ready prototypes that feed into commercialization and subsequently industrialisation.
“Without promoting research to realize industrialisation and commercialisation, we shall not make good of the efforts in research and innovation. The question I now ask you all is, how do we turn prototypes into industrialisation and commercialisation? Research efforts in Uganda and the region, will only be beneficial to our economies and the people, the day we start focusing our research end goals into industrialization and commercialization.” Musenero said.
Hon. Musenero used the occasion to thank the Norwegian Government and the people of Norway, for their continued support of Higher Education institutions in Uganda. In her further appreciation, the Minister reminded the audience of the need for continued collaboration which the Norwegian people had demonstrated over the years.
“Once again, I really want to thank the people of the Royal Embassy of Norway – Kampala, for supplementing the works of the Government of Uganda in the research agenda, by providing huge amounts of money and support, that has enabled the progress being registered in our research fields. I am, therefore, confident that the future of research in Uganda will be a better one,” Minister Musenero remarked.
Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) together with the the Norwegian Embassy holds a conference yearly to create a platform for researchers who are under the funding of the NORHED II program, to meet and share experiences as well as discuss possible links and synergies across their different projects. This year’s objective was to; discuss the multidisciplinary nature of the research projects, with the aim of translating them into practices, services, and products that will socially, economically and politically empower the citizens of Uganda to lead better lives.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his opening remarks, informed the participants that through the staff development program at Makerere University, more than 300 PhDs had been trained through the funding of NORAD and NORHED Programs.
“Indeed, the greatest resource of any Country is the quality of its human Capital. Uganda and Makerere University have been lucky and proud to have a true friend for more than decades in the people of Norway. This friendship has resulted in the attainment of more than 300 PhDs at Makerere University,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe added that during the COVID-19 period, Makerere University was able to redefine its research agenda in line with its Strategic Plan 2020-2030 aimed at positioning the University as a research-led. The University is now in the final stages of rolling out Countrywide incubation centers which are being implemented with the support from the United Nations Development Programme-Uganda.
“We are now at the final stages of rolling out a Countrywide incubation center and this will help us get lasting solutions to the challenges and problems that affect our people including; poverty, climate change, food security and high unemployment of youth,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the NORHED Institutional Coordinator, who also doubles as the Academic Registrar, observed that Makerere University is participating in 19 of Uganda’s 21 NORHED II project programs in sectors like education, health, natural resource management, gender, food security, ICT, and more. Prof. Buyinza attributed this proportion to the generosity and the support of the people of Norway.
“We are driving the knowledge economy of Uganda and we have been in this cooperation since 1990s and this goes ahead to demonstrate the cordial relationship and generosity that the people of Uganda and Norway have had. The meeting will enable us to realize an amazing diversity of research ideas that will provide impact beyond just publication but further fostering of social, economic, and political impact. We therefore have an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and experiences for one full week.” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Addressing participants, the Head of NORHED Delegation Ms. Solbjørg Sjøveian said that NORHED is not only about strengthening Universities but the long-term effects that this capacity building had on societies. She added that Ugandan Institutions and researchers must be in the driving seat in the knowledge production that will solve the problems the world grapples with.
“Our core goal is that the NORHED programme is not only geared at strengthening research works but the impact of the research on the societal transformation. We therefore wish to reassure you all of our committement in the realization of this desire” she added.
Ms. Solbjørg Sjøveian paid tribute and thanked Makerere University for the central role it has played in Uganda and the region especially, in hosting the largest number of NORHED projects whose impacts are visible and have caused transformational change. The Minister Counsellor and the Deputy Head of the Norwegian Embassy in Kampala, Mr.Ole Reidar Bergum representiing the Norwegian Ambassador to Uganda, in his remarks re-echoed the statement of Ms. Solbjørg Sjøveian that the Norwegian programme for Capacity Development (NORHED), aims at strengthening the Capacity of the Universities to be more inclusive in research processes including, knowledge sharing.
This year’s NORHED Week focused on the relevance of research for society. Efforts to translate research into policies, practices, and services that tackle local challenges. A total of 60 projects were awarded globally under NORHED II funding, and it is set to run from 2021 to 2026. The collaboration is however not limited to Makerere University but also includes other Universities like Uganda Christian University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University, Uganda Martyrs University and Makerere University Business School.
The NORHED Week itinerary was prepared by a team led by Assoc. Prof. John Mango, featured Keynote presentations on the first day led by Prof. Rhoda Wanyeze – Dean, School of Public Health, on the Topic: How can research be oriented to be relevant to Society? And other keynote speakers including; Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner, Water Resources, Planning and Regulations, Ministry of Water and Environment, Prof. John Muyonga – Mak CAES, Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize – MoSTI, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, Dr. Isaac Mugume, among others.
The two-week training programme aims to equip government officers with practical skills to assess project viability, manage investment risks and ensure public resources deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) is strengthening the capacity of government officers to undertake financial appraisal and risk analysis of public investment projects through a two-week training programme designed to improve the quality of project preparation, appraisal and decision-making in Uganda.
The training, which started in Fort Portal on October 19, 2026, brought together participants from various government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), alongside facilitators from Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Cambridge Resources International (CRI), the National Planning Authority and the Uganda Development Bank.
Officially opening the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ms Esther Ayebare, Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Project Analysis and Public Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, emphasised the importance of rigorous project appraisal in strengthening Uganda’s public investment management system.
She noted that projects admitted into the public investment plan must be aligned with national priorities, technically sound, financially viable and capable of delivering value for money.
“Government must be able to compare investment alternatives and ensure that only viable projects proceed through the public investment process,” she emphasised.
Ms Ayebare explained that sound appraisal enables government to make informed investment decisions, maximise returns on public expenditure and ensure that limited public resources are directed towards projects with the greatest potential to deliver development outcomes.
Building practical skills for better investment decisions
The training builds on the Public Investment Management course conducted in June, which introduced participants to Uganda’s public investment management framework, including project conceptualisation, stakeholder analysis, project costing, implementation action plans, the Integrated Bank of Projects, and monitoring and evaluation of public investment reforms.
The current programme advances this foundation by equipping participants with technical competencies in financial appraisal, financial modelling and risk analysis.
Participants will explore integrated investment appraisal, alternative investment criteria, cash-flow statements, inflation and exchange-rate movements, asset valuation, project financing, project scale and timing, risk-sharing arrangements and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Through practical exercises and case studies, participants will apply these concepts to investment scenarios in sectors such as roads, health, education and water. The programme will also examine how climate change, social considerations and other risks can be integrated into project preparation and appraisal.
Ms Ayebare encouraged participants to engage actively with the facilitators, question the practical application of the tools and consider how the skills acquired could improve investment decisions within their respective institutions.
She also reminded participants that the programme includes an examination and that certification requires more than attendance. Participants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and acquire practical skills that they can apply in their work.
Reducing dependence on externally prepared studies
A key objective of the training is to strengthen the ability of government institutions to undertake high-quality project appraisal studies using their own technical teams.
Ms Ayebare observed that many studies submitted to the Development Committee have traditionally been prepared by external consultants, often at considerable cost. Building the capacity of public officers to conduct these studies independently can help institutions strengthen their technical expertise and improve the quality of project proposals presented for consideration.
She urged participants to take full advantage of the facilitators’ expertise and return to their institutions equipped to undertake sound financial appraisals and provide evidence-based advice to decision-makers.
She further emphasised that project approval requires thorough preparation, analysis and justification, rather than simply identifying available funding and proposing a project to utilise it.
Strengthening public investment management through capacity development
In his remarks, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM CoE, thanked the Ministry of Finance for its financial support and for identifying participants from government institutions. He also recognised the contributions of the facilitators and partner institutions in delivering the programme.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the Centre’s work extends beyond training to include research and advisory services aimed at improving public investment management practices. He encouraged continued collaboration with government institutions and other partners to advance research, knowledge sharing and capacity development.
Speaking during the training, Dr John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the importance of commitment, active participation and punctuality throughout the programme. He encouraged participants to engage with the facilitators, ask questions and apply the knowledge gained to the projects they support.
Dr Sseruyange also acknowledged the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for financing the training, and appreciated Cambridge Resources International for its continued support towards improving public investment preparation and analysis in Uganda.
The training reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system by equipping public officers with the knowledge and practical competencies needed to assess projects rigorously, identify potential risks and make informed investment decisions.
By developing in-house expertise across government institutions, the programme seeks to contribute to better-prepared projects, more efficient use of public resources and improved delivery of Uganda’s development priorities.
President Yoweri K. Museveni while officiating as Chief Guest at the Julius Nyerere Annual Symposium 2026: Nyerere-Museveni Dialogue at Makerere University called upon the audience not to merely hold Nyerere’s Legacy as a historical footprint but as a masterplan for the future that remains unfinished. Organised by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), the symposium was a two day event that started with “ekyooto” on 13th October at the JNLC gardens and climaxed on 14th October in Freedom Square. The second day hinged on the theme: Borrowing from the Past, Building the Future.
In the President’s message delivered by Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, the president spotlighted, “Mwalimu Nyerere as the greatest African that ever lived in terms of contribution to the African people’s efforts for freedom, human rights, and dignity.”
This greatness, he notes, spilled not just to political ideals but also to economics and security. The President agreed with him and warned that “freedom without economic transformation and economic prosperity, without a robust strategic security, remains incomplete.”
Reaching out to the younger generation of scholars and leaders, the President issued a strong warning to move beyond simply remembering Nyerere to action. He said, “you must carry forward the torch of pan-Africanism, reject sectarianism and tribalism, build our regional markets, and champion the total political integration of our motherland.”
He appreciated Mwalimu for his; unwavering support for the struggle of the East African Federation, courageous backing of the armed anti-colonial struggles in the southern half of Africa, principled and decisive support for the anti-Idi Amin struggle, pro-people and pro-unity policies that kept Tanzania peaceful for decades, and ensuring that Tanzania remained a strategic rear base for the entire African resistance.
As a believer in Nyerere’s ideals, the President urged the audience to honor Mwalimu “not merely through commemorative speeches, but through completing the historical task of uniting, defending, and prospering our motherland,” for the motive is to ensure that the independence wars won by our predecessors were not in vain.
To this note, he reiterated the case for Uganda, saying “we shall never forget his profound contribution” to Africa.
Professor Nyamsenda’s Keynote Unparked Pan-Africanism
During the Nyerere-Museveni Dialogue symposium at Makerere University, Professor Sabatho Nyamsenda, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam delivered the Keynote Address titled “The Unfinished African Project: From Liberation Legacies to a New Generation of Transformation” during the symposium”.
He started on a lighter noticing “Nyerere is being Ugandanised.” This he said looking at the annual Public Lectures dedicated to his name and felt like challenging his home institutions to follow suit.
At the calm of the room, he presented a critique of the current state of Pan-Africanism, arguing that it has been grabbed by the ruling elites, a challenge Professor Nyamsenda identifies to have started in the period of 1960 -1980.
He explained that it was around this time period that Pan-Africanism was snatched away from the masses and it became a state project. Currently, he said the ideology exists in two forms: Boardroom and Street Pan-Africanism.
Professor, characterised Boardroom Pan-Africanism as a State Project. He said “boardroom Pan-Africanism sits comfortably with imperialism and elite-centered accumulation.” While Street Pan-Africanism to which Professor advocates, he emphasised that historically, this approach “united the African liberation movement and liberated the African continent from the most barbaric colonial powers.”
As he concluded, Professor Nyamsenda joined Mwalimu and the President of Uganda in urging youth to consider joining and leading the struggle for a better Africa.
Role of JNLC in Realising Nyerere’s Ideas
Professor Saturninus Kasozi Mulindwa, the JNLC Board Chair highlighted the primary objective of the center as “imparting knowledge and sharing experiences from the old generations to the new generations.” Therefore, JNLC contributes to the actualisation of Nyerere’s ideas by focusing on the development of the next generation of African leaders.
To supplement this, Dr. Nansozi K. Mwanga the Executive Director at JNLC said that the center is committed to “nurturing ethical, conscious, and transformative leaders inspired by Mwalimu’s ideas of service, human dignity, self-reliance, and Pan-African solidarity.”
She explained their focus is on several key areas with training as core. They have “trained over 1,500 young people and young leaders from across Uganda.”, and developed leadership programs “grounded in ethical decision-making, civic responsibility, public service, and action.”
In her remarks, it was observed that training alone is not enough; they are also doing mentorship, to provide opportunities for networking and learning from experienced leaders. There are already testimonies when you visit the Centre wall of fame. To which Dr. Nansozi revealed “leadership development matters when learning becomes service and meaningful action.”
The Centre remains proud of those they have touched and are eager to support as many cohorts.
Julius Nyerere Family Pour their Heart out
Mama Maria Nyerere, addressed the Symposium virtually and commended the Centre for keeping Mwalimu’s values alive.
As a memory of her husband, she reminded the audience that his greatest legacy was anchored on the values by which he lived: service, humility, integrity, unity and love for Africa and its people. She also urged the young people to take up leadership responsibilities and lead with humility, integrity and always remember the people they serve.
Mama Nyerere also advised the youth to learn from those who came before them like her husband with courage to build a better Africa for their generation and those who will come after them.
Joining Mama Nyerere, on behalf of the Nyerere family was Ms. Julia Nyerere, a granddaughter, who attended physically and thanked H.E. Kaguta Museveni for supporting the establishment of the Julius Nyerere Centre at Makerere University and also commended the Keynote Speaker Professor Nyamsenda for Critiquing Nyerere’s ideas.
Julia further shared an understanding of her grand-father’s interest in preserving humanity as a moral.
As a family they are happy that his (Nyerere) values and legacies continue to inspire Africa and beyond.
Appreciation for All who Made the Symposium Possible
Addressing the symposium, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, represented by Professor Henry Alinaitwe the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration expressed the University’s appreciation and commitment.
He thanked “the government of Uganda for the support they are giving to the Julius Nyerere Leadership Center,” and requested Dr. Kiyonga to “convey the message to the fountain of honour for this initiative that Makerere University is happy for, and is going on well.”
To the leadership of the Center, he specifically thanked the Director Dr. Nansozi for her focused leadership. He stated, “I commend my friend, Dr. Nansozi, for the work that you are doing.”
Professor Alinaitwe also emphasized “we” value these symposiums, saying, “as a university, we acknowledge that such activities create great visibility.”
Dr. Kiyonga was also thanked for delivering the President’s message, together with veterans like Professor Kabwegyere, among other distinguished guests and partners that attended.
Professor Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere as well appreciated all and emphasised the collective duty of the youth in building the next generation.
He advised “your responsibility is to identify and build Africa forward, building on the legacies and foundations of our forefathers,”.
The Professor also argued that “being young on its own is not a virtue. It is what you are when you are young.” He challenges the audience to avoid being ignorant and claim that you are young.
Background of the Nyerere Symposium
The Julius Nyerere Annual Symposium is an intergenerational gathering hosted at Makerere University. For more than six years now, it has been connecting past leadership legacies of Nyerere and other revolutionaries with current regional and continental priorities under the (JNLC) centre.
The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) serves as a training ground and research hub designed to mentor the next generation of African leaders. Co-hosted by Makerere University and the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), the Centre bridges the gap between older statesmen and youth by focusing on Pan-African ideals, ethical governance, and social transformation.
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