Research
Mak-RIF engages Private Sector, NGOs, and CSO representatives in Uganda Review of the Mak-RIF Research Agenda
Published
2 years agoon
By
Mak Editor
On November 9th, 2023, the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee (GMC) and Secretariat convened representatives from the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Civil Society Organizations in the Makerere University College of Computing and Information Sciences Conference Room. This was yet an opportunity for Mak-RIF to share her achievements to date while reflecting on the guiding Research Agenda. It was also an opportunity for participants to garner feedback from the engagement participants to inform the review of the Mak-RIF Research Agenda.
It is usually important to know who is in the room not only for purposes of knowing who is with you and or accountability but also to enhance networking and collaborations that might emanate from the networking opportunities therein. In this regard, this engagement started with self-introductions. Participants included representatives from Joint Medical Stores, Uganda Tourism Association, Legacy Road Safety Initiative, Environmental Rights NGO, Uganda Christian University, Pathfinder International, USAID Uganda Family Planning Activity, Uganda Law Society, Save for Health Uganda, Aloesha Organic, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Radio Simba, Busitema University, International Rescue Committee, Green Herbs Uganda Limited, Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, Uganda Moslem Catholic Bureau, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Zimba Women, Fundi Bots, Water for People, M’Omulimisa, Teenage Mothers and Child Protection Organization, RECO Industries, Uganda Connect among others.
Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Chairperson of Mak-RIF GMC welcomed all participants noting that for the last five years, Mak-RIF’s work has been guided by the Research Agenda currently under review. “We are looking forward to receiving views from all of you representatives of stakeholders in the country and beyond to further inform the review of the Mak-RIF Research Agenda,” Prof. Masagazi said. He recognized the continuous support from all stakeholders since 2019 during the inception stages towards building the Mak-RIF story. “Several of you or your colleagues in the institutions and organizations in which you serve are part of research teams and have continued to support our researchers in several ways. Some of you have joined in our research and innovation outputs dissemination sessions, thank you all” he added. He highlighted some questions to guide the review of the Mak-RIF Research Agenda including the following;
- Has the Mak-RIF met community expectations yet? If not, what else can be done?
- Is there a need to develop a new Research Agenda or even review the existing one?
- Do the prevailing socio-economic conditions require a new Research Agenda?
- What should be included in the new Research Agenda?
- Would all our ideas contribute to Uganda’s National Development Plan, Sustainable Development Goals, Sector Priorities etc.?
- Do our ideas rhyme with the National Development Plan? Can we work together to translate Makerere University into research-led university?

“Our interest is in knowing from you our meeting participants which other areas we can conduct research in. What else can we do together? We still need additional funds to support research, where else can the university source for funding? Can we work together to source more funds because we cannot rely on Government funding alone?” Prof. Masagazi said. He further guided the engagement participants saying that Mak-RIF shall implement all ideas provided they speak and are in line with the National Development Plan, Sustainable Development Goals, Sector Priorities as well as the Makerere University Strategic Agenda of becoming a research-led institution. He concluded his welcome note by calling upon all participants to secure time and interact with the Mak-RIF website for additional information about the ongoing research and innovation work.

Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training representing Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor Makerere University officially opened this engagement and later chaired the discussion session to further generate additional input to the operational Mak-RIF Research Agenda. He thanked all participants for honoring the invitation noting that without such engagements the university cannot easily achieve its strategic objectives and goals. He reechoed the fact that Mak-RIF is currently supporting 1,061 multidisciplinary research and innovation projects (including 117 PhD awards and 41 multiyear projects our most recent awardees). These projects receive funding, technical and non-technical support necessary to conduct development research and generate innovative solutions directed towards addressing diverse challenges in the communities in which we live and serve.
Prof. Bbaale also appreciated all researchers and innovators not only from Makerere University but also from other institutions which were represented in the day’s engagement and embraced all the previously shared funding opportunities, prepared and submitted applications to benefit from the Government Fund, saying that it is the way to go. “Thank you for remaining open to partnering with researchers from Makerere University to apply for funding and later implement the projects. It is through the Mak-RIF initiative that Makerere University is enabling several university faculty, students, administration, and collaborating institutions including the Government, Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Community Service Organizations to contribute to the local generation of translatable research and scalable innovations that address key gaps required to drive Uganda’s development agenda” he added. Prof. Bbaale also emphasized the need to join efforts to scale research and innovation outputs within Makerere University but also in Uganda noting that scaling research and innovation outputs to the market is a task for all of us.

After Prof. Bbaale delivered the Vice Chancellor’s remarks, Dr. Roy William Mayega, the Coordinator of Mak-RIF shared a highlight of how far the Mak-RIF Research Agenda had guided operations since 2019. He noted that the Mak-RIF Research Agenda currently comprised of 14 Themes including the following;
- Transforming the agricultural sector
- Sustainable health
- Re-imaging Education
- Water, sanitation and environmental sustainability
- Harnessing the social sector to drive development
- Harnessing tourism, wildlife and heritage to drive development
- Sustainable Planning, finance and monitoring
- Leveraging public service and local administration for efficient service delivery
- Defense and security: Achieving sustainable peace and stability
- Strengthening law, governance, human rights and international cooperation
- Harnessing Information and Communication Technology to drive development
- Manufacturing, science and technology as tools to accelerate development
- Catalyzing business and enterprise
- Energy and Minerals as drivers of rapid economic development.

Dr. Mayega also shared examples of research and innovation outputs emanating from the fund. These include the following;
- An interrogation of Tax Education Gaps in the Informal Sector and how they can be leveraged in broadening the Tax Base,
- Another project is exploring to leverage music as therapy for emotional distress of cancer patients,
- Solar Powered Autoclaves for use in Rural Health Centers, The Pedal-Operated Seed Cleaner,
- An electronic partograph for improved monitoring of labor, to reduce maternal mortality,
- Integration of on – and off-grid decentralized renewable energy systems: Enabling Uganda’s largest distributor UMEME to pilot the integration of off-grid decentralized renewable energy systems with grid systems to extend electricity access to unserved communities,
- The Organ and Tissue Biobanking project at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences,
- A project on Transforming Presumptive Age Estimation in Uganda: Methods, Certainty and The Law,
- The Touchless Hand Washing device currently being used in different hospitals and community markets,
- Value addition to Sorghum and Potatoes supporting farmers in South Western Uganda to earn a living and avoid wastage of produce among other projects shared on the Mak-RIF Website https://rif.mak.ac.ug/
During the discussion session, several participants applauded the current Research Agenda noting that it was well thought out and should continue to guide Mak-RIF Operations. The engagement participants also shared some ideas to further inform the review of the running Research Agenda. These included the following;
- Radio stations being the most popular means of communication, we need to carry out audience analysis on television, radio, and even social media, identify and allocate resources to generate the right content, and further leverage technology innovations in both broadcast and print media.
- Youth unemployment and emerging issues as a result of this including skills development/training, tracking and taking into consideration the changing needs of the business world so as to re align Uganda’s training approaches,
- Herbal medicines and the indigenous innovators, how can we support processes to establish the efficacy of these products?
- Can we become more intentional about supporting researchers and innovators through the processes of Intellectual Property acquisition? It is important that Memorandums of Understanding are drafted, reviewed, and signed with relevant Registration Services Bureaus.
- It was also suggested that there is a need to continue supporting efforts to transform research outputs into economically viable and scalable innovations and to inform policy review and cause impact.
- Collaborations and partnerships with the private sector to further scale research and innovation outputs. At this engagement, Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, Uganda Moslem Medical Bureau, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Water for People, and Uganda Law Society (specifically supporting Intellectual Property Rights acquisition processes and Revenue and Tax sensitization) among other organizations openly expressed interest in partnering with Mak-RIF to review and move forth some of the innovations within specific and related working areas.
- There is a need to support product development and packaging efforts to fit the national, regional, and international markets.
- We need to remain intentional in marketing the work we are doing within and outside Uganda.
- In an effort to achieve sustainable health, financing health insurance for example is a key issue. How can the National Insurance Scheme be further informed and supported through the work we are all doing? How can we contribute to the Global Health Security-related efforts in Uganda?
- For the case of agriculture, how can farmers adopt more organic agriculture so that we can even fight some of the non-communicable diseases with organic agricultural products? Could we also explore more involvement of the rural communities in the research and innovations we are working on? This would enable us to further harness indigenous knowledge. Establishing linkages with the informal sector is paramount.
- Could we also re-look at the various existing themes and integrate some of them that speak to each other? In so doing we are dealing with the replication of efforts and knowledge among others.
- Can we allocate some resources to further enhance our visibility (showcase what good we are doing) to key stakeholders including the Government of the Republic of Uganda in an effort to solicit for additional funding?
- There is a need to identify the Research Agenda niche thematic areas within which we can capitalize on to further publicize the fund and attract additional funding. We can harness the low-hanging fruits and benefit from pushing the agenda forth by leveraging these.
- In Uganda, road safety is crucial given the increasing number of traffic injuries, rescue of crash victims and crash data management are important aspects we should also plan to include in the Research Agenda. The research question could be; How can we have safe roads and attain safe travels for all if not majority of the road users?
- There is also a need to relook at and up research on Artificial intelligence in addition to early warning systems for natural disasters, early diagnosis of non-communicable diseases, strengthening community health systems, big data for industry, occupational health and safety, issues of regulation, and community accountability among others.
- Specifically, under theme 12, innovations developed, tested, iterated, and revised accordingly should reach the targeted end users. How do we commercialize the research and innovation outputs developed to date?
- What else can we do together to reduce or even avert teenage pregnancy? How can we further support teenage mothers?
- What can we do to improve the management of poison victims in Uganda? Can we do away with poisoning and its related effects in the country?
- For tourism, how can we avoid over reliance on international tourism? Can we expound our products range? Strengthen our human resource, explore virtual tours etc.
- It would be helpful to have a theme on cross-cutting issues for example indicating that fund beneficiaries are primarily Makerere University staff although others can join the project teams, how the 14 themes feed into the overarching country development themes etc.
- We need to have a theme speaking to research on safe water given the dire need now for us to ensure access to safe water for all.
- ETC.
Prof. Bbaale thanked the engagement participants for their active participation during the discussion session noting that all the input gathered was going to be further synthesized and made ready to inform Mak-RIF Research Agenda. He reechoed the fact that all input to the Mak-RIF Research Agenda needed to speak to and be in line with the National Development Plan, Sustainable Development Goals, Sector Priorities as well as the Makerere University Strategic Agenda of becoming a research-led institution. He wished all participants the very best saying that Makerere University is focused on building for the future for God and our country.
Prof. Bbaale thanked the engagement participants for their active participation during the discussion session noting that all the input gathered was going to be further synthesized and made ready to inform Mak-RIF Research Agenda. He reechoed the fact that all input to the Mak-RIF Research Agenda needed to speak to and be in line with the National Development Plan, Sustainable Development Goals, Sector Priorities as well as the Makerere University Strategic Agenda of becoming a research-led institution. He wished all participants the very best saying that Makerere University is focused on building for the future for God and our country.
Media mentions
- Uganda Broadcasting Corporation News Bulletin on November 9th, 2023 https://youtu.be/Sbc78ojHu30?si=6fnqIrK_Bi7vGcjo
- Bukedde Television on November 10th, 2023

By: Harriet Adong, Mak-RIF Communications Officer
Contributors
Mrs. Phoebe Lutaaya Kamaya, Mak-RIF Deputy Coordinator
Ms. Evelyne Nyachwo, Mak-RIF Research Support Officer

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Research
Makerere Scientists Document Climate-Smart Innovation in Sentema, Applaud Farmer’s Odor-Control Breakthrough
Published
1 week agoon
August 18, 2025
A team of scientists under the regional research initiative “Building Capacity for Innovation and Advancement of Climate Smart Agriculture in East and Southern Africa” (CICSA-E&SA) visited Mr. Mugisha Jonan, an urban farmer and environmentalist in Sentema Wakiso District, whose adoption of innovative practices is redefining the feasibility of farming in densely populated urban settings.

Through the Nutrient Recycling Innovation, Mr. Mugisha has not only resolved the persistent issue of odor from his dairy farm, but is also unlocking more profitable outcomes by embracing climate-smart agricultural techniques. Central to his approach is the use of VTC Technology, a system designed to recover nutrients from diverse waste streams, including farm and market waste, and return them to their original sources. This transformative method was introduced to him by Dr. Herbert Mukiibi, a renowned scientist from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity at Makerere University.

Based on the demonstration on the farm, the innovative practice will help in reshaping urban agriculture by enhancing sustainable food production while simultaneously addressing critical environmental challenges such as waste management and odor control. Mr. Mugisha’s work stands as a compelling example of how local science-driven solutions can empower urban farmers and contribute to greener, more resilient cities.

Dr. Dorothy Nampanzira Kalule led a team that included Dr. Herbert Mukiibi, the innovator who collaborated directly with Mr. Mugisha to implement the nutrient recycling innovation. Also part of the team was Prof. Josephine Esaete from the College of Education and External Studies, part of the members of the bigger project research team that includes Prof. Robert Stephen Tabuti and Prof. Vincent Muwanika, both from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Makerere University.
“Mr. Mugisha’s work exemplifies the kind of innovation we aim to capture, document and validate as solutions that are proven to work, locally driven, environmentally sound, and socially inclusive,” said Dr. Nampanzira, following a tour of the project site nestled within a densely populated urban residential area.
Dr. Nampanzira said the reason for the visit to the farmer was because through the project, scientists were looking out for farmers doing unique things that actually give them good results which are not known to the scientists. She said the purpose was to validate such practices and have them promoted.

The project, Building Capacity for Innovation and Advancement of Climate-Smart Agriculture in East and Southern Africa (CICSA-E&SA), continues to engage with farmers who have adopted some climate-smart agricultural practices by identifying and supporting solutions that work for farmers on the ground. Through hands-on engagement and collaboration, the initiative focuses on practical innovations that address real challenges, ensuring that climate-smart agriculture is not only sustainable, but also accessible and effective for local communities.
While describing the innovation demonstrated by Mr. Mugisha, Dr. Herbert Mukiibi explained that the Nutrient Recycling Technology is designed to recover nutrients from various waste streams such as domestic, farm, hospital, schools or market waste and return them to their original source. If the nutrients came from the garden, the ultimate goal is to return them to the garden, Dr. Mukiibi noted. He said that most systems release nutrients through waste, which wastes are often mistreated because people don’t realize they are valuable resources. He said through such interventions, they were coming in to tap on these wastes and return them to the garden in a ready form that can be used by the crops for better yields without necessarily using inorganic forms of fertilizers.
Dr. Mukiibi emphasized that this technology not only promotes sustainable agriculture but also transforms public perception of waste, from a nuisance into a valuable resource thereby encouraging more responsible and productive environmental practices. He commended Mr. Mugisha, the farmer behind the initiative, for embracing the technology and personally financing its development. Thanks to Mr. Mugisha’s commitment, the project has advanced to the point where it is nearly ready to produce, package, and sell organic manure, marking a significant milestone in practical nutrient recycling.
“We want to document the various innovations that promote climate-smart agriculture while simultaneously addressing farmers’ real-world challenges,” said Prof. Asaete Josephine, who is part of the research team. “The innovation demonstrated by Mr. Mugisha not only solved his initial problem, the unpleasant smell of dung that was causing concern in the neighborhood, but also evolved into a broader solution. What began as an effort to manage odor has also addressed nutrient deficiencies. That’s where the climate-smart aspect comes in, she noted. Instead of spending resources on inorganic fertilizers, the farmer is now benefiting from nutrient recycling, which promotes faster plant growth while tackling the original issue of odor.”, she noted.

Mr. Mugisha informed the visiting team that he initially started the farm to meet his family’s nutritional needs. However, as the farm grew, he encountered significant challenges related to waste management, which led him to connect with Dr. Herbert Mukiibi, whose expertise helped guide him toward innovative solutions. He said he first adopted biogas technology yet, odor problem persisted, leading him to explored more sustainable options and eventually embraced the nutrient recycling innovation. He said transforming waste into organic manure enabled him resolve the environmental concerns but also enhanced the productivity of his vegetable gardens, and is moving towards packaging and sale of organic manure.

The CICSA-E&SA project is a multi-institutional collaboration led by Makerere University, in partnership with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway), Maseno University (Kenya), and LUANAR and DARS (Malawi). The project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education (Diku) and aims to promote climate-resilient agricultural practices across East and Southern Africa.
Health
Mak and UNICEF Uganda Sign MoU to Strengthen Child Rights through Research, Training, and Innovation
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 15, 2025
Makerere University (Mak) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Uganda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that launches a two-year, renewable partnership aimed at advancing child rights and well-being through rigorous research, capacity building, and policy-driven innovation.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, 14 August 2025, by Makerere Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe and UNICEF Uganda Representative Dr. Robin Nandy in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom at Makerere’s Main Building.
The MoU enlists a focused collaboration on generating child-focused data and research to inform policy and program design, analyzing how health, nutrition, education, and protection initiatives affect children, and strengthening the social sector workforce through targeted training, curricula, and performance standards.
It also emphasizes knowledge management, wide dissemination of findings to stakeholders, policy and legislative advocacy for child rights, and active student engagement through internships, skilling opportunities, and communities of practice. The renewed partnership is designed to bolster evidence-based policy-making and drive program improvements that contribute to Uganda’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“The signing of this MoU deepens Makerere’s long-standing commitment to the well-being of Uganda’s children and Africa’s future,” said Vice Chancellor Nawangwe. “I thank Dr. Nandy for his leadership and for the continued collaboration that will expand our capacity to deliver research with immediate, practical benefits for communities.”
UNICEF’s Dr. Nandy stressed that the partnership reflects UNICEF’s global mission to protect and promote every child’s rights while translating research into policy and action. He highlighted Makerere’s proven strength in research leadership as a critical asset in the effort to generate robust evidence for government decision-making and resource allocation.

“This partnership shows our commitment to combine academic knowledge with practical results,” said Dr. Nandy. “Using Makerere’s research skills to create important information about child welfare issues and solutions, making sure that every project we start is based on solid data and aims to safeguard and support children’s basic rights.”
The partnership builds on Makerere University’s established research strengths and UNICEF’s global mandate to protect children. It complements longstanding collaborative work through Mak’s School of Public Health (MakSPH) and other faculties, reinforcing a broader university-wide commitment to evidence-based policy and community impact.
Since 2016, Makerere has participated in more than 30 UNICEF-supported research projects, which emphasize a deep mutual trust and shared mission. The Vice Chancellor noted that this history laid a robust foundation for the new MoU while also underlining opportunities to broaden collaboration beyond the health sector.

Among the notable prior initiatives is MakSPH’s joint work with UBOS and UNICEF, supported by EU funding, on the first comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in ten districts of Northern Uganda and the West Nile region (2019). The findings of this work informed targeted nutrition programs and strategies to combat malnutrition among vulnerable populations, shaping policy directions at local and national levels.
In 2023, MakSPH, in collaboration with the National Planning Authority (NPA) and UNICEF, along with FHI360 and the Ministry of Health, produced an updated Situation Analysis of Newborn Health in Uganda. The document has guided the ministry’s national strategy development, including costed investments to improve newborn health across the country.
Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of MakSPH, hailed the partnership as a continuation of a long-standing relationship, noting that UNICEF’s support was instrumental in establishing the Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) in 2013.
“It’s such a delight, a great honor to finally get to this event where we can formalize our partnership with UNICEF. The partnership between UNICEF and Makerere has been a long-standing one, and we have worked together for decades, which has driven critical research and informed national policies,” she said. She emphasized that both institutions share a passion for tackling adolescent health challenges, particularly early pregnancies and marriages, which remain persistent barriers to progress.

The MoU extends collaboration beyond the School of Public Health. The Vice Chancellor noted productive partnerships across other departments, including the Department of Journalism and Communication and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, emphasizing how diverse disciplines can contribute to evidence-based policy and community well-being.
Another important example is the Caring for the Caregiver (CFC) intervention led by the Makerere Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER) in the College of Education and External Studies (CEES). This was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF Uganda, and international partners. The evaluation examined caregiver emotional wellbeing, social support, and parenting stress in rural Uganda, contributing to the growing evidence base for nurturing care in resource-constrained settings.

Also, the School of Statistics and Planning in the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has partnered with UNICEF to tackle urgent socio-economic and public health challenges. A key example is the Socio-economic Impact Assessment of the 2022 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Mubende and Kassanda districts, which examined household-level shocks, community coping strategies, and the wider disruption of livelihoods. The study’s findings have informed national policy dialogue and action planning, emphasizing that there must be stronger preparedness measures.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the university’s broader engagement with UNICEF as a driver of research, innovation, and community outreach benefits children and families throughout Uganda.
For Dr. Nandy the partnership will support student involvement in real-world operational and programmatic work, creating pipelines for young scholars to contribute to child welfare initiatives.
Both parties expressed a shared vision of translating research findings into concrete actions that strengthen child protection and opportunities for learning and development. The collaboration is expected to yield new efforts for effective interventions, sharpen the policy dialogue, and catalyze scalable innovations that improve the daily lives of Uganda’s children.

Research
CoVAB Unveils Taught PhD in Livestock Development and Planning
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 15, 2025
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) at Makerere University has officially launched its pioneering taught PhD program in Livestock Development and Planning an initiative marking a significant leap forward in agricultural education and research in Uganda. Designed to address pressing challenges in the livestock sector, the program will blend academic rigor with practical relevance, equipping scholars with the skills and knowledge needed to drive sustainable development, enhance food security, and shape policy across the region.
In alignment with Makerere University’s curriculum development framework, stakeholders from across the livestock industry were invited to contribute their insights to ensure the program is relevant, rigorous, and responsive to contemporary challenges. The stakeholder engagement forum that brought together academics, civil society actors, farmer representatives, donor agencies, and policymakers was convened at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) on Thursday, 14th August 2015. The objective was to solicit broad-based input into the proposed taught PhD program in Livestock Development and Planning, fostering a collaborative approach to shaping its content and direction.

Dr. Dorothy Nampanzira Kalule, Head of the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, welcomed the participants and acknowledged the need for a collaborative effort that would help in the improvement of the proposed program. “This program is not just going to produce intellectually capable individuals, it will produce citizens equipped to solve the real-world challenges facing the livestock industry,” she emphasized.
Dr. Nampanzira paid special tribute to Professor Anthony Mugisha, whom she described as the “thought leader” behind the initiative. His visionary proposal for a taught PhD program ignited a college-wide collaboration, ultimately leading to the development of a curriculum tailored to the evolving needs of Uganda’s livestock sector, she said. She acknowledged the contribution by departmental staff for their unwavering commitment to the development of the program. Quoting Nelson Mandela, she underscored the transformative power of education: “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.” She likened the new PhD program to a finely crafted weapon, calling on participants to help sharpen it through open dialogue and shared expertise. “We are here to sharpen this weapon,” she said. “The enemy is food insecurity and poverty. Let us be bold, open, and visionary in shaping this program.”


“We must strike the right balance,” said Dr. Henry Zakumumpa who represented the Ag. Director of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Professor Julius Kikooma. “Doctoral research requires depth, time, and intellectual maturity, he said while giving counsel on the program which he said should emphasize more on research output”. Zakumumpa said as part of the ongoing reforms, the university was reaffirming the importance of cross-cutting mandatory courses, including Philosophy of Methods, Research Methodology, Gender Research, and Research Writing. These core units are examinable and graded, forming a critical foundation for doctoral scholarship and ensuring that PhD candidates are equipped with essential research competencies and analytical skills.
While referring the college to existing guidelines Zakumumpa advised the team to incorporate a benchmarking process that draws on successful external models, notably the taught PhD program at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), which has been commended for its structured approach and academic rigor.

Prof. Robert Tweyongyere, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR), who represented the Principal of the College, Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, expressed his delight at the milestone achieved. He described the engagement as a valuable opportunity to refine the program and urged the team to strictly adhere to the provided guidelines in order to successfully navigate the approval processes at both Makerere University and the National Council for Higher Education. He congratulated the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources (LIR) on their progress and encouraged other departments to follow suit in designing academic programs that are responsive to societal needs.

Prof. Anthony Mugisha noted that the department initially conceptualized the program idea and, with support from agencies such as RUFORUM, received valuable guidance throughout the development process. He emphasized the importance of advancing beyond technical training to cultivate thought leaders and philosophers within the sector. “With the Master of Livestock Development program, we have begun building a critical mass,” he said, “but we now need to nurture philosophers—individuals who can think deeply and strategically for the future of the sector.”
This PhD focuses on advancing sustainable, ethical, and technologically driven livestock systems. It prepares experts in Livestock production and management, climate-resilient farming, Artificial Intelligence and Digital tools and big data in agriculture as well as Animal welfare and policy leadership.

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