General
Mak & UNISA Discuss International Collaboration & Joint Academic Interests
On Thursday 2nd November 2023 the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kakumba hosted a delegation from the University of South Africa (UNISA) led by Prof. Tennyson Mgutshini, the Executive Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Prof. Thenjiwe Meyiwa, the Vice-Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation. They were accompanied by Dr. Maxwell Otim Onapa, the Director Science Research and Innovation at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat-Office of the President (STI-OP).
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Kakumba shared that Makerere had in 2022 completed year-long celebrations of 100 years of existence, during which the University renewed her commitment to serve community. He pointed out the large volume of research produced by Makerere that is slowly but progressively penetrating the community, with the aim of rallying behind Government programmes aimed at fostering transformation of society as evidence of this.
The Acting Vice Chancellor nevertheless emphasized that the University is earmarking a lot of knowledge translation initiatives with the aim of impacting policy and practice with well-researched evidence. This, he noted is undertaken through ten colleges, 30 Schools, 115 Departments, various research centres including African Centres of Excellence and various other research units.
On behalf of UNISA, the head of delegation Prof. Mgutshini noted that at 150 years of age his institution is the premier institution in South Africa with over 370,000 students, and graduating over 54,000 annually. In terms of diversity, UNISA students originate from 110 countries, with the majority belonging to Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other African countries, an attribute that contributes to the diversity of campus culture and research produced.
Additionally, more than 40% of the students study on part-time basis, with females constituting 70.7% of the population. UNISA’s strength as an open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) university accords students the flexibility to study as they pursue their careers, resulting in 62% of students being between twenty-five and thirty-nine years of age.
Prof. Mgutshini further shared UNISA’s ten catalytic niche areas, which act as research priorities and areas for scholarly collaborations. He particularly highlighted three; Aviation and Aeronautical Studies, Health Studies/Medicine, and Feminist, Womanist, Bosadi Theorizations as areas the institution is keen to address due to longstanding gender inequalities, racial divisions and the absence of communities of practice. The other seven catalytic niche areas are; Marine studies, Automotive, Energy, Space study and Square Kilometer Array, Fourth Industrial revolution and Digitalisation, Natural Sciences (Biotechnological studies), and Student Support and Co-Curricular activities.
Discussing international collaborative activities and academic areas of interest, the head of delegation expressed UNISA’s readiness and willingness to share best practices in ODeL, given the institutions substantive Learning Management System (LMS) and its rich collection of resources developed over the years. He further cited conducting collaborative multidisciplinary research projects, joint publications and joint academic meetings, joint conferences and symposia producing conference proceedings as some of the low-hanging fruits. Equally emphasized was the co-development and facilitation of research development and enhancement of programmes as a way of sharing best practices in building student entrepreneurship capacity and entrepreneurial activity in research.
Contributing to the discussion Prof. Thenjiwe Meyiwa explained that UNISA has been able to achieve high female enrolment thanks to comprehensive female student enablement programmes that start right from National Policies and trickle down to Colleges and individual performance plans. Programmes also support academic and administrative staff to undertake their Masters and PhD studies with annual awards for the best performing, youngest woman graduate, and other categories.
Discussing the way forward, Prof. Mgutshini proposed three members of delegation led by Makerere Alumnus, Prof. James Wabwire Oguttu to thresh out the finer areas of collaboration, and act as contact persons on the UNISA side. These were matched by nominations of six Makerere staff by the Acting Vice Chancellor.
The Makerere nominees will be led by Prof. Kikooma Julius and will include; Dr. Godfrey Mayende-Deputy Director IODeL, Prof. Bruno Yawe-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Pamela Khanakwa- Dean, School of Liberal and Performing Arts (SPLA), Mr. Hudson Musoke-Director Legal Affairs, and Dr. Julia Kigozi-Dean, School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged its newly admitted PhD students to go beyond pursuing academic qualifications and become independent scholars capable of generating knowledge, solving societal problems and contributing to Africa’s transformation.
The call was made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, during the orientation of the 2026/2027 PhD cohort at Makerere University’s Main Hall in the Main Building on 10th August 2026.
Prof. Ssali told the new scholars that a PhD marks a fundamental shift from previous levels of education, requiring students to take greater responsibility for their academic progress rather than depending entirely on lecturers and supervisors.
“You will have to push yourself and also push your supervisor to move with you,” Prof. Ssali said, urging the students to take ownership of their doctoral journey.
She acknowledged that many PhD students have to balance their studies with employment, family responsibilities and community leadership, making doctoral training demanding. However, she urged them to remain focused on completing their programmes within the prescribed three, four or five years.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere expects its doctoral training to produce scholars who can create knowledge, challenge existing ideas and develop solutions to societal problems.
She encouraged the students to embrace ambiguity and become comfortable questioning what they already know, noting that doctoral education requires scholars to identify important questions, investigate them and generate answers that advance knowledge.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also urged the students to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and scholarly networks rather than confining their research to their individual disciplines.
She said the success of doctoral education should not be measured merely by the number of dissertations completed or papers published, but by the extent to which research contributes to society.
With Africa facing complex challenges, including climate change, disease, population growth and development pressures, Prof. Ssali said PhD scholars have a responsibility to generate evidence that can influence policy, strengthen institutions and advance innovation.
She challenged each scholar to continually ask what problem their research addresses, what solution it advances and whether that solution can create sustainable value.
The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, said the new cohort was joining Makerere at a time when the University is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening graduate education and improving completion rates.
Prof. Kikooma revealed that Makerere received close to 12,000 applications across its master’s, postgraduate and PhD programmes but admitted about 6,000 students.
He said graduate education has been placed at the centre of the University’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and prepare scholars to contribute to knowledge production and innovation.
Under the reforms, PhD students will undertake compulsory cross-cutting courses designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for doctoral research. They will also be required to undertake teaching in either their second or third year under the guidance of their supervisors.
In addition to completing their theses, students will be required to produce at least two publications before graduation, a requirement intended to prepare them to become the next generation of researchers, innovators, inventors and creators.
Makerere has also introduced a digital system to monitor the progress of every PhD student each semester. The system is intended to enable students, supervisors and university officials to identify challenges early and intervene in real time.
Prof. Kikooma urged the scholars to write regularly, think critically, maintain open and constructive relationships with their supervisors and protect their academic integrity and professional reputation.
He also encouraged them to build scholarly networks and remain resilient, noting that rejected papers, disappointing data and unexpected challenges are normal aspects of doctoral training.
The Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, challenged the scholars to ensure that the knowledge they produce is trustworthy, responsible and ethically sound.
Prof. Wamala emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity, rights, safety and autonomy of research participants, particularly where studies involve individuals, communities and personal information.
He highlighted informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice and accountability as critical principles of ethical research and urged students to maintain transparency throughout the research process, from developing research questions and collecting data to analyzing and reporting findings.
Prof. Wamala also cautioned the students on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
He said although AI can assist researchers with activities such as language improvement, it does not remove the researcher’s responsibility for the final product.
Researchers, he said, must verify AI-generated information and remain accountable for inaccurate statements, misleading interpretations and incorrect references.
He further urged students involved in international and other research collaborations to establish clear agreements on roles, authorship, data ownership, access and intellectual property before commencing their research.
The Deputy University Librarian, Dr. Kizito Ongaya, meanwhile, urged the new scholars to make full use of Makerere’s library and information resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Dr. Ongaya said the University operates a hybrid library system combining physical and electronic resources, with more than 200,000 books, 45 e-journal databases and over 16,000 archival materials available to researchers.
He encouraged the students to participate in library training to learn how to access and effectively use electronic resources and to explore specialized libraries and information centers across the University’s colleges.
These include resources covering natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health sciences, education and humanities, as well as museums, botanical gardens, specialized collections and other research facilities.
The newly admitted doctoral students were also addressed by Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Deputy University Bursar and members of Makerere University Convocation.
Makerere University has once again cemented its place as a regional leader in academic excellence after successfully hosting the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) 2026, welcoming the continent’s brightest young minds for a week of intellectual competition, cultural exchange, and leadership development.
Held from 26th July to 1st August 2026, the championship brought together more than 200 student debaters, adjudicators and delegates from 25 universities across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and other invited institutions, transforming the Ivory Tower into East Africa’s premier arena for ideas, innovation and public discourse.
The week-long tournament featured rigorous British Parliamentary debate rounds, public speaking competitions, adjudication workshops and networking sessions designed to sharpen critical thinking, leadership and persuasive communication. Participants debated contemporary issues ranging from governance and economic transformation to technology, public health, climate change and Africa’s future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor welcomed delegates to Makerere University, emphasizing the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also capable of leading meaningful conversations that shape society. The championship reflected Makerere’s vision of producing graduates who are innovative, analytical and prepared to address regional and global challenges.
Beyond competition, EAUDC 2026 became a celebration of East African unity. Delegates experienced Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through social events, campus tours and cultural showcases that fostered friendships beyond national borders. The interactions reinforced the championship’s belief that dialogue remains one of the strongest foundations for regional integration and peaceful cooperation.
The tournament concluded with an electrifying Grand Finale witnessed by students, alumni, university leaders, invited guests and debate enthusiasts. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba represented the Speaker of Parliament as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks he congratulated Makerere University on the successful event and encouraged debate among students.
Prof Sarah Ssali the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University pledged continuous support from the administration towards Makerere Debate Union. Teams demonstrated exceptional research, analytical reasoning and eloquence before a distinguished panel of international adjudicators, bringing to a close one of the most competitive editions of the championship.
The successful hosting of EAUDC 2026 marks another milestone in Makerere University‘s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for debating and public speaking. The event builds on the university’s long-standing tradition of producing outstanding debaters while providing students with opportunities to engage with peers from across the region in meaningful intellectual exchange.
As the championship drew to a close, participants departed Kampala with new friendships, stronger networks and renewed inspiration to continue using debate as a tool for leadership, democratic participation and social transformation.
With the East African chapter successfully concluded, attention now turns to the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship (PAUDC) 2026, where Makerere University will once again represent East Africa on the continental stage.
-
General22 hours agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General7 days agoFreshers’ Joining Instructions 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2026/27
-
General1 week agoMakerere University Welcomes 2026/2027 Freshers
-
General1 week agoProf. Ssali makes strong case for Minutes Writing as MakWC Holds Staff Training