The inaugural cohort of the ReSus Summer School Series 2025–2027, held from August 3rd to 12th, 2025, successfully concluded their engagement at Makerere University.Guided by the theme “Renewable Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa (ReSus-AFRICA),” the program convened emerging African researchers to explore innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability through renewable resources.

Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, officiated the closing ceremony held at the Rotary Peace Centre. In his address, he urged participants to carry forward the knowledge, networks, and collaborations forged during the Summer School. “The challenges we face in energy, environment, and resource management demand sustained research, bold innovation, and unwavering commitment,” he emphasized. He encouraged the inaugural cohort to keep the conversations alive and to translate the ideas explored into tangible actions that will positively impact communities and drive transformation across the continent.

Prof. Wamala highlighted the alignment of the Summer School with Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research-led institution. He emphasized that convening early-career scholars from across the continent was a strategic move to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, foster South-to-South knowledge exchange, and equip participants with practical skills in renewable resource management. By hosting 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from various African countries, Makerere University demonstrated its commitment to addressing shared challenges in sustainable development.

It has indeed been an honour for Makerere University to host 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from across Africa. Your contributions, questions, and shared experiences have highlighted the immense value of bringing together diverse minds to address the complex challenges of sustainable development, noted Eng. Dr. Assoc. Prof Dorothy Okello, the Dean of the School of Engineering. This Summer School has demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing research that is both locally relevant and globally impactful.

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On August 7th, 2025, a team from the project to advance Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) knowledge and skills in Uganda visited the Isimba Hydro Power Plant for its second industry stakeholder engagement. The project, a collaborative effort among Makerere, Busitema, and Kyambogo Universities, is supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK. The team was led by Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, the Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), who is also the Principal Investigator of the project.

The visit to the run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant, managed by the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), focused on understanding the real-world application of OSHE principles and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

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The China-Africa Symposium on Urban Water held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, on Friday, 8^th August, 2025, proposed the establishment of a dedicated laboratory in Uganda to support collaborative research and innovation in urban water systems. The symposium was organized under an ongoing research exchange between Ningbo University’s Institute of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering and Makerere University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aiming to strengthen academic ties and address pressing water environment challenges through joint initiatives.

The symposium sought to foster meaningful dialogue and strengthen collaboration on urban water challenges and solutions within African and Chinese contexts. Centered on reviewing ongoing research efforts between Makerere University and Ningbo University, the primary objective was to foster the establishment of a joint research laboratory in Uganda. This envisioned facility would serve as a vibrant hub for collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and capacity development in water engineering and environmental sustainability, driving innovation and shared expertise to address critical water issues across both regions.

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