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DRGT engages management and staff on harmonized reporting of research and innovations

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By Ritah Namisango

The Makerere University Strategic plan stipulates the institution’s goal to transform into a research led University. This pronouncement calls upon university leaders and staff at the different levels to prioritise research and graduate training. It also presents the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) with a golden opportunity to re-align its functions for improved service delivery.

According to the Director Prof. Edward Bbaale, the commitment by DRGT to conform to the University’s strategic direction has led to systematic reviews of its processes, tools and activities.

DRGT Director Prof. Edward Bbaale
DRGT Director Prof. Edward Bbaale

“We have revised the Graduate Students’ Manual and the Postdoctoral policy. We are also reviewing the Makerere University research agenda,” said Prof. Bbaale during a breakfast meeting held on Tuesday 5 th December 2023 at Imperial Royale Hotel. The meeting was attended by Members of the University Management, College Principals, Deputy Principals, Principal Communication Officers, staff from Mak Public Relations Office, Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS), Makerere University Business School, and DRGT.

During the meeting, Prof. Bbaale informed the participants that DRGT is committed to bringing all stakeholders on board to ensure that an environment that is conducive for research to thrive is created.

“We would like to work with you to enhance the reporting and documentation of research and graduate training. DRGT re-affirms its readiness to undertake the coordination role. We are here to discuss and understand the reporting structure of DRGT so that together, we contribute to the harmonization of research and graduate training processes/systems,” he said.

Prof. Bbaale highlighted that graduate training is a major component of a research driven university. He pointed out that DRGT would work with Management, staff and other stakeholders to prioritise graduate training; establish research entities to ensure uptake of research; promote, package and market research and innovations; and harness internationalization and partnerships to support research.

Deputy Principal- College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Eric Awich Ochen contributing to the discussion.

He revealed that the harmonization of the reporting structure for research and graduate training was aimed at enabling the timely tracking of progress in research and outputs as well as sharing with the government, funding agencies, research partners and stakeholders in general, the impact of Makerere University’s research in the transformation of communities.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga commended DRGT for convening key stakeholders at the University to discuss a common reporting structure.

Emphasizing the impact of research, the Vice Chancellor underscored DRGT’s coordination role in working with internal and external partners to come up with innovative ways to market and disseminate research to the communities. “Research from Makerere University should impact communities and contribute to societal transformation,” stated the Vice Chancellor.

Principal CAES – Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga represented the Vice Chancellor.

In the same vein, Prof. Nabanoga expressed the readiness of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as an intensive research unit, to work with DRGT to promote research and graduate training. “Without the coordination role of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, research will not have impact,” she said.

Digitizing research activities:

Prof. Bbaale emphasized the need for digitization and online presence of research, innovations and graduate training milestones. He mentioned that DRGT embarked on digitizing some of its activities, and equally called upon the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) to consolidate digitization efforts.

Highlights of the Research Information Management System:

The Director of DICTS, Mr. Samuel Mugabi highlighted that Makerere University’s Research Information Management System (RIMS) is an online platform that would feed into other systems. “This digital platform focuses on system integration and providing a solution to the reporting challenges.” He subsequently invited Mr. Juma Katongole, the Principal Systems Administrator at DICTS to make a presentation showcasing the major features of RIMS to the audience.

Plenary discussion:

In line with the programme, the Deputy Director (Administration and Graduate Training) and meeting Moderator, Associate Prof. Julius Kikooma, invited the participants to provide input into the reporting structure for research, graduate training processes and the template for DRGT Annual Report.

From the deliberations, participants applauded DRGT on the planned and deliberate strategies targeted at improving the documentation and reporting of research processes, outputs and innovations as well as graduate training. They particularly credited the Directorate for re-organizing of the Graduate Students’ Handbook, which is an important tool of reference for both staff and graduate students.

Moderator- Associate Prof. Julius Kikooma

The participants implored the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training to consider the following:

  • Prioritizing graduate training and its support systems/mechanisms: The University leadership and the respective Colleges should come up with strategies to strengthen graduate training.
  • Tracking the time graduate students spend on the programme: It is important to monitor the time when each graduate student enrolls and when he/she completes the programme. This will provide key insights on the rates as well as the factors that affect completion on a case by case basis.
  • Graduate students’ supervision: Rallying University leaders at different levels to make students supervision attractive through motivation mechanisms, incentives, including the consideration of the number of graduate students, a member of staff is supervising significantly contributing to promotion criteria and/or academic growth.
  • Orientation of PhD Students: There is need for DRGT to work with Colleges to organize scheduled orientations for PhD students because they enroll at different times within the academic year. However, the Directorate should continue undertaking the orientation for the Masters students at the centre because they enroll at the same time.
  • Reporting on Publications: This should be categorized as follows: Staff publications, Staff and Students publications, and Student publications.
  • The Research Reporting Template should provide the following: preliminary information, executive summary, graduate training component and the research component.
  • The Research component will highlight research outputs (publications, books, book chapters, patents, policy briefs), Conference papers, posters and presentations, Innovations and Other scientific discoveries, research grants, collaborations and partnerships, as well as Impact and Outreach.
  • Impact and Outreach component will highlight community engagement activities such as; public lectures and talks, exhibitions, media coverage, policy influence, dissemination days among others.
  • The need for the reporting processes to capture graduate students who are on mobility programmes and their progress.

Closing:

The Director, Prof. Bbaale thanked members for their valuable input into the research reporting processes. He reiterated the Directorate’s readiness to continue working closely with all stakeholders in the execution of its mandate.

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Undergraduate Admissions List: Mop-up/Appeals 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:

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Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research

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Officials from Makerere University and DFCU Bank pose for a group photo at the Main Building Entrance after the MoU signing ceremony on 4th July 2025. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy

Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.

The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.

“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.

“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.

Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.

“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.

About MAK RUN 2025

The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.

The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.

The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

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Diploma in Performing Arts Admission List 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates who passed the special entry examinations for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025

The following have been admitted by the University’s Admissions Committee on Private Sponsorship for the 2025/26 Academic Year

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