General
DRGT engages management and staff on harmonized reporting of research and innovations
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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