On Tuesday December 19^th 2023, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe launched the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Commercialization Grant Cohort 1 Awards. Fifteen projects will benefit from these Commercialization Grant Awards Cohort 1 worth Uganda Shillings (UGX) 2,082,942,952 (Category 1: UGX 400,000,000, Category 2: UGX 699,302,952 and Category 3: UGX 983,640,000). These include; Hybrid Solar Drier, Senga-Edusave, PhytoFoodPlus, Accessibility of Science practicals, Harnessing Multimedia Technology: Digital Games and Animated stories, Phyto-Nutra Chicken Concentrate Feeds, Rice Husk Briquettes (Briqhusk), Multidisciplinary Mentoring Approach, E-health system-Mobile data collector, Digital land archival collection access, Smart Irrigation Control Kit, Ajon (local brew) Gold: Mechanizing processing and improving shelf life, Vitex Medical Tool: Curbing antimicrobial resistance and effection control, Redvers e-mobility bike and Mpaffu Wine.

Owekitiibwa Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Mak-RIF GMC Chairperson at the onset of this engagement welcomed all participants. He later introduced each of the project Principal Investigators to the Vice Chancellor and other participants noting that these were part of the Cohort 1 Commercialization Grant Awards. Prof. Masagazi emphasized that what Makerere University requires from the awardees included; Timely Accountability and Reporting.

Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director Directorate of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University noted that research commercialization is a crucial area to focus on because it not only empowers researchers to translate research output but also opens up several employment opportunities.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor congratulated all awardees saying; “What we are doing here today morning is important for the Globe, Africa, East Africa, Uganda, and specifically Makerere University, it is therefore Historical. I urge all of us not to spend more time in politics but rather production”, he added.

“Jobs must be created here at Makerere University and in Uganda, let us create companies, goods and or products which can be used in Uganda and can also be exported for us to earn some additional income” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.

Prof. Nawangwe noted that it is possible for us to get out of poverty with more of our efforts and a little bit of foreign investment. “Today is the beginning of something which I think can become big if we all embrace and support it” he added. “If we at Makerere University do not work harder to change the situation of our people in the communities then they will die of poverty. The solutions are within us here at Makerere University, let us leverage each opportunity to positively disrupt the status quo” Prof. Nawangwe said.

Dr. Roy William Mayega, the Mak-RIF Coordinator then shared with the awardees, ‘Next Steps’. His submission highlighted the fact that;

• These awardees were the first to receive the Commercialization Awards and thus they are Mak-RIF flag bearers.
• All awardees should have received an award letter stipulating the award amount
• He called upon all awardees to re work on their budgets as per guidance given.
• Noted that an Induction session would follow and this will be organized by Mak-RIF working closely with the team at the Makerere University Innovation Hub. This team is lead by Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde the Acting Manager, Mak Innovation Hub.
• Awardees would then sign their contracts.
• They would then be free to request for funds to embark on project activity implementation.
• All funds must be appropriately accounted for.
• He urged all to Implement project activities on time and request for more funds.

Assoc. Prof. Hellen Nambalirwa Nkabala, one of the Mak-RIF GMC Members and also a member on the Makerere University Intellectual Property Management Committee while closing the engagement congratulated the awardees upon these awards. She thanked the Government of the Republic of Uganda for funding research and innovations at Makerere University. She also noted that Makerere University researchers have remained open to closely working with stakeholders outside the University with positive spill over effects. She wished all a Merry Christmas reminding the researchers and innovators that the “Mak-RIF team awaits the beautiful success/impact stories”.

In the news- December 19, 2023:

Compiled by: Harriet Adong, Mak-RIF Communications Officer