General
Mak-RIF Commercialization Grant Awards Launched
On Tuesday December 19th 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
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
-
General3 days agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General6 days agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2026/27
-
General1 week agoGulu University Benchmarks Makerere University’s Management of Mature Age Entry Examinations
-
General1 week agoMakerere, Southwest Minzu University and NARO Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Livestock Research and Innovation
-
General1 week agoMakerere’s Research Billions Offer MUST a Blueprint for Managing Grants