The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management pose for a group photo at the Makerere@100 Monument with Hon. Maurice Kibalya (Right) and the delegates at the end of the visit to Makerere University on 5th January 2024.
On Friday 5th January 2024, Makerere University was privileged to host delegates of the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) hosted by the Parliament of Uganda from 3rd to 6th January 2024. A biannual event, the 28th Edition of CSPOC will be hosted by India in 2026. The delegation was led by the Member of Parliament for Bugabula South Hon. Maurice Kibalya, who also served as Makerere Guild President from 2005 to 2006.
The delegates were received at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management. Welcoming the visitors, the Vice Chancellor said that Makerere as the region’s premier Higher Education Institution recognizes the need to conduct research that addresses issues such as climate change, food security, emerging diseases, natural disasters, fast population growth and conflicts that affect the community, country and continent.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe addresses the 27th CSPOC Delegates in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium.
“We do this mainly through 36 research centres. We also have centres of excellence such as the Africa Regional Centre of Excellence for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI) because food is going to be the most important thing to solve with the growing population. And we also have the Africa Centre of Excellence in Material Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO), which is using the highest technology to come up with innovations in medicine and other engineering fields” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.
The Vice Chancellor informed delegates that Makerere, through dedicated funding for research and innovations from Government is modernizing her research infrastructure. “Our promise is that we are all set for the next century of service to humanity. I thank you for honouring us with your visit and I hope that you enjoy the rest of your stay in Uganda.”
The Head of Delegation and MP for Bugabula South, Hon. Maurice Kibalya.
In his remarks, the Head of Delegation thanked the University Leadership for preparing to host the delegation at short notice, and apologized on behalf of the Parliament of Uganda and the CSPOC Organising Committee for the absence of the Speakers and Presiding Officers who were visiting Quality Chemicals Limited the same day. He nevertheless informed the Leadership that the Parliament of Uganda is set to host the Pan-African Parliament in May 2024, and is scheduled to host the African Parliamentary Union in 2024, during which events visits to Makerere University will be arranged.
Dr. Nakibuule Rose from CoCIS (Right) talks to the delegates about the E-health system-Mobile data collector during their tour of Mak-RIF projects.
Commending the strides made by the University in research and innovations and acknowledging the need for more support to consolidate these efforts, Hon. Kibalya reassured, “We are proud of Makerere University… Vice Chancellor, you have the best will at the current Parliament.”
Delegates listen to an exhibitor from CoVAB talk about the Low-Cost (Bulamu) Medical Ventilator.
Please see the table below for the list of Mak-RIF projects exhibited.
No.
Project Title
College
PI’s Name
1
Development and promotion of solar powered energy-saving smart electric cook stoves to reduce the cooking carbon footprint in households, institutions and industries: (SE-Cookers)
CAES
Dr. Peter Tumutegyereize
2
Developing and Testing Digital Games for Teenage Reproductive and Mental Health Education
MUBS
Dr. Joseph Kizito Bada
3
Ajon (local brew in Eastern Uganda) Gold: Mechanizing processing and improving shelf life
MUBS
Dr. Bosco Amerit
4
Increasing Aquaculture production in Uganda through low-cost monitoring systems
MUBS
Dr. Charles Olupot
5
Developing a community-based model for integrating bioenergy and poultry production using rice agro-waste (Integrated bioenergy agriculture model)
CoVAB
Dr. Gabriel Tumwine
6
Risk assessment of heavy metals in vegetables consumed in Kampala Uganda
CoVAB
Dr. Tamale Andrew
7
Vitex Medical Tool: An Artificial Intelligence Hospital device that disinfects surfaces and supports Health care workers in Infection control
CoVAB
Dr. Edward Ssebuufu
8
Redvers e-mobility bike: An electric powered motorcycle
CEDAT
Dr. Hillary Kasedde
9
Nylon Based Litter Management Trap for Drainage Systems
CEDAT
Dr. Andrew Ayor
10
E-health system-Mobile data collector
CoCIS
Dr. Nakibuule Rose
11
Improving Livelihoods of Small-Scale Producers in Uganda through Digital Advisory Services
CoCIS
Dr. Richard Edema
12
An automated feedback module for smallholder farmers in crowdsourcing at scale for real-time crop health surveillance
CoCIS
Dr. Florence Nameere Kivunike
13
Crane Cloud: An open-source multi-cloud service layer for highly available cloud-based services in Africa
CoCIS
Dr. Bainomugisha Engineer
14
The Enhanced Product Development and Pilot Testing of a Smart Postpartum haemorrhage Volumetric Drape for Early detection of postpartum haemorrhage during child birth
CHS
Dr. Sam Ononge
15
A Whole University Approach: Kicking Sexual Harassment Out of Higher Education Institutions in Uganda (KISH)
Gender Mainstreaming
Prof. Grace Bantebya
16
Labour Externalization Pathways to The Gulf Cooperating Countries (GCCs) and Development Implications for Uganda
Gender Mainstreaming
Dr. Richard Asaba Bagonza
17
Practicals for the Home for the Rural Student
CoNAS
Dr. Taddeo Ssenyonga
18
Development of Value-added Phytogenic Feed Additives to Replace Conventional Antibiotics in Chicken Feeds
CoNAS
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi
19
Enhancing The Grain Amaranth Value Chain for Improved Nutrition, Livelihoods and Enterprises Development in Uganda
CAES
Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe
20
Manufacturing, Clinical Testing and Commercialization of a Rapid Diagnostic Test for COVID-19
CHS
Prof. Misaki Wayengera
21
Epi Tent
22
Development of Freza a nanotechnology-based preservation solution for shelf-life extension of fruits and vegetables for the local farmer, retailer and vendor in Uganda
MUBS
Dr. Mutumba Abbey
23
Enhancing Value Addition on Potato-Sorghum enterprises for Improved Livelihoods in Uganda (EVaPoSIL)
CAES
Prof. Johnny Mugisha
24
The Low-Cost (Bulamu) Medical Ventilator
CoVAB
Prof. Frank Mwine
25
Improving Point-of-Care Learning for Prostate and Breast Cancer using Machine Learning
CoCIS
Dr. Peter Nabende
Additional Projects Exhibited (Not funded by Mak-RIF)
26
Automating Mobile Microscopy: Diagnostics for Malaria
CoCIS
Dr. Rose Nakasi
Table of Projects showcased during the visit by delegates of the 27th CSPOC to Makerere University on 5th January 2024.
Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Tufts University, and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), invites researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community actors to submit abstracts for the National Symposium on:
Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda: Local Voices for Policy Impact
Date: Wednesday, 12th August 2026 Venue: Makerere University Main Hall
The symposium will examine the drivers, patterns, and impacts of climate-induced youth migration in Uganda, while advancing evidence-based and community-informed policy responses.
Theme: Climate-Induced Youth Migration and Urban Futures in Uganda: Evidence, Voices, and Pathways for Action
Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026
Submit Abstracts To: citiesofyouth@musph.ac.ug
Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to contribute research findings, case studies, policy analyses, and practice-based experiences. Abstracts will be considered for oral and poster presentations.
Makerere University, in partnership with Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Independent University of Bangladesh, Eduardo Mondlane University, and Pokhara University, with funding from Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED), is implementing a project: ‘Co-creating Knowledge for Local Adaptation to Climate Change in LDCs (COLOCAL).
The expected outputs of the project include strengthened educational and research capacity, improved knowledge on inclusive Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and Community Based Adaptation (CBA) including delivering skilled knowledge co-creators, and partnerships to support needs-driven, locally-based and contextually sensitive adaptation. The outputs are anticipated to influence policy, planning and practice around LLA and CBA through collaborative learning and knowledge translation.
In line with targets and activities for 2026/2027, COLOCAL project is offering research support for three (3) Master’s students who have completed their first academic year of taught classes at Makerere University and are interested in undertaking research under one of the following thematic areas. The students MUST have undertaken the course offered under the auspices of the project on Disability, Social Justice and Climate Resilient Development.
Requirements:
A first degree from a reputable university in a field related to the focus of the project
Ugandan citizen below 35 years
Good command of English (spoken and written)
Demonstrated interest in inclusive and climate resilient development
Evidence of practical experience in conducting relevant research during and after undergraduate level
Evidence of full payment of all university fees for the first academic year
The Masters programme being undertaken MUST have explicit content on climate change mitigation and adaptation
Special consideration will be given to students with disabilities, financial challenges, students from ethnic minority groups, internally displaced students, among others
Scholarship and study/research conditions
Availability to complete all research activities in a maximum of 10 months.
Scope of the scholarship
The project will specifically cover stipends and support for field activities only. Support with tuition fees, for the research year, will be provided for students who will complete and submit the research thesis for examination within 10 months from the date of receiving the scholarship offer letter.
How to apply
Interested and eligible candidates should submit the following documents: Application letter, research concept note of not more than 2 pages, academic transcripts/certificates, an updated CV (including contacts of at least two referees) and two recommendation letters.
Send applications via email to: colocal.caes@mak.ac.ug, not later than 20th May, 2026. This contact can as well be used for inquiries, where necessary.
The Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Limited implemented a Gates Foundation training program dubbed “Principle of Management Excellence for Research training” PRIMER in francophone countries, namely, Mali, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This training was delivered by content experts and experienced practitioners, not professionally trained experts. As such, limiting the quality of slide decks, which were largely fragmented with text rather than graphical and infographic elements that suit a mature audience. To effectively deliver a research training program, advanced, engaging, and efficient tools are critical for fostering audience engagement and participation, and for learning and assessment in research management excellence. To achieve this, IDI seeks to hire an expert to:
design and deliver a set of integrated advanced slide decks combining text, visual learning materials (graphical and infographics) and case scenarios
develop a virtual bilingual community learning platform (VBCLP), i.e. with in-built French and English to engage alumni,
develop and automate a pre-course assessment system that potential trainees fill out, and it automates results that are presented in statistical form for easy interpretation and decision making.