General
Mak Hosts Commonwealth Delegates Attending 27th CSPOC
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
Following the briefing, the delegates toured the Makerere University Innovation Hub as well as a showcase of projects funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
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 |
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of Health
- Minister without Portfolio
- Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
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