General
Mak, UNDP Commission Innovation pod
It was a celebration as the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the UNDP Resident Representative, H.E. Elsie Attafuah, commissioned equipment worth $1 million for the newly constructed state-of-the-art innovation Pod at Makerere University. The innovation hub is expected to foster creativity, innovation and collaboration among students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
Commissioned on January 9, 2024, the research facility is expected to drive technological advancements in the country. The Innovation Hub aims to provide a collaborative space for entrepreneurs and researchers to develop groundbreaking solutions. The hub will offer state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support the growth of startups and facilitate knowledge sharing. It will also foster networking opportunities and mentorship programs to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and scaling their businesses. By providing access to cutting-edge technology and expertise, the Innovation Hub will empower entrepreneurs and researchers to push the boundaries of innovation in the country. Additionally, the hub will serve as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth by attracting investors and fostering collaboration between startups and established businesses.
The innovation pod houses several sections, which include the food technology section, technology transfer office, two computer-aided design rooms, vitual reality studio, Computerized Numerical Control workshop (CNC), textiles and design lab, electronic maker space, tools workshop, and 3D printing, among others.
While commissioning the facility, H.E Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP resident representative, called on more innovation among the youth and a need to have Ugandans that have a burning desire to change the status quo so that we can develop the country. This, she said, is the only way the African continent will reduce donor dependence.
She underscored the importance of empowering young people and fostering a culture of ambition and determination.
She said the world is changing and technological advancements are happening at a fast rate which calls for the need to cope with the digital world to address the challenges and create opportunities for poverty alleviation among the people.
“We have had uncertainties in the world, and the changes that we are seeing, including those of a political nature, should open our eyes. The COVID pandemic brought changes but also created opportunities for new technologies and digitalization for new possibilities,” Ms. Attafuah said.
Ms. Attafuah said the future is artificial intelligence, and Africa needs to adapt to the new normal.
Prof. Banarbas Nawangwe, the Makerere University Vice Chancellor, said it is universities that are going to change Africa, and this will only be achieved through conducting a lot of research and creating companies. He shared with the audience the importance of embracing technology and leveraging artificial intelligence for innovation and development in Africa. His dream, he shared, is to see companies born out of research at Makerere University, creating employment for thousands of graduates and driving economic growth.
“We are looking at creating innovations that can employ people who are not as privileged as we are. We must deal with population growth because it is worrying to tackle the economic challenges among people,” Prof. Nawangwe said, adding, “Innovation is the heartbeat of development.” It is crucial for us to find solutions that can uplift marginalized communities and ensure inclusive economic growth, he said.
He cautioned against Africa being left behind in the digital era. “Artificial Intelligence is not a choice; it is a necessity that we must embraced” he concluded.
The Vice Chancellor lauded UNDP for the support extend not only to Makerere University but to the whole of Africa.
He urged the student innovators to make good use of the pod to help them in turning their ideas into commercial products.
“We want to ensure that our students leave the university with startup ideas, which are the products they have come up with. This will act as a ladder to get them to where they want to be,” Prof Nawangwe said.
The vice chancellor used the same event to bid farewell to HE Elsie Attafuah following her transfer to Nigeria.
Mr Nathan Tumuhamye, the head of exploration at UNDP, said the innovation pod is part of the broader UNDP support to the innovation ecosystem within public universities and is being implemented in 13 countries across Africa.
Mr Tumuhamye said the pod will serve students from different disciplines and researchers and it is open to every person who has innovations they want to implement.
He revealed that their ultimate goal is to have a pod that will help youth to create jobs and leave university with business products.
The Innovations
Some innovators took the opportunity to exhibit their ideas. Some of these included Grace Nakyanzi, a third year student pursuing Petroleum Geo-Science and production, who innovated a carbon structure and innovation project designed to mitigate climate changes through capturing carbon dioxide emissions through storing them and repurposing them in various industries.
“This leads to a cleaner and sustainable environment as well as reducing or slowing down the pace of global warming,” she explained.
Nakyanzi believes this project will create employment opportunities, technological advancements, and improved air quality among others.
The project is designed in a sense that it captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which can also be collected from the oceans, or from an industry emitting a lot of carbon dioxide.
Dr Gabriel Tumwine, a lecturer at Makerere at College of Veterinary Animal Resources and Biosecurity, has done research in making briquettes. He said his research was driven by the lack of wood fuel to cook food in Butaleja district. He then conducted research that can enable him to make briquettes out of rice husks.
Dr Tumwine said people in Butaleja engage in rice farming from low lands where forests were cut down. And most of these people, he said, only eat rice because they cannot afford wood fuel to boil hard food like beans that take a lot of fuel.
“We did our simple science to see how we can convert husks into briquettes. Firstly, we change the rice husks into carbonation, making it black. And thereafter, we use binders to make them into the sizes we want to turn them into charcoal,” Dr Tumwine said.
Mr. Mulonde Muwanguzi, a first year student from CoBAMS, came up with a cooking stove that uses old oils after realizing that they had refused people to cut down more trees in Uganda and yet the cost of cooking gas is very high.
“We wanted to minimize the costs to enable even the underprivileged to get access to decent cooking methods recommended by the government,” he said adding, “The stove consists of used oils that are put in a tank and a solar power that powers the battery.
He believes the cooking stove is cheaper since a 20 litre jerrycan of used oils costs UG Shs.20,000 compared to a sack of charcoal which goes for more than UG Shs.150,000.
Matia Ategeka, a graduand of Water and Irrigation Engineering, came up with a water pump that is capable of pumping water without using electricity and solar power to operate.
The water pump is installed in a river or a stream and it keeps rotating as it pumps water being driven by the gravitational force of the flowing water.
Ategeka comes from a village in Kabarole district where they are experiencing a challenge of access to water for irrigation caused by the high cost of pumps available in the markets and maintenance costs.
“We have rivers but accessing water was a problem and when I got a chance and joined Makerere, I sat down and thought of how I can help poor people to solve that problem such that they can access water during the dry season,” Ategeka said.
Joel Felix Ochom, a third year student of Pharmacy also exhibited a new malaria treatment, which he has been researching since 2022. Felix said the drug has undergone various clinical trials in both animals and humans and it has proved to work. “We want to provide cheaper malaria drugs for our population,” he said. The drug, has been packaged as a syrup, capsule and tablet format. The drug, Felix was happy to report has been patented. The dose of 100ml, for an adult cost Shs3000 while that for a child, 50mls costs Shs1500. The team led by Felix has also made mosquito repellent.
Also on display were various varieties of improved cow peas seeds.
College of Health Sciences Quality Assurance (QA) Training in Assessments, Pedagogy and Competence Based Curriculum Held 18–19 June 2026 at Esella Hotel.
Pedagogy, Assessment and Supervision Training Workshop
The College of Health Sciences has embarked on the journey to improve the teaching, assessment and preparation for the adoption of the competence-based curriculum.
The training was held on 18-19 June 2026, at Esella Hotel, Kira, the training targeted the teaching assistants, lecturers’ senior lecturers’ key administrators and some PhD fellows, generally the early career academic staff that are yet growing in the ranks.
Objectives
- Equip participants with modern pedagogical approaches for effective teaching and learning.
- Review and harmonize assessment strategies to ensure quality and fairness in academic evaluation.
- Enhance supervisory competencies for guiding graduate students in research and academic progress.
- Foster collaboration and shared experiences among facilitators, supervisors, and administrators.
The key focus areas for the training
- Guidelines in Assessment & Course Outlines- Dr. Cyprian Misinde -Chief Quality Assurance Officer.
- Competence Based Education and Assessment- Dr. Mike Kagawa
- Advancing continuous improvement in teaching, learning through teaching styles -Dr. Ssebowa Dorothy.
- Teaching methods Knowledge production and acquisition- Dr. Peter Ssenkusu
- Graduate Supervision Challenges and Opportunities- Prof. Grace Ndeezi.
- Competence Based Curriculum in line with the NCHE- Dr. Innocent Besigye.
- Feedback mechanisms in training- Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende.
Key Outcomes for this training
- The participants gained the understanding of learner-centered teaching approaches and pedagogical principles.
- Acquired new skills supervisory skills, particularly in guiding research and addressing student challenges.
- Consensus on adopting standardized assessment tools across graduate programmes.
- Practical exposure to teaching models and interactive learning methods.
- Development of action plans for continuous professional development in pedagogy and supervision.
- The participants also acquired more skills in line with the competence-based curriculum as required by the National Council for Higher Education.
During the Discussion Key important Questions emerged as follows:
- Who supervises the supervisor?
- What is the difference between notion hours and contact hours?
- The 60/40 way of assessments—can it be independent for every course unit taught or allocated differently?
- How do we manage difficult supervisors?
- How do we Coerce PhD students to be fully involved in departmental activities without them feeling Coerced?
- How much time do we need to prepare for the review of the programmes in line with the competence-based curriculum as required by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the World Health Organization (WHO)?
We truly thank the facilitators and the participants who made this training very informative and enlightened. We also appreciate the Principal/Deputy CHS, the Chief QA Officer, Makerere University and the University Management for the enormous support and for making this activity possible.
Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende
Quality Assurance 0ffice
College of Health Sciences,
Makerere University
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA) Prof. Sarah Ssali on 15th July 2026 commended the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU)’s Industrial Trainee Program, describing it as the perfect hands-on intervention for the future workforce. She made the comments while on a guided tour of RENU’s on-campus Lab facility where ten undergraduate students from Makerere and other Universities are undergoing a two-month practical training.
Origin of tour
The tour was prompted by a 24th June 2026 meeting with a RENU delegation led by CEO, Mr. Nicholas Mbonimpa, aimed at broadening the existing partnership with Makerere University beyond internet service provision to supporting teaching, learning and research activities. During the said meeting, Prof. Ssali expressed Makerere‘s desire to produce graduates that are not only academically grounded but also cognizant of the needs of the job market.
In his response then, Mr. Mbonimpa expressed RENU’s readiness to continue advancing digital transformation through advancing resilient connectivity, research infrastructure, and innovative initiatives that enhance teaching, learning, and research. He shared that the Senate Building’s computer network had been revamped in line with advancing resilient connectivity, and the initiative would be expanded to the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) buildings and other premises subsequently.
The RENU CEO further highlighted that resilient connectivity forms a good basis for the proposed Open Radio Access Network (RAN) Architecture deployment set to be done within six months, so as to boost training of students in 5G and other technologies. Other initiatives discussed included training staff and students on acquisition of Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) to improve visibility of their publications and research output.
Training Program Lauded
Addressing student interns during the 15th July guided tour, the DVCAA who was accompanied by the 92nd Guild Speaker Rt. Hon. Trevis Mutatiina Muhwezi urged beneficiaries to harness all the technical and social opportunities accorded by the Program. “Not all students in your respective academic programmes had the benefit of being exposed to this kind of training so please make the most of it and utilize skills gained here beyond the classroom setting”.
The 2026 Industrial Trainee Program is equipping students with skills on how to diagnose and repair ICT equipment based on old and disused stock.
Prof Ssali was also toured the makerspace where solar-powered routers are manufactured and deployed to extend internet connectivity to both rural and urban locations. In 2023, RENU partnered with Mesh++, a Chicago-based connectivity solutions manufacturer, to manufacture solar-powered internet routers in Uganda. Since inception, over 200 units have been manufactured and deployed across various sites in Uganda, while over 80 units have been shipped to various African countries such as Malawi, Rwanda and South Sudan under the RENUMESH Technologies joint venture.
Partnerships Inspiring New Prototypes
The RENU CEO nevertheless pointed to a long turnaround time for shipping parts from the U.S. as one of the drawbacks hindering the product’s rapid deployment. As a result, RENU, in response to the Ugandan Government’s call for import substitution and local capacity development is developing a solar-powered internet router with some of the components sourced from Ugandan companies Innovex and Chloride Excide.
“Innovex will supply the Internet of Things (IoT) component to help RENU remotely monitor and control the router while Chloride Excide will provide the batteries” Mr. Mbonimpa explained. He added that some of the current lot of trainees were already running simulations on the prototype and proposing how the device can be further refined so as to increase its portability and reduce its price.
A call for Expansion
At the conclusion of the tour, Prof. Ssali who commended the use of modular Ugandan components for the prototype thanked the RENU team to exposing students to real-world technological deployments. She nevertheless urged the CEO and his team to expand the program’s intake beyond ten trainees and duration beyond the current two months so as to give students a richer experience.
The CEO RENUMESH Technologies Mr. Brian Masiga thanked the DVCAA for following up their 24th June meeting with the visit, which demonstrates that the University Management values students’ development of practical skills. He equally thanked Prof. Ssali for Management’s support to RENU activities and pledged to further refine the prototype to produce a cheaper and more portable proudly Ugandan product.
General
Makerere University Launches First Writing Summer School to Strengthen Professional Writing Skills.
KAMPALA, UGANDA, EAST AFRICA| July 6, 2026.
Makerere University has officially launched its inaugural writing summer school, a week long professional development program aimed at equipping students, graduates, researchers and staff with practical writing skills required for academic excellence and success in today’s competitive job market. The program jointly organized by the Makerere University Writing Centre and Makerere University Press (MakPress), reflects the University’s commitment to nurturing graduates with not only academic knowledge but also the communication skills needed to thrive professionally.
Held virtually, the launch attracted more than 280 participants from Makerere University and other higher education institutions, demonstrating the growing demand for structured writing support beyond the classroom.
Building the Next Generation of Writers.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Makerere Writing Press, Prof. William Tayeebwa, said the summer school represents an important investment in developing writers before their work reaches publication.
“The press has traditionally focused on publishing books, journals and scholarly work. Today, we are expanding that mission by helping and develop the writers who will produce tomorrow’s publication.
He noted that MakPress continues to support the publication of books and scholarly works produced by members of the Makerere Community. Using recently published books authored by a member of staff and a student as examples, he encouraged participants to submit manuscripts for publishing support rather than relying solely on self publication.
Writing as a Foundation for Academic and Professional Success.
Chairperson of the Makerere University Writing Centre, Prof. Frederick Muyodi, said the center was established to strengthen the writing competences among students, researchers and university staff.
” The Writers Center is here to support every stage of the writing process from CVs and application letters to research manuscripts, grant proposals, reports and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in writing.”
He explained that the Centre supports writing across multiple disciplines and professional contexts, adding that its long term vision is to extend writing support beyond Makerere University to institutions across Uganda and the East African region.
Equipping Graduates for the Labour Market.
Officially launching the summer school, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, described the initiative as a strategic investment in preparing graduates for an increasingly competitive labour market.
She observed that while universities successfully impart disciplinary knowledge, many graduates leave campus without the practical writing skills required to secure employment and other professional opportunities.
“We teach content very, but many students are never taught how to write an effective CV, application letter, motivation statement or scholarly essay. Yet these are the documents that often determine whether someone secures an opportunity.”
Prof. Ssali said the writing summer school would bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice by equipping participants with market ready communication skills.
Reaffirming her office’s commitment to the initiative, she added:
“My office is pleased to support this initiative as we institutionalize the Writing Summer School to ensure that Makerere graduates leave not only with degrees but also with practical competencies needed to thrive professionally,”
She officially declared the inaugural Writing Summer School open and expressed optimism that future editions would attract even more participants and resources.
Participants Gain Practical CV Writing Skills.
The first technical session was facilitated by Mr. Abdul Noor Luttamaguzi, a PhD student in the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences within the School of Bio sciences at Makerere University, a Senior Fisheries Officer with Luweero District Local Government, and the founder and director of the ANL Foundation, an organization that supports youth employment and capacity building.
During the session, he guided participants on developing competitive CVs tailored to specific professionals and employer expectations. He emphasized that applicants should customize their CVs to suit each opportunity instead of submitting the same document for every application. Participants also learned how effectively present their education, work experience, leadership roles technical competencies and professional achievements, while avoiding unnecessary personal information. Practical demonstrations using professional specific CVs provided participants with hands on examples of preparing competitive job application documents.
Looking Ahead.
The Writing Summer School continues throughout the week sessions on application letter writing, responsible use of artificial intelligence, professional communication and other essential writing skills aimed at improving academic productivity and employablity.
Through initiatives such as the Writing Summer School, Makerere University continues to strengthen its commitment to producing graduates who are not academically accomplished but also equipped with practical communication skills that enable them to compete and lead in today’s global workplace.
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