On Friday 13th February 2026, Makerere University was honored to host Prof. Daniel Branch, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick. This visit marked a significant follow-up to a 2025 delegation from Makerere to Warwick, emphasizing a growing and reciprocal relationship between the two prestigious institutions. Organized by the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), the day began with a strategic meeting in the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, alongside key university leadership including Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi chairperson of Mak-RIF and Mr. Simon Kizito the Deputy University Secretary.

During the initial discussions, Mr. Simon Kizito, reflected on the eye-opening experience of visiting Warwick, specifically praising their forward-thinking approach to industry collaboration and innovation. These observations set the stage for exploring new possibilities for student exchange programs. Such initiatives are envisioned to allow students from both universities to share valuable experiences in research and technology, fostering a global academic environment.

Prof. Nawangwe provided Prof. Branch with an overview of Makerere’s historical significance as the oldest university in East Africa and its immense research capacity, supported by an academic staff holding approximately 1,390 PhDs. He highlighted Makerere’s leadership in technological advancements, citing the design and production of Africa’s first electric car, the Kiira EV. Prof. Nawangwe also addressed the global knowledge gap, noting that Africa currently contributes only 3% of the world’s knowledge. He emphasized that collaborating with institutions like the University of Warwick is essential to increasing this percentage by improving supervision capacity and research impact.

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From February 11th to 12th, 2026, the CEDAT conference hall became a hub of innovation as it hosted the Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems Conference. This two-day event marked a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between BOKU University and Makerere University, a collaboration that has consistently driven major advancements in renewable energy research. The conference served as a platform to celebrate these achievements while charting a course for future technological breakthroughs.

The event was officially opened by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who emphasized the critical role of electricity in national development. Drawing a comparison to his observations in Austria, where electricity is universally accessible, Prof. Nawangwe noted that the lack of widespread energy access in Uganda remains a significant barrier to technological learning. He reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to being at the forefront of solving these energy and technological challenges to better serve the nation.

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Makerere University placed art at the heart of its Narrative Practices Conference, unveiling an exhibition from the Margret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art (MTSIFA) that reimagines myths and everyday life. The showcase highlighted how visual creativity can act as a catalyst for decolonisation, inviting audiences to engage with African realities through images that challenge, inspire, and transform.

The Second Biennial Narrative Practices Conference was convened on December 10–11 at the Public Health Auditorium, under the theme Beyond the Ivory Tower: Our Stories, Our Spaces, and Decolonial Visions at Makerere University.  The event hosted by the Department of Fine Art (DFA), College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), was organized in collaboration with Smith College School for Social Work (USA), The Makula Fund for Children, Peer Nation, Geruka Healing Centre, St. Lucia Children’s Home (Tanzania), and Save the Disabled Children Gaba.

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Written by Harriet Musinguzi, Principal Communication Officer, Makerere University, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology