General
Makerere Hosts the 2024 Campus France Education Fair
On 7th March 2024, Makerere University hosted the second edition of the French Study and Campus Fair under the theme: unlocking opportunities in the vibrant world of French education and employment. The one-day event was organized by the French Embassy in Uganda, in conjunction with Makerere University as the host. The event that was structured in three moderated sessions attracted the participation of eight French Universities and more than twelve Ugandan Universities including; Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Islamic University in Uganda, Clarke International University, Uganda Management Institute, Cavendish University, Kampala International University, and the International University of East Africa among others.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umar Kakumba welcomed the delegation and thanked the French Ambassador, H.E. Xavier Sticker, for his unwavering passion in strengthening cooperation between Ugandan and French Universities, especially in the areas of education, research, and innovation. He further noted that the participation of the eight French Universities was a perfect demonstration of opportunities that will facilitate the movement of students between the two countries.
“I am pleased that we are gathered here today at a time when Makerere recently took a new strategic direction that will see it become a research-led University in the region and the world. In so doing, the University developed and passed a comprehensive policy on the internationalisation of our Academic programmes. The fruits of these efforts are being supported through the existing programs like the Erasmus+ Mobility Programme hosted at our International Relations Office” Prof. Kakumba said.
To highlight the achievements of Makerere University in its journey of 100 years, Prof. Kakumba shared with the audience a five-minute video clip, featuring the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe narrating major breakthroughs in research, technology, innovation and teaching.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Xavier Sticker commended and appreciated the Makerere University Management, for their continued support to activities of the Embassy such as hosting the Career Fair. He noted that the presence of representatives from the various universities in Uganda and France was a definite sign of more collaborations and partnerships to come. He challenged the French schools in Kampala to seek more partnership opportunities with Ugandan universities.
“As the French Embassy in Uganda, I wish to commend the eight French universities and the higher education institutions of Uganda that have come here today. This means that for Ugandan students, job applicants, and people who are interested in exploring international avenues in building their career, today is the day of those opportunities,” Ambassador Xavier Sticker said.
He added that the Embassy will assist in availing information on all the internship opportunities and graduate training programs for Ugandan students, especially those who are interested in pursuing education in France.
In the realm of university collaboration and partnerships, France has welcomed more than 4,000 students this year, marking a significant milestone in international education partnerships. However, the statistics reveal that only a modest number of 69 students from Uganda have participated in the French higher education network across 74 public universities. Despite this, France stands out for its distinctive grande écoles, which offer specialized education paths to many African Universities.
Representing the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Uganda, the Spokesperson Dr. Mugimba Dennis reiterated that the Ministry is intentional in supporting research efforts in Higher Education. He added that Makerere University has benefited significantly from the Government’s research and innovations fund allocations. He encouraged the representatives of other Universities present to prioritize postgraduate research programmes that will in the long run address skills shortages, especially in STEM fields and their sub-specialties like medicine and agriculture.
The 2024 Campus France Education Fair was concluded with a dinner organized and hosted by the French Ambassador at his residence in Nakasero. Participants from the Academia, France Alumni Association in Uganda, and members of Diplomatic Missions in Uganda, graced the event.
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).
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