Research
Hon. Dr. Muyingo Officially Launches Graduate Forum, Research Management System
The Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. Dr. John C. Muyingo on Thursday 25th April 2024 officially launched the inaugural Annual Forum for Graduate Research and Policy Dialogue as well as the Research Information Management System (RIMS). Organised under the theme “Regional Integration and Development”, the two-day event being held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility will witness over 70 paper presentations by PhD fellows, Research and Publication opportunities by the Makerere University Press as well as presentations on Mental Health and Wellness.
“I am here because I am coming back home and you are talking a language I love and enjoy. I am also here to confirm Government’s commitment to support Makerere’s efforts to become a research-led University,” reassured Hon. Dr. Muyingo as he commenced his remarks.
Addressing the event theme, Hon. Dr. Muyingo underscored the importance of regional integration as a cornerstone of Uganda’s aspirations for a brighter future, noting that it is through cohesive efforts and shared endeavours that the region can overcome numerous challenges and unlock its full potential for growth and development.
He pointed out that higher education and research play a pivotal role in driving regional integration and development, and called upon scholars and researchers to play their respective roles. “Your pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence holds the promise of transformative change, serving as a catalyst for innovation, progress, and inclusive growth.”
Hon. Dr. Muyingo expressed the Government of Uganda’s appreciation of the strides made by Makerere University in as far as conducting research that informs national development priorities. He therefore applauded the two-day Annual Forum for Graduate Research and Policy Dialogue and launch of RIMS not only as milestones in graduate training but also platforms that will make the institution’s research more visible to government, funding agencies, research partners and other stakeholders.
He nevertheless reiterated the need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) such as Makerere “to play a more practical role in engaging the policy space and contribute to nurturing a policy environment receptive to evidence-based solutions.”
Delivering the first keynote of the two-day event, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressly thanked Hon. Dr. Muyingo for presiding over a second event at Makerere in less than a week. On 19th April 2024, he represented the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Museveni, at the launch of the Digitalisation of Academic Records and Processes (DARP) project.
In the same measure, Prof. Nawangwe thanked the Government of Uganda substantially tackling the chronic shortage of funds for research by instituting the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). “With the money that Government is giving us, we have changed the research landscape of Makerere tremendously.
“Additionally, we have with the help of UNDP established a state-of-the-art Innovation Pod. We have put in place an office specializing in Intellectual Property and they are doing a great job; they have already registered several copyrights and applied for several patents” he added.
The Vice Chancellor nevertheless regretted the timing of ongoing budget cuts which are likely to affect funding for research. Noting that we are in the era of the knowledge economy where those in the know get ahead of those who are not, he reiterated that it is Nations such as China that have prioritised knowledge production through funding of Higher Education and research that are making leaps economically.
“If Africa is going to industrialise, we must produce more PhDs because no amount of foreign direct investment is going to industrialise Africa. Africa will be industrialised by the small and medium enterprises, which will come mostly out of research by PhD and Masters students, and a few undergraduate students – the Kiira Motors came from undergraduate students” explained Prof. Nawangwe.
Citing the presentations made during the opening ceremony by Mr. Erick Jacob Okek on Immunological and parasitological impact of co-deployment of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and bed nets for malarial mosquito vector control in Uganda and Ms. Adella Grace Migisha on Environmental influences on electricity reliability in Uganda’s grid system, Prof. Nawangwe emphasised that PhD students are addressing pertinent issues and ought to be supported by the Government.
“Let us put our heads together and see how best to unlock the potential of Makerere University. There is so much potential here that we are not utilising as a country, and we need to unlock it to the letter” summed up the Vice Chancellor.
In line with contributing to unlocking Makerere’s potential, the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Prof. Edward Bbaale said that the Annual Forum provides a platform to showcase the potential of graduate research as a driver for socioeconomic transformation. “Additionally, it serves to enhance the capacity of graduate students to engage effectively in policy dialogues and debates.”
Prof. Bbaale reiterated DRGT’s commitment to augmenting the skills of graduate scholars in policy engagement and communication as part of their doctoral research and education toolkit, owing to the impact these graduates have. “There is now evidence that return on investment in Higher Education is higher than the return on investment in lower education and hence Government is encouraged to support graduate training through scholarships and loan schemes.”
Citing the Makerere University Policy on Establishment of Research Institutes and Institutions, Prof. Bbaale said that DRGT is encouraging the growth of research groups into dynamic hubs such as research units, centres, institutes and centres of excellence. Furthermore, and in respect of packaging and marketing of research output as enshrined in the Makerere University Strategic Plan, he added that the multidisciplinary Makerere Innovation Pod is poised to foster creativity, innovation and collaboration among students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
On the need for scholars and researchers to publish works in books and journals, Prof. Bbaale put forth the Makerere University Press as an avenue for disseminating new knowledge across the various disciplines. “I would like to implore all faculty and students to use the press as a publishing house and promote our works.”
Developed by the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) with funding from Mak-RIF, the Research Information Management System (RIMS) was unveiled at the Forum as digital solution to track the graduate student journey, report every stage of progress, centrally manage research produced by students, and streamline the graduation process. Addressing the Forum, the Academic Registrar and Principal Investigator RIMS, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi noted that the system is going to Makerere enhance its visibility as a research-led university.
“The architecture of RIMS has seven modules that include: Masters and PhD research; Postdoctoral research; Dissemination, Conferences and Seminars; Research Innovations; Inventory of Senior Researchers; International Collaborations; and e-Supervision” shared Prof. Buyinza.
He added that the system will not only enhance student tracking but also e-Supervision and thesis management through a simple easy-to-use dashboard. “It is a moment of joy that we are transiting from the manual system to an online digital platform. This will enhance efficiency, and completion rates will be assured.”
Providing a background to RIMS, the Director DICTS, Mr. Samuel Paul Mugabi noted that the ongoing development and launch of various Information Systems at Makerere University is as a result of a strategic shift by the leadership from outsourcing to solving challenges related to business processes digitalisation through in-house development.
RIMS was developed by a team made up of Mr. Juma Katongole, Mr. Joshua Muhumuza and Mr. Denis Wamala. The latter who presented on behalf of his colleagues demonstrated how the e-Supervision module can be used to track a scholar’s progress right from the conceptual stage right to the dissertation and defence. He added that the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) will pilot the RIMS rollout.
The President PhD Fellows at Makerere University (Pf@Mak), Ms. Clare Cheromoi in her opening remarks said that the lineup of paper presentations would at the end of the two-day Forum clearly demonstrate to the public that PhDs remain highly relevant to addressing the challenges in the country. She observed that Makerere has created the supportive environment through avenues such as the Annual Forum for PhD fellows to collectively address national development priorities.
She thanked the University Management and Annual Forum organisers led by the Chairperson Prof. Julius Kikooma for their support in making the event a success. In particular, the President Pf@Mak thanked the Vice Chancellor for maintaining an open-door policy that has enabled Student Leaders to share their ideas. In appreciation the Pf@Mak Leadership presented a book How to Lead Smart People: Leadership for Professionals to Prof. Nawangwe.
The Forum was moderated by the Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ritah Namisango, while the Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF) kept guests entertained.
Book of Abstracts
Presentations from the Opening Ceremony
Health
Mak Staff Receive Prestigious International “Future of the Field” Recognition in Global Research Administration Class of 2026.
General
Institutionalizing ORCID at Makerere University: Strengthening Researcher Identification, Visibility and Research Output Tracking
The Unit-Based ORCID Sensitization and System Capture of Researcher Identification Workshop was held on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, commencing at 9:00 a.m. at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building, Makerere University. The workshop was facilitated by the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU).
The workshop was opened by Prof. Robert Wamala – Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP). In his remarks, Prof. Wamala emphasised the importance of ORCID in strengthening researcher identification, improving the visibility and discoverability of Makerere University‘s research outputs, and ensuring accurate attribution of scholarly contributions.
Prof. Wamala highlighted the need to move beyond individual ORCID registration towards systematic institutional adoption, including the accurate capture and validation of researchers’ ORCID identifiers in relevant University information systems. He underscored the importance of coordinated implementation at unit level, recognising the critical roles of College Librarians, Library staff and the Directorate of Graduate Training in supporting ORCID adoption among academic staff, researchers and graduate students.
Prof. Wamala appreciated RENU for facilitating the engagement and encouraged participants to translate the knowledge gained into practical action within their respective units. The workshop marked an important step in Makerere University‘s efforts to strengthen researcher identification, improve research visibility and enhance the institutional management and tracking of scholarly outputs.
The opening session also featured remarks from the University Librarian Prof. Ruth Nalumaga and Dr. Cyprian Misinde, the Director of Quality Assurance, who underscored the importance of ORCID in strengthening research visibility, scholarly communication and institutional research information management. Their contributions highlighted the need for collaboration across the Library, Quality Assurance, Graduate Training and DRIP to support effective ORCID adoption and integration into University processes.
The workshop provided an opportunity to sensitise participants on ORCID and strengthen their capacity to support its adoption and system capture within their respective units. The participation of College Librarians, Library staff and the Directorate of Graduate Training was particularly strategic in supporting researchers and graduate students to establish and maintain their ORCID profiles.
The workshop was attended by College Librarians and Library Staff; Representatives from the Directorate of Graduate Training; Directorate of Quality Assurance and the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships. Their participation was intended to strengthen awareness, institutional coordination and practical support for ORCID adoption across the University.
The engagement, marked a collaborative step towards institutionalizing ORCID at Makerere University and strengthening the University’s capacity to identify, track and showcase its research contributions globally.
Natural Sciences
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi Wins Charles Wambebe Innovation Award, Named Best Oral Presenter at APSS 2026 South Africa
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi, a Senior Lecturer at the College of Natural Sciences, has earned international recognition after winning First Place in the Charles Wambebe Innovation Award – Academic Category and receiving an Honourable Mention for Best Oral Presenter at the 3rd International Congress of the African Phytomedicine Scientific Society (APSS 2026), held at The Capital, Zimbali Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The congress brought together researchers, academics and industry stakeholders to discuss advances in medicinal-plant research, phytomedicine and natural product development. The event provided an international platform for showcasing African scientific research and exploring ways of translating indigenous knowledge and biodiversity into practical innovations.
In addition to the two recognitions, Dr. Nabatanzi was invited to deliver a keynote address, highlighting her contribution to research on African medicinal plants and their potential nutraceutical applications.
First Place in the Charles Wambebe Innovation Award: Honouring a legacy in African phytomedicine
The most significant recognition was winning First Place in the Charles Wambebe Innovation Award – Academic Category. The award is named in honour of the late Professor Charles Obadiah Nimma Wambebe (1946–2022), a distinguished Nigerian pharmacologist whose work made significant contributions to the advancement of African phytomedicine. Professor Wambebe was a pioneer in the scientific investigation and development of medicines from African medicinal plants. He championed the integration of indigenous medical knowledge with rigorous scientific research, demonstrating the potential of African biodiversity to contribute to pharmaceutical innovation.
One of his most notable contributions was his role in the development of Niprisan, a standardised plant-derived formulation researched for the management of sickle cell disorder. This work became an important example of translating traditional medicinal-plant knowledge into a scientifically investigated phytomedicine. He also served as the founding Director-General of Nigeria’s National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), contributing to pharmaceutical research, development and scientific capacity building. His achievements earned him international recognition, including The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Award in Medical Sciences.
Of particular significance to Makerere University, Professor Wambebe also served as an Honorary Professor of Pharmacology at the University. This connection makes the recognition especially meaningful to the institution and to a Makerere academic whose work is similarly committed to exploring the scientific and practical value of medicinal plants. The award celebrates the legacy of a scientist who believed in the capacity of African researchers to transform indigenous knowledge and natural resources into scientifically investigated products. It recognises innovation in the development of phytopharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products, particularly research that progresses beyond academic investigation towards practical applications.
Winning First Place in this category is therefore an important distinction. It recognises not simply an idea, but the research, development and innovation behind a product with potential for wider application and commercialisation.
The award-winning innovation: From botanical research to cosmeceutical products
The innovation presented at APSS 2026 was developed through Aurene Aura, a science-led skincare brand founded by Dr. Nabatanzi.
Two flagship products featured in the innovation presentation were:
- Aurene Cera Anti-Aging Cream
- Aurene Glow Lotion
The product-development work brings together phytomedicine research, formulation development and product evaluation. The selected plants include Panax ginseng roots, Centella asiatica leaves, Glycyrrhiza glabra roots and Kigelia africana fruits. The research has involved bioactivity evaluation of the plants used in the formulations, alongside extensive investigation of Kigelia africana fruits (LC-MS, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity) to explore their potential as a source of bioactive compounds for cosmeceutical applications. The formulations combine selected botanical ingredients with established cosmetic actives. Product evaluation has included physicochemical assessment, with recorded pH values of approximately 5.5 ± 0.2 for Aurene Cera and 5.6 ± 0.1 for Aurene Glow.
The innovation demonstrates how academic research can inform locally developed cosmeceutical products and create opportunities for value addition, entrepreneurship and commercialisation. It also highlights the potential of African plant resources in a competitive global skincare industry.
A special book presented alongside the award
As part of the First Place innovation award presentation, Dr. Nabatanzi also received a special gift: Aquatic Plants: Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications, edited by Professor Namrita Lall.
The book explores the pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications of aquatic plants, making it a particularly fitting gift in recognition of research and innovation centred on the potential of natural resources.
Honourable Mention for Best Oral Presenter
In addition to the innovation award, Dr. Nabatanzi received an Honourable Mention for Best Oral Presenter. This recognition acknowledged the scientific presentation and its communication to an international audience. It highlights the importance of not only conducting relevant research but also presenting scientific findings effectively and contributing to international academic discourse.
Keynote address: African Medicinal Plants in Oncology – Exploring Their Nutraceutical Potentials
Dr. Nabatanzi also delivered a keynote address titled:
“Oncology Medicinal Plants and Their Nutraceutical Values in Africa: A Comprehensive Overview and Case Study of Kigelia africana and Spathodea campanulata.”
The presentation examined the scientific and nutritional relevance of African medicinal plants, focusing on Kigelia africana and Spathodea campanulata. It explored the importance of investigating plant-derived bioactive compounds and their potential nutraceutical applications, while emphasising the need for rigorous scientific evidence in evaluating their properties and possible health benefits. The keynote contributed to discussions on the value of African biodiversity, the scientific investigation of indigenous plant resources and the opportunities for African researchers to advance research in phytomedicine and nutraceutical science.
Dr. Nabatanzi’s participation as a keynote speaker is featured on the official APSS 2026 speakers’ page. View: APSS 2026 Official Speakers’ Page
Advancing Makerere University‘s research and innovation agenda
The achievements at APSS 2026 demonstrate the contribution of Makerere University researchers to international scientific engagement and the development of innovations informed by African biodiversity. The First Place Charles Wambebe Innovation Award is particularly significant because it connects contemporary research and product development with the legacy of a scientist who championed African-led pharmaceutical innovation and had an academic association with Makerere University. For Dr. Nabatanzi, the recognitions affirm the importance of research that bridges scientific investigation, effective communication and practical innovation. They also provide encouragement to emerging African scientists to explore the potential of local natural resources, strengthen scientific evidence and pursue research that can contribute to new products, enterprises and solutions for society. The achievements reflect Makerere University‘s commitment to research excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship and global engagement, while reinforcing the importance of translating academic knowledge into meaningful impact.
Makerere University congratulates Dr. Alice Nabatanzi on these achievements and celebrates her contribution to advancing African scientific research and innovation.
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