In Press

ARUA and WUN to forge equitable research partnership

Published

1 year ago

May 30, 2024

Mak Editor

Professors Ernest Aryeetey (left) and Peter Lennie at the historic first joint meeting of the African Research Universities Alliance and the Worldwide Universities Network in South Africa on 22 May 2024, Image provided

_{By Desmond Thompson}

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), jointly representing nearly 50 leading universities on six continents, are moving closer to each other.

The two organisations each held their own annual meetings in South Africa last week, but came together for the first time ever on the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria (UP) on 22 May 2024.

The main issue on the agenda was equitable research collaboration to tackle shared global challenges. Human capacity development emerged as a top priority for both organisations.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the vice-chancellor of Makerere University, said there is a positive change towards decolonising research practices and fostering more balanced partnerships.

Related Topics:ARUA collaboration Decolonization equitable Global Challenges Research WUN

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In Press

Climate change puts Uganda’s trade future at risk

Published

3 days ago

August 18, 2025

Mak Editor

Dr. Peter Babyenda, Post Doc Researcher. Environment for Development (EfD) initiative at Makerere University inception workshop for two-year research project aimed at studying energy demand and efficiency among Ugandan households and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), supported by a $30,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation under the CECAP program, 14th May 2025, EfD Conference Room, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

_{By Dr. Peter Babyenda}

Uganda’s growing integration into regional and global markets is facing a serious threat from climate change, according to a new study examining the country’s trade performance between 1990 and 2023. The study reveals that rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns are undermining export capacity, damaging vital infrastructure, and pushing up the cost of trade.

The writer is a Research Fellow, Lecturer and Policy Engagement Coordinator at EfD-Mak Centre, School of Economics, CoBAMS, Makerere University; Email: pbabyenda@gmail.com

In Press

The crisis of impressions in Uganda

Published

3 months ago

May 26, 2025

Mak Editor

Assoc. Prof. Mike Ibrahim Okumu officially opening the workshop. Environment for Development (EfD) initiative at Makerere University inception workshop for two-year research project aimed at studying energy demand and efficiency among Ugandan households and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), supported by a $30,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation under the CECAP program, 14th May 2025, EfD Conference Room, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

OKUMU MIKE IBRAHIM | In recent times, I have come to better understand why many frontier organisations such as the Economic Policy Research Center now prefer to observe prospective employees—through internships, consultancy roles, or temporary assignments—before offering permanent contracts. This trend reflects a broader social phenomenon: the rise of impression management, what we locally call kufera. Unfortunately, this culture of appearances has crept into the realm of public service, where form often triumphs over substance, and packaging overshadows the true content of delivery.

In Press

Makerere University celebrates 75th Graduation with 13,658 graduands

Published

7 months ago

January 14, 2025

Mak Editor

Minister Moriku Kadducu and the new University Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga (at the back), during the academic procession at Makerere University. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The week-long 75^th graduation ceremony at Makerere University that entered day two today, celebrates the remarkable achievements of 13,658 graduands. Among them, 143 will receive PhDs, 1,813 will graduate with Master’s degrees, 11,454 will earn Bachelor’s degrees, and 243 will be awarded postgraduate diplomas.

Among the graduands is opposition chief whip John Baptist Nambeshe, who this Friday, 17^th Jan 2025 graduates with a Masters of Arts in Social Sector Planning & Management from Makerere University. His research was on exploring stakeholders’ perspectives on traffic congestion in Kampala City.

Also completing a Master’s Degree is State Minister for ICT Kabbyanga Godfrey Baluku.