General
Address the quality of Higher Education degrees and their relevance to Africa
By Maureen Agena and Agaba Issa Mugabo
RUFORUM, a vibrant organisation of 170 universities in 40 countries across Africa hosted by the Government of Uganda at Makerere University since 2004 is celebrating its 20th anniversary on the margins of its second Triennial conference currently underway in Windhoek, Namibia.
The Regional Universities for Capacity building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) seeks to facilitate the creation of ‘Vibrant transformative universities catalysing sustainable inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa’. The Second triennial conference which is hosted by the Government of Namibia and RUFORUM member Universities in Namibia, is taking place from 12-16 August, 2024 under the theme “Operationalising Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialisation, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action.”
Represented by different universities spanning the globe, Vice Chancellors, Deans and Principals, University registrars, policy-makers, researchers, scientists and student have gathered in Namibia to discuss ways of transforming agriculture in Africa through innovative scientific research, educational and training approaches.
The Minister of Higher Education, training and innovation of the Republic of Namibia, Hon. Dr. Itah Kandjii Murangi on behalf of the President H.E. Nangolo Mbumba, officially opened the Second RUFORUM Triennial Conference on 12 August 2024.
The Minister who noted that the conference theme calls for immediate action to secure the posterity of our continent, warned against existing climate change and increased weather variability that is already with us and affecting agriculture, which in Namibia employs 70% of the population and is a provider of their livelihoods. She called upon the scientists to ensure that Africa is not just a consumer of science knowledge and products but a generator of solutions that will help humanity thrive on this planet. And to achieve that, she advised that Science, Technology and Innovation must be at the forefront of every initiative
While speaking on behalf of all visiting African Ministers of Higher Education at the official opening of the conference, Hon. Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo underscored the value of enhancing agriculture education, skills development and knowledge support, noting the urgent need for curriculum reform and skills development to combat graduate unemployment as industry increasingly indicates that graduates do not have the skills that they are looking for. To overcome the situation, he proposed that the quality of higher degree programmes and their relevance to Africa’s challenges must be addressed. Agricultural education, he noted, will be critical to enhance the quality of employment and ensure inclusive growth.
The Minister also highlighted the core value of Science, Technology and innovation as a formidable tool for achieving Agenda 2063, “the Africa We Want” of a people driven inclusive prosperity, peace and integration, and that quality education has been emphasized as a pre-requisite for economic and social development to advance Africa’s position in the global knowledge economy.
In Uganda, RUFORUM member universities include; Bishop Stuart University, Bugema University, Busitema University, Gulu University, Islamic University in Uganda, Kabale University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Makerere University, Muni University, Ndejje University, Soroti University, Uganda Christian University, Uganda Martyrs University and Uganda Technology and Management University. RUFORUM is a vibrant organization with a strategic MoU with the African Union Commission to implement priority area one of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2024).
Since its establishment, RUFORUM has supported the training of over 2,909 students (2,053 MSc, 627 PhD, and 229 Bachelors Students) from all over Africa, in different African Universities as part of building Africa’s Capacity for Capacity Development and promoting pan-Africanism, of whom 98% work in their countries or region. These efforts, apart from Human Capital Development, have contributed to knowledge generation and community impact. Some of the products of RUFORUM supported research, such as two soybean varieties developed in Uganda are now being grown throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. RUFORUM has also targeted strengthening capacity of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in Uganda, Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan and Sudan among others.
RUFORUM has also mobilized over US$236 million for African Universities that is channeled through Uganda to the various countries for strengthening postgraduate education in Africa. For Uganda specifically, RUFORUM has contributed over US$50.5 million to Uganda through research, scholarships and institutional support to universities in Uganda. Most of the support went to Makerere University, and more recently to Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Uganda Martyr’s University.
The triennial also kick started the second phase of a Mastercard Foundation supported project on “Transforming African Agricultural Universities to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s growth and development” (TAGDev 2.0), a program that seeks to strengthen universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to drive inclusive, equitable and climate resilient transformation of agriculture and agrifood systems through experiential learning, skilling and empowering of Africa’s young people.
In his presentation at the opening ceremony of the Triennial Conference, the Executive Secretary RUFORUM, Prof. Patrick Okori noted that TAGDev 2.0 has to-date, under the expanded work and other livelihood opportunities for young women and men result area, empowered beneficiaries to run profitable enterprises and create work opportunities for themselves and others. Furthermore, under the improved adaptive agricultural production and productivity of focus value chains in target countries, he reported that TAGDev 2.0 has enabled smallholder farmers to access and utilize climate adaptive technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs).
And thirdly, under the strengthened quality of higher agricultural education outcomes within the ecosystem result area, Prof. Okori shared that TAGDev 2.0 has improved coordination among actors in the delivery of transformative and inclusive training, research and innovation by universities and TVETs.
The first Triennial was successfully held in Cotonou, Benin in 2021. This Year’s theme is a response to the urgent needs for the African governments, development partners, private sector and citizenry to take action, to invest in higher education to underpin the continent’s urgent development needs in an inclusive and sustainable way.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged newly admitted postgraduate diploma and master’s students to take ownership of their academic journey, produce knowledge that addresses Africa’s challenges and use their training to create opportunities for society.
The call was made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the orientation of postgraduate diploma and master’s students held at the Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University. The orientation was conducted under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Graduate Training to Transform Africa’s Research Trajectory.”
Addressing the students, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said admission to postgraduate education marked an important transition from undergraduate study and should come with greater independence, critical thinking and responsibility.
“Postgraduate study is not just the accumulation of knowledge. You are now active researchers, critical thinkers and creators of your own knowledge,” Prof. Ssali said.
She said postgraduate training should enable students to deepen their expertise, strengthen their analytical abilities and develop solutions to real-world problems.
“Through your projects, dissertations, innovations and professional practice, you have the opportunity to contribute knowledge that can influence policies, improve services and transform lives. Your research matters, and your contribution matters,” she said.
Prof. Ssali urged students to see their studies beyond the pursuit of a degree, encouraging them to ask themselves why they had chosen postgraduate education and what contribution they intended to make to their communities and professions.
“See your coursework as an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that will help you propose new solutions to real-world challenges,” she said.
She also encouraged students to embrace collaboration with communities and non-academic partners, saying many of them were already coming to the University with professional and community experiences that could enrich their research.
“Don’t think that your scholarship is only for those who look academic. Embrace community, embrace networks,” she said.
Prof. Ssali further cautioned the students against wasting time, noting that many postgraduate students have employment, family and other responsibilities alongside their studies.
“Make the most of your time and don’t waste it,” she said, urging students to use available study time productively even when there are changes in their lecture schedules.
She also emphasised the need for students to take responsibility for their progress instead of waiting for lecturers or supervisors to push them.
“Postgraduate education requires independence, independent inquiry, independent research, independent interrogation and also active participation,” Prof. Ssali said.
Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training, told the students that their admission was a significant achievement given the large number of applicants seeking postgraduate opportunities at Makerere.
“We received over 12,000 applications to our postgraduate programmes, but we are only able to take just a small percentage of that. That means you are just the few people who are able to do this,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He urged the new students to appreciate the opportunity and understand that graduate education carries responsibilities beyond attending lectures and completing examinations.
According to Prof. Kikooma, Uganda and Africa require highly trained human capital capable of driving national and continental development priorities.
“The country needs more highly trained people if it is going to achieve its aspirations and priorities for national development,” he said.
He challenged the students to consider what Uganda and Africa would look like in the coming decades and to question whether the continent would continue relying on ideas, innovations and creations generated elsewhere.
“Will it still be a country that always depends on ideas, innovations and creations that come from outside?” he asked, before urging the students to become part of the generation that develops home-grown solutions.
Prof. Kikooma said much of what Uganda would need in the future would depend on what the country invests in today, particularly in human capital and research.
He also explained that the Directorate of Graduate Training works with colleges, schools, departments and central University units to strengthen the quality of graduate education.
“We want to make sure that what you are taking away from here is of a certain quality,” he said, adding that the University has established policies, standards and systems intended to create an environment in which postgraduate students can succeed.
However, Prof. Kikooma stressed that the University cannot take responsibility for the entire academic journey on behalf of students.
“We will not replace your programme. We will not replace your lecturers. We will not replace your supervisors. Each of those has a different role to play along your journey,” he said.
He encouraged students to be proactive by understanding their programmes, colleges and the various support services available to them.
“Successful graduates tend to be proactive rather than reactive. So don’t wait until you have a problem, then you start running from it,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He further urged the students to work within the stipulated programme period, noting that most master’s programmes take about two years while postgraduate diploma programmes generally take one year.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, urged the newly admitted students to use their graduate training to produce knowledge capable of addressing challenges facing their communities, Uganda and Africa.
He challenged them to move beyond consuming knowledge generated elsewhere and instead become producers of knowledge and solutions.
Prof. Wamala emphasised the importance of connecting research to society, innovation and professional practice, encouraging students to identify problems within their workplaces and communities that could become areas for meaningful research.
He said Africa needed researchers capable of generating evidence, innovations and practical solutions to support development rather than simply importing solutions from other parts of the world.
The Director encouraged the students to build collaborative networks during their studies and to regard the University as an ecosystem in which researchers, professionals, communities and other partners can work together.
Dr. Kizito Ongaya, Deputy University Librarian, introduced the students to Makerere’s extensive library and information resources, urging them to make the library a central part of their postgraduate studies.
He said the University Library operates a hybrid system combining physical collections with electronic resources.
“We have over 200,000 types of books in our library, with 45 e-journal databases,” Dr. Ongaya said.
He encouraged students to make use of the University’s electronic databases, noting that substantial resources are invested in providing access to scholarly journals.
“If you don’t use e-journals, you are unacceptable,” he told the students, emphasising that postgraduate research requires extensive engagement with scholarly literature.
Dr. Ongaya also highlighted the University’s archival collections, specialised libraries and information centres located across its colleges.
He said students would be guided on how to access both physical and electronic resources and encouraged them to explore specialised collections that could support their individual research areas.
Dr. Mike Barongo, Team Leader ICT, Department of the Academic Registrar, told the new students that Makerere had increasingly digitised its academic and administrative processes and urged them to complete their online registration as an immediate priority.
He said students could access their provisional admission letters through the online application system and use the student number provided to activate their student portals.
“The student portal is very, very critical,” Dr. Barongo said.
He explained that students must enrol and register in order to access key University services, including institutional email and Wi-Fi.
“Once you enroll, you create an institutional email address. That institutional email address is the gateway for you to access so many things, like Wi-Fi,” he said.
Dr. Barongo also informed students that ICT support centres were available to assist those experiencing challenges with enrolment, registration or access to digital services.
He urged students to ensure they enrol and register every semester so that the University systems can accurately capture their academic and financial information.
Others senior members in attendance include the Deputy University Bursar Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba and Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged its newly admitted PhD students to go beyond pursuing academic qualifications and become independent scholars capable of generating knowledge, solving societal problems and contributing to Africa’s transformation.
The call was made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, during the orientation of the 2026/2027 PhD cohort at Makerere University’s Main Hall in the Main Building on 10th August 2026.
Prof. Ssali told the new scholars that a PhD marks a fundamental shift from previous levels of education, requiring students to take greater responsibility for their academic progress rather than depending entirely on lecturers and supervisors.
“You will have to push yourself and also push your supervisor to move with you,” Prof. Ssali said, urging the students to take ownership of their doctoral journey.
She acknowledged that many PhD students have to balance their studies with employment, family responsibilities and community leadership, making doctoral training demanding. However, she urged them to remain focused on completing their programmes within the prescribed three, four or five years.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere expects its doctoral training to produce scholars who can create knowledge, challenge existing ideas and develop solutions to societal problems.
She encouraged the students to embrace ambiguity and become comfortable questioning what they already know, noting that doctoral education requires scholars to identify important questions, investigate them and generate answers that advance knowledge.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also urged the students to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and scholarly networks rather than confining their research to their individual disciplines.
She said the success of doctoral education should not be measured merely by the number of dissertations completed or papers published, but by the extent to which research contributes to society.
With Africa facing complex challenges, including climate change, disease, population growth and development pressures, Prof. Ssali said PhD scholars have a responsibility to generate evidence that can influence policy, strengthen institutions and advance innovation.
She challenged each scholar to continually ask what problem their research addresses, what solution it advances and whether that solution can create sustainable value.
The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, said the new cohort was joining Makerere at a time when the University is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening graduate education and improving completion rates.
Prof. Kikooma revealed that Makerere received close to 12,000 applications across its master’s, postgraduate and PhD programmes but admitted about 6,000 students.
He said graduate education has been placed at the centre of the University’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and prepare scholars to contribute to knowledge production and innovation.
Under the reforms, PhD students will undertake compulsory cross-cutting courses designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for doctoral research. They will also be required to undertake teaching in either their second or third year under the guidance of their supervisors.
In addition to completing their theses, students will be required to produce at least two publications before graduation, a requirement intended to prepare them to become the next generation of researchers, innovators, inventors and creators.
Makerere has also introduced a digital system to monitor the progress of every PhD student each semester. The system is intended to enable students, supervisors and university officials to identify challenges early and intervene in real time.
Prof. Kikooma urged the scholars to write regularly, think critically, maintain open and constructive relationships with their supervisors and protect their academic integrity and professional reputation.
He also encouraged them to build scholarly networks and remain resilient, noting that rejected papers, disappointing data and unexpected challenges are normal aspects of doctoral training.
The Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, challenged the scholars to ensure that the knowledge they produce is trustworthy, responsible and ethically sound.
Prof. Wamala emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity, rights, safety and autonomy of research participants, particularly where studies involve individuals, communities and personal information.
He highlighted informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice and accountability as critical principles of ethical research and urged students to maintain transparency throughout the research process, from developing research questions and collecting data to analyzing and reporting findings.
Prof. Wamala also cautioned the students on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
He said although AI can assist researchers with activities such as language improvement, it does not remove the researcher’s responsibility for the final product.
Researchers, he said, must verify AI-generated information and remain accountable for inaccurate statements, misleading interpretations and incorrect references.
He further urged students involved in international and other research collaborations to establish clear agreements on roles, authorship, data ownership, access and intellectual property before commencing their research.
The Deputy University Librarian, Dr. Kizito Ongaya, meanwhile, urged the new scholars to make full use of Makerere’s library and information resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Dr. Ongaya said the University operates a hybrid library system combining physical and electronic resources, with more than 200,000 books, 45 e-journal databases and over 16,000 archival materials available to researchers.
He encouraged the students to participate in library training to learn how to access and effectively use electronic resources and to explore specialized libraries and information centers across the University’s colleges.
These include resources covering natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health sciences, education and humanities, as well as museums, botanical gardens, specialized collections and other research facilities.
The newly admitted doctoral students were also addressed by Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Deputy University Bursar and members of Makerere University Convocation.
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