General
AAP Delegation meets Mak Management: Commits to strengthening partnerships and building strong research institutions in Africa
On Tuesday 10th September 2024, a powerful delegation from the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) held a strategic meeting with Makerere University Management aimed at strengthening partnerships and building a strong research network on the African continent.
Both parties underscored the need to tap into internationalization of higher education, building global students through co-teaching, digitization of education and learning different cultures, leveraging on existing competencies in member institutions to raise the research profile in Africa, as well as conducting trainings and mentorship programmes to empower researchers to acquire relevant and competitive skills and knowledge aligned to the demands of the research environment.
The call to action for AAP Consortium Members focuses on ensuring that the valuable research networks contribute to research impact, which entails research uptake so that research benefits communities in Africa.
About AAP and the Meeting
Founded by Michigan State University (MSU) in 2016 in collaboration with African colleagues, the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) is a consortium of 10 leading African universities, a distinguished research network for African research institutes, and Michigan State University (MSU) that builds on MSU’s over 60-year history of collaborating with African institutions. Its goal is to co-create innovative solutions to global challenges with its members working collaboratively with other international partners to transform lives in Africa.
This year, Makerere University– a member of AAP hosted the AAP Consortium Meeting from 9th to 11th September 2024. As part of this agenda, a strategic meeting involving AAP Consortium participants and Makerere University Management was scheduled. The aim of the meeting was to have a focused and interactive discussion on deepening collaboration in areas of interest namely research, teaching and learning, research funding opportunities, winning and attracting research grants, and re-committing to the AAP Priority areas.
The AAP Priority Areas include: Education; Agri-food systems; Water, Energy and Environment; Youth Empowerment; Health and Nutrition; Science, Technology and Innovation; Gender and Inclusion; and Culture and Society.
The Mak-MSU Strategic Meeting
Highlighting that AAP, Michigan State University and Makerere University have been working together for long time, Dr. Amy Jamison, Co-Director, AAP said the strategic meeting presented an opportunity to anchor the spirit of partnership across the different colleges and disciplines.
“We are here at Makerere University to strengthen our partnership, re-commit to working together and to ensure that Makerere University leadership across the Colleges are aware of the AAP work.”
To supplement this submission, Dr. Jose Jackson another Co-Director emphasized that AAP facilitates research growth among consortium members, presents mentorship opportunities and has special programmes targeting early career researchers.
Prof. Titus Awokuse, Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships, International Studies and Programs, MSU stated that AAP provides a platform to develop research of faculty through provision of mentorship opportunities to early career faculty on how to publish their research in internationally recognized journals and how to apply for external grant funding. He further urged Makerere University to harness its leadership of the higher education sector to remain at the forefront of advocating for research.
The Vice Chancellor’s Remarks
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe also Chair of the AAP Advisory Board welcomed the delegates to the special session with Management. He articulated that the work of AAP is aligned to the internationalization agenda of the University and its strategic direction of being a research-led institution.
Prof. Nawangwe asserted that through enhanced research collaboration, AAP and Makerere University will continue to provide evidence based solutions to the development challenges in Africa.
“Through the AAP, we are convinced that we will be strong in building valuable research networks in Africa and be in position to respond to the World Bank recommendation of producing 100,000 PhDs in Africa in the near future,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Sharing his lived experience with the AAP delegates, Prof. Nawangwe explained that the world expects research from universities to impact their day to day lives. He then revealed a question that he was asked during one of the engagements with the Government of Uganda. “If we have a number of people with PhDs, why are Ugandans still suffering from hunger?” Prof. Nawangwe who admitted that this question still challenges him to-date, underscored the need for PhDs that contribute to the transformation of the agricultural sector. He added that research networks such as the RUFORUM and AAP are empowering researchers and faculty to respond to this question and solve the puzzle.
Responding to the discussion on research impact and the need for Makerere to be at the forefront of advocating for research, the Vice Chancellor informed the AAP delegates that the University is committed to leveraging the power of research to contribute to the transformation of lives on the African continent. “To realize this agenda, the University Strategic Plan provides a platform to transform into a research-led institution. Consequently, restructuring of university processes is being undertaken to feed into the research led agenda,” he stated.
On strengthening Makerere’s Research, Grant Writing and Publication Capacity, the Vice Chancellor explained that the University Writing Centre has been institutionalized to provide the required support. Makerere University is implementing this project in collaboration with Michigan State University’s Writing Centre and AAP.
With the AAP bringing on board 10 universities in Africa, the Vice Chancellor informed the delegates about the Makerere University Rotary Peace Centre. This first Rotary Peace Center on the African Continent offers Postgraduate Diploma in Peace-building, Conflict Transformation, and Development under the Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Program.
Championing Innovation through the Mak UniPod
In line with the AAP Youth Empowerment Priority area, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that the Makerere University Innovations Pod had been set up with support from UNDP. The Pod, he added, presents students and young people with an opportunity to think, innovate and incubate ideas into businesses and enterprises, thereby empowering them to become job creators, innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Chairperson of the Steering Committee of Mak Innovations Pod, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga further explained that the Mak UniPod is a dynamic physical hub and cultural melting pot that fosters innovation among students, faculty, and external individuals, regardless of their academic backgrounds. She went on to add that it provides a supportive environment where participants can tap into their creative potential to develop solutions.
Prof. Nabanoga elaborated that whether through individual exploration or collaborative efforts across various academic disciplines, the Mak UniPod promotes effective ideation through programs that are designed to systematically encourage regular co-creation of innovative solutions to societal challenges. “The Mak UniPod cultivates a vibrant ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration within the university community and beyond” she summed up.
Members of Management have their say
The University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda disclosed that through benchmarking AAP and its partners, Makerere University has operationalised its Grants Management Policy, and established the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU). The policy and structures, he noted have been central in providing a framework for attracting and winning research grants.
The Vice Chancellor then invited Members of Makerere University Management to share some experiences and success stories aligned to the Mak-AAP-MSU partnership.
The Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), Prof. Frank Mwiine urged the participants to tap into youth empowerment, which is one of the AAP priority areas. Prof. Mwiine advocated for student exchanges and mobility among AAP Member institutions so that students are exposed to different learning environments, technologies and cultures.
With regard to the Gender and Inclusion priority area, Ms Susan Mbabazi highlighted that the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming continues to champion for gender equity, women empowerment and access to higher education. She also informed the meeting that the Directorate holds sensitization meetings and trainings for staff and students aimed at fighting against gender based violence. She particularly pointed out zero tolerance to sexual harassment, and explained that the Directorate implements the Makerere University Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment. She expressed readiness of GMD to work with AAP to contribute to the Gender and Inclusion priority area.
In the area of human rights, the Deputy Principal at the School of Law Dr. Zahara Nampewo shared that the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), a semi-autonomous centre of the School of Law, created in 1993 conducts research and advocacy in the area of human rights. HURIPEC, she added, publishes a bi-annual journal, the East African Journal on Peace and Human Rights, and has led many rights and governance related projects over the years. A notable and on-going initiative is a project titled “Charcoal Conflict in Climate Change’s Decarbonisation Dilemmas: Knots of Livelihood, Nutrition, Communities, Gender, Migration and Energy in East Africa”, which is examining the social conflicts that top-down changes to the charcoal value chains in Uganda and Tanzania cause. The project will contribute to the discourse on local processes of transition and options to peaceful and equitable pathways to energy transitions. In her view, this was an area that the AAP could build on especially by widening the interdisciplinary perspectives to this critical issue.
The Vice Chancellor mentioned that the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is one of the academic units at Makerere University that has significantly benefited from the partnership with MSU.
To elaborate this, the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga shared some compelling success stories. She noted that CAES, in collaboration with MSU’s Borlaug Higher Education for Agriculture Research and Development (BHEARD) Program, and with support from MSU’s Global Center for Food Systems Innovation (GCFSI), implemented the CAES Innovation Scholars Program (CAES-ISP). This program provided an opportunity for CAES academic staff to work in interdisciplinary teams to address food system challenges relevant to Africa. Additionally, it supported the CAES leadership in fostering a stronger culture of innovation within the college. The program fostered human-centered design thinking among scholars and also supported scholars to spearhead the institutionalization of the innovation culture in CAES. The Scholars’ program supported eight academic staff participating in a Faculty Track and four academic staff participating in a Top Management Track.
Dr. Julia Kigozi, one of the faculty track scholars, led a project focused on developing innovative technology for medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs) in the food industry. The goal was to enhance Makerere University‘s capacity to support MSMEs by providing low-cost, accessible equipment and infrastructure, enabling them to compete in domestic, regional, and international markets. The project resulted in the design of a batch pasteurizer and pulper tailored to the diverse needs of agro-processors. These technologies offered affordable solutions optimized for individual processors, directly benefiting agro-processors by improving their access to suitable equipment.
Prof. Nabanoga disclosed that the Human-Centered Design thinking introduced by CAES-ISP led to a shift in the training and course delivery approaches at the College from instructor-centered learning to learner-centered, work-integrated training. This approach emphasizes ‘learning through problem-solving,’ ‘curiosity-driven inquiry,’ experiential learning, and ‘theory improvement inquiry,’ with academic staff and industry practitioners serving as facilitators.
Prof. Nabanoga equally shared that CAES is leveraging the Mak UniPod to foster interdisciplinary collaborations between agricultural scientists, environmental experts, and innovators from other fields to develop cutting-edge solutions for food security, climate change, and sustainability challenges. She highlighted that faculty and students are utilizing the Mak UniPod’s design thinking framework to approach complex agricultural problems from a human-centered perspective, integrating technology and local knowledge.
The Mak UniPod serves as a platform for prototyping and testing eco-friendly agricultural practices and products, encouraging hands-on experimentation. By hosting workshops and hackathons focused on agricultural innovation, it engages the CAES community in active problem-solving. Additionally, CAES is using the Mak UniPod to forge partnerships with entrepreneurs and industry professionals, bridging academic research with real-world applications. Further, the Mak UniPod’s collaborative environment promotes the exchange of ideas, enhancing CAES’s role in addressing societal challenges through innovation.
The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and former Director of Research and Graduate Training, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored that since the university is prioritizing the setting up of research centres at the different colleges, the Makerere University Writing Centre will play a pivotal role in strengthening the research capacities and competences of researchers and faculty.
The meeting ended on a high note with participants reflecting on the need to undertake deliberate capacity building programmes targeting units that support research centres/institutes within universities so that they are empowered to deliver as per the expectations.
Discussions conclude on a high
Wrapping up the interactive session, MSI’s Dr. Amy Jamison commended the University Management for the fruitful deliberations and extended an invitation to the University Management members to join the AAP Public Dialogue that was scheduled to begin at 2:00pm that same day at the School of Public Health Auditorium.
General
Stakeholders of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University Convene to Review Progress and Strengthen Collaboration
By Damali Mukhaye
On 9th July 2026, the Mastercard Foundation-supported initiatives at Makerere University convened the 2nd Partnership Development Breakfast meeting at Mestil hotel in Kampala, to review progress, share experiences, and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration and advance education, research, innovation, and youth empowerment.
The partnership development meeting brought together Makerere University leadership, government officials, Mastercard Foundation representatives, development partners, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders to reflect on ongoing interventions and identify areas for deeper collaboration.
The engagement highlighted the progress and impact of key Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, the Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), and the e-learning initiative, which are promoting increased access to education, research development, climate resilience, skills enhancement, and preparing young people for future opportunities.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Makerere University, Prof. Sarah Ssali, stated that stakeholder engagement was vital in building stronger links between the University, students, academic staff, employers, and other parties involved in shaping graduates’ futures.
“You have been chosen for a purpose because it was not just about engaging with the students and stakeholders, but also with those involved in developing knowledge products and those who train and mentor our students,” Prof. Ssali said.
She emphasised the significance of partnerships in widening access to higher education, especially for students from marginalised backgrounds, highlighting that through scholarship programmes and inclusive education initiatives, Makerere University continues to attract and support talented students who might otherwise face obstacles to university access.
Prof. Ssali acknowledged the contribution of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alongside other university initiatives, including the Africa Climate Collaborative, fee waiver schemes, and Council scholarships, which offer opportunities for students—especially those from vulnerable communities and talented female learners.
“Your investment in these young people is not charity, but a shared national development priority,” she said.
She explained that Makerere University’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation aligns with the University’s strategic aim to enhance human capital development, research, and innovation in support of national development priorities under Uganda Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan.
Prof. Ssali noted that the University has, over the years, transformed into a research-focused institution, with partnerships enabling it to address critical societal challenges.
She urged stakeholders to continue supporting young people through mentorship and guidance as they prepare for employment and entrepreneurship.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr Aggrey David Kibenge, praised the collaboration between Makerere University, the Mastercard Foundation, and other stakeholders, emphasising that teamwork is vital in tackling Uganda’s youth unemployment problem.
He observed that Uganda’s youthful population presents both an opportunity and a responsibility, with more than 70 per cent of the population under 30 years.
Mr Kibenge said the government alone cannot address youth unemployment and welcomed partnerships that support young people with relevant skills, employment pathways, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
He highlighted government interventions, including the National Apprenticeship and Graduate Volunteer Programme Management Information System (NAGVPMIS), which links graduates with potential employers via a digital platform.
The platform enables young people to upload their qualifications and skills, while employers can find suitable candidates based on available opportunities.
“By digitising the matching and recruitment process, we are making the system more transparent, efficient, and merit-based,” Kibenge said.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the need for education institutions, employers, and the government to work together to address the skills gap affecting many graduates entering the labour market.
He noted that stronger partnerships with initiatives such as those supported by the Mastercard Foundation will help young people acquire skills that respond to changing labour market needs.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the Mastercard Foundation and other partners to create more opportunities for young people to access dignified work.
Mastercard Foundation Highlights Young Africa Works Progress
Representing the Mastercard Foundation, Ms Maria Mugerwa, the Finance Lead at the Foundation, provided an update on the Young Africa Works Strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young people, 70 per cent of them women, across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
She explained that, in Uganda, the strategy aims to reach 4.3 million young people aged 18 to 35 through initiatives centred on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, education, and skills enhancement.
The strategy supports key areas, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, the digital economy, creative industries, and inclusive opportunities for young people.
Ms. Mugerwa noted that the Foundation’s approach is built on partnerships that bring together universities, government, private-sector actors, and communities to create pathways for young people to transition from education to employment.
“Closing this gap will require stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, including linking universities and graduates to opportunities created under the Young Africa Works Strategy.” She said.
She emphasised that ongoing collaboration will be essential in widening access to employment opportunities, finance, markets, and entrepreneurship support for young people.
Highlights of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University continues to transform the lives of academically talented but economically constrained young Africans by expanding access to quality university education and nurturing the next generation of transformative leaders.
In a presentation by Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director, the initiative was emphasised as a comprehensive support model that extends beyond scholarships to offer academic assistance, leadership growth, psychosocial well-being, community involvement, and pathways to dignified employment, entrepreneurship, and further education.
The Program has supported 971 Scholars and alumni, with many transitioning into formal employment, entrepreneurship, and advanced studies.
Guided by the values of listening, humility, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact, the program promotes inclusion, belonging, and agency among young people.
Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University
The Program Director of the Africa Climate Collaborative, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, said that the programme, which kicked off in 2025, is a transformative eight-year university-wide initiative designed to empower young people and strengthen Africa’s capacity to develop inclusive, equitable, and innovative responses to climate change.
Implemented in collaboration with global and regional partners, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Cape Town, the University of Ghana, and the Association of African Universities, the Collaborative focuses on four interconnected pillars: workforce development, entrepreneurship, research and innovation, and networks, policy, and learning.
Through its workforce development pillar, ACC will expand access to quality education by providing comprehensive scholarships to 250 Master’s students and 40 PhD students, while strengthening research capacity through academic mentorship and support.
The entrepreneurship pillar will equip 500 youth not in education, employment, or training with green entrepreneurship skills, provide incubation support, and promote youth-led green innovations.
The Collaborative will also establish a Climate Resilience Support Centre to drive interdisciplinary research and innovation while fostering partnerships, policy dialogues, and knowledge exchange to support climate-resilient communities.
e-Learning Initiative Phase II
In a presentation by Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning (IODeL) at Makerere University, the progress and future direction of the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative Phase II were highlighted.
Building on the successful completion of Phase I in December 2024, Makerere University secured participation in the second phase, which aims to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen inclusive, learner-centred, and scalable e-learning systems across the institution.
The initiative seeks to enhance access to quality digital education by developing 10 fully online academic programmes and 10 micro-credentials by 2030. It will also establish integrated digital learner support services, strengthen digital infrastructure, and promote digitally empowered leadership and governance within the University.
A key component of the initiative is building institutional capacity in learning design and technology.
Since January 2026, 35 Makerere University staff members have been undertaking graduate-level training at Arizona State University, with 13 pursuing Master’s programmes and 22 enrolled for graduate certificates in Learning Design and Technology.
Through strategic partnerships and innovation, the initiative will position Makerere University as a leader in digital education, expand opportunities for inclusive learning, and strengthen resilience in higher education.
The second stakeholder engagement session concluded with several stakeholders, including DFCU Bank, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), and Finn Church Aid, among others, committing to building stronger pathways that will enable students and graduates to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s social and economic transformation.
Damali Mukhaye is the Communication, Public Relations, and Branding Officer for Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University.
General
Benchmarking Best Practices In Quality Assurance: Official Visit To The University Of Cape Town
By Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende
1.0 BACKGROUND
A team of four members of staff from the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University undertook an official benchmarking visit to the University of Cape Town (UCT) from 19th to 26th April, 2026. The four are members of the Quality Assurance, Gender Mainstreaming and ICT Committee-CHS. The delegation comprised two academic and two administrative staff led by the Dean, School of Dentistry, Prof. Annet Kutesa. Other members included;
- Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende – Quality Assurance Officer-CHS
- Dr. Kalidi Rajab – Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy
- Mr. Bataamye Herbert – CHS Registrar.
The primary purpose of the visit was to benchmark Quality Assurance (QA) systems in teaching, learning, and governance; strengthen institutional collaboration; and explore opportunities for academic exchange and joint initiatives between Makerere University and the University of Cape Town.
1.1 Purpose of the Visit to UCT was
- To gain an understanding of institutional QA frameworks at UCT across teaching, research and governance, and identify adaptable best practices for Makerere University.
- To explore effective strategies used by UCT to design, monitor, and continuously improve academic programmes, ensuring relevance, consistency, and excellence.
- To learn from UCT’s experiences and approaches to national and international accreditation processes, including preparation, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.
- To examine mechanisms for fostering staff engagement, ownership, and accountability in QA and continuous improvement processes.
2.0 Key Areas Covered During the Visit
2.1 Quality Assurance Systems
The visit explored the institutional quality assurance framework at the University of Cape Town, focusing on its structured approach to academic quality management. Emphasis was placed on clearly defined QA units, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and the integration of quality assurance processes into routine academic delivery and programme oversight. Discussions also highlighted systematic approaches to curriculum design and periodic review, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and evolving educational needs.
We found that QA frameworks at UCT cut across teaching, research and governance. Here below are some of the key findings;
- All programmes must be approved by the Council of Higher Education, Quality Regulation Framework.
- All programmes must be accessible to the Council of Higher Education (CHE).
- The Academic Programmes at UCT are reviewed after every 5 years.
- Every programme goes through detailed evaluation before approval.
- Support Staff are also interviewed before appointment into university service.
- Each programme must be accounted for by UCT to the Councils
- Comprehensive information for each programme is required by the Councils before approval is given.
- It is important to have integrity of qualifications and qualification of programmes.
- After O. Level the students sit for a National Benchmark Test.
2.2 Governance and Leadership
The visit provided insights into transparent and participatory governance structures that support effective decision-making. There is a strong emphasis on staff engagement, accountability, and leadership at different institutional levels. A culture of continuous improvement is embedded within governance systems, supported by regular review and feedback mechanisms.
2.3 Teaching and Learning
The discussions further highlighted the institution’s diverse student assessment methods and structured feedback systems, alongside the effective integration of digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement.
Here below are the key outcomes;
- Every Course unit exam should be moderated by an External Moderator.
- The external moderator is appointed at the beginning of the year.
- The external moderator makes recommendations.
- These recommendations are in form of policies.
- Ensure overall examination preparedness for all students
- The template for external moderation is revised regularly.
- The moderators also assess if, the exams are fair or not.
Conclusion:
Key Takeaways
- The promotion ladder at UCT is more on the Competences, individual contributions on supervision, publications, community service and experience.
- QA is embedded in every unit and department.
We thank the Principal, College of Health Sciences and CMT for the support that facilitated this benchmarking visit.
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