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.
When a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) visited Makerere University on 23rd July 2026, one of the biggest discussions was how universities can effectively manage research grants.
The MUST delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika, visited Makerere to learn from the University’s experience in managing externally funded research projects. During the meeting, Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe revealed that while MUST managed research grants worth about UGX 13 billion in the last financial year, Makerere’s research portfolio now stands at approximately USD 250 million.
The discussion focused on the systems, policies and accountability measures that have enabled Makerere to manage one of the largest research portfolios in Africa.
Research Funding Built on Trust.
Prof. Nawangwe explained that Makerere’s research funding comes from different colleges and research units.
He noted that the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) alone attracts about USD 70 million annually, while the School of Public Health receives approximately USD 30 million each year. Together, the two units account for nearly USD 100 million in research funding.
He said these grants are made possible because development partners trust the University to manage public resources responsibly.
“We must ensure proper accountability so that we don’t lose the trust of our donors and continue benefiting from their support,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
How Makerere Manages Research Grants.
Acting University Secretary Mr. Simon Kizito took the MUST delegation through the key requirements that every grant funded project must meet under Makerere’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).
He explained that every research project must first be included in the University’s approved budget in line with the Public Finance Management Act before any funds can be spent.
He also emphasized that procurement under research grants must comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act, regardless of the donor’s procurement guidelines.
“The Auditor General will pounce on you” if procurement procedures are not followed, he cautioned.
Mr. Kizito further explained that all assets purchased using grant funds, including vehicles and equipment, must be recorded in the University’s central assets register unless the funding agreement states otherwise.
He added that separate project bank accounts can only be opened with approval from the Accountant General, while all projects must submit both financial and narrative reports to funders and government and undergo regular audits.
University Bursar Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha noted that although grant funds do not appear directly in the University’s main financial statements, they are fully disclosed in the notes to the accounts and are audited annually before reports are submitted to Parliament.
Lessons from the Research and Innovation Fund.
The delegation also learnt about the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Representing the Fund, Dr. Roy William Mayega said Mak-RIF has invested about UGX 172 billion in research and innovation over the last seven financial years.
He explained that 70 percent of the funding supports competitive research grants, 10 percent is reserved for projects addressing national priorities, while the remaining funds support monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of research findings.
According to Dr. Mayega, the Fund has so far supported 1,480 research and innovation projects, with 53% completed and 47% still ongoing.
Looking Beyond Research Grants.
Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships Prof. Robert Wamala encouraged the visiting delegation to look beyond simply winning research grants.
He emphasized the importance of investing in strong internal systems, using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, and ensuring that research leads to publications, patents, commercialization and partnerships with industry.
He noted that universities should not only focus on attracting grants but also on translating research into solutions that benefit society.
Learning from Makerere’s experience.
Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika said MUST recently established a Research Institute to coordinate research activities and grant management under one structure. She explained that the University wanted to learn from Makerere’s experience as its own research portfolio continues to grow.
“We have come to learn from your achievements as well as the challenges, so that we can do things better,” she said.
She added that the visit marks the beginning of closer collaboration between the two institutions, with a follow up technical engagement planned to allow the MUST team to learn more about Makerere’s grant management systems, including the GAMSU online platform.
General
Makerere, Southwest Minzu University and NARO Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Livestock Research and Innovation
Makerere University has taken a significant step towards strengthening international research collaboration following a high-level meeting with a delegation from Southwest Minzu University, China, to advance a strategic partnership in animal husbandry, veterinary sciences and agricultural innovation.
Held on 23rd July 2026, the meeting brought together representatives from Makerere University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), the Advancement Office, Southwest Minzu University and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to discuss a long-term collaboration aimed at enhancing livestock productivity, promoting scientific research and building institutional capacity.
The proposed partnership builds on an earlier study visit by NARO to Southwest Minzu University, where discussions identified opportunities to introduce high-quality goat breeds with superior genetic traits for crossbreeding with indigenous Ugandan breeds. The initiative positions Uganda as the first country in Africa to benefit from the introduction of these specialised breeds, with the goal of improving livestock productivity and supporting farmers’ livelihoods.
While livestock improvement forms the foundation of the collaboration, partners agreed that the five-year initiative will extend far beyond animal husbandry. The partnership is expected to foster joint research in agro-technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, microbiology and laboratory sciences, creating new opportunities for scientific innovation and knowledge exchange. The project will be anchored at NARO’s Kawanda research facilities before expanding to twelve research institutions across Uganda, with Makerere University providing academic leadership, scientific expertise and research support.
Welcoming the delegation, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, reaffirmed Makerere University‘s commitment to international collaboration as a driver of research excellence, innovation and capacity development. She noted that the University, through the advancement office, continues to leverage its extensive global partnerships to facilitate knowledge exchange while addressing national development priorities through research.
Prof. Ssali further observed that introducing improved goat breeds presents an opportunity to transform Uganda’s livestock sector by enabling farmers to move beyond subsistence production towards more commercially viable animal husbandry systems. She emphasized that the success of the partnership will depend on effective coordination, well-defined institutional frameworks and sustained communication among all partners.
Speaking on behalf of Southwest Minzu University, the visiting delegation expressed appreciation for Makerere University‘s hospitality and reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a lasting institutional partnership with both Makerere University and NARO. Beyond collaborative research, the delegation highlighted opportunities for staff exchanges, joint scientific projects and postgraduate training, including scholarships for Makerere students pursuing Master’s and PhD programmes. They also extended an invitation to Makerere University‘s leadership to undertake a reciprocal visit to Southwest Minzu University in China.
Discussions also focused on operationalizing the partnership for the benefit of International education through staff and student exchange. Makerere University‘s International Office committed to developing an implementation framework linking Makerere University and Southwest Minzu University, while ensuring that staff and postgraduate students benefit from scholarship opportunities, research collaborations and international mobility programmes. The Office will also coordinate the development of exchange guidelines and work with the Academic Registrar on postgraduate scholarship applications.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a sustainable partnership that combines international expertise with Uganda’s research priorities. By bringing together Makerere University‘s academic excellence, Southwest Minzu University’s specialized expertise and NARO’s national agricultural research infrastructure, the collaboration is expected to strengthen livestock research, advance scientific innovation and contribute to Uganda’s agricultural transformation.
Expected Outcomes of the Partnership
The proposed collaboration between Makerere University, Southwest Minzu University and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is expected to create a strong platform for advancing research, innovation and capacity development in Uganda’s agricultural sector. By combining the complementary strengths of the three institutions, the partnership seeks to promote multidisciplinary research in animal husbandry, biotechnology, agro-technology, artificial intelligence and microbiology, while supporting the development of innovative solutions to address challenges in livestock production and animal health.
A key anticipated outcome is enhanced academic and research capacity through joint research initiatives, staff exchanges and postgraduate training opportunities. The partnership is expected to provide Makerere University students with access to Master’s and PhD scholarships at Southwest Minzu University, while enabling researchers and academic staff to participate in collaborative research, scientific exchange programmes and international knowledge-sharing initiatives. These engagements are expected to strengthen institutional research capacity and foster the development of highly skilled professionals in veterinary and agricultural sciences.
The collaboration is also expected to strengthen the link between research and practice. With NARO serving as the implementation anchor for field-based activities and Makerere providing academic and scientific leadership, the partnership aims to facilitate the translation of research into practical innovations that improve livestock productivity, enhance food security and contribute to sustainable agricultural development in Uganda.
At the institutional level, the partnership is expected to expand Makerere University‘s international research networks, attract collaborative research opportunities and reinforce its position as a leading research-intensive university. By fostering long-term collaboration across academia, research institutions and international partners, the initiative has the potential to contribute to Uganda’s agricultural transformation while advancing knowledge generation, technology transfer and evidence-based innovation.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management on 23rd July 2026 hosted a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika. The visit follows the formation of the Grants Office under the newly opened MUST Research Institute. This delegation was therefore keen to benchmark Makerere University’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)’s experience as the office responsible for managing all MUST’s research and innovation funding takes shape.
Welcoming the delegation, most of whom are alumni of Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MUST on strides made in human capacity development throughout the 37 years of existence, particularly in the health sciences.
“We have collaborated in various areas, particularly in medicine – I see many of our researchers publishing together, and we have joint programmes, especially in HIV/AIDS research” the Vice Chancellor remarked, before adding “Our collaboration in medicine is very strong, and it would be good to expand this collaboration to other disciplines.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that although this was a benchmarking visit, the learning process is two-way and as such, the team from Makerere is equally keen to learn from their MUST counterparts. “As a slightly smaller university, you may have more time to reflect on issues than we do,” he explained.
In her remarks, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Management for accepting to host the benchmarking delegation, noting that it was a homecoming visit for her and several colleagues. She equally acknowledged that collaborations in Medicine take the lion’s share of existing work between two intuitions.
“Our largest faculty, formerly the Faculty of Medicine, has recently been renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences to better reflect its broader mandate. However, our other faculties include: Faculty of Science, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (Engineering)” she explained.
She added that in 2026, MUST established the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, and is restructuring the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies to strengthen its focus as a science and technology university. Away from academia, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika shared that MUST’s hitherto semi-autonomous research centres had been brought under the umbrella of a Research Institute, “to provide a coordinated framework for research.”
They include the Centre of: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine; Innovation and Technology Transfer; Tropical Forest Conservation; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Entrepreneurship; and Public Policy and Economic Data.
Turning to the gist of the visit, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika noted that as MUST continues to restructure its units and grow it’s grants portfolio, tapping into Makerere University’s wealth of experience in attracting and managing funding from both the Government and development partners is inevitable.
“Makerere, as the leading university in the country, continues to support other universities, and we would like to benefit from that experience,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika remarked. “We hope to learn from both your achievements and your challenges so that we can improve our own systems” she concluded.
The meeting was attended by the Acting University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Research, Innovation and Partnerships-Prof. Robert Wamala, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head GAMSU- Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Member of Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Coordinator-Dr. Roy William Mayega and Advancement Office’s Mr. Vincent Lubega Nsamba.
The MUST delegation included; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Robert Bitariho, University Secretary-Mr. Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora, and Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Prinari Behangana. Others included Finance Manager-CPA Annah Atuhaire, MUST Research Institute Chief Research Officer-Assoc. Prof. Angella Musiimenta, Principal Legal Officer-Mr. Timothy Mugumya, Deputy Secretary (Planning)-Ms. Robinah Nakakeeto and Dean Faculty of Business and Management Sciences-Dr. John Baguma Kule.
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