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.
The handover of Makerere University’s Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-DVCFA from Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta to Prof. Henry Alinaitwe was marked by appreciation of accomplishments registered during the former’s term and reassurance of their continuation by the incoming office bearer. The ceremony, held during the Top Management meeting of 4th May 2026, was presided over by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali and guided by the Deputy Chief Internal Auditor, CPA Agnes Khwaka as Members of Top Management witnessed.
Presenting the handover report on behalf of Prof. Ireeta who is away on duties related to the Materials Research Society, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala shared a number of accomplishments from 20th February 2025 to 30th April 2026. They included:
- Increase in parking revenue from UGX6million to UGX100million per month
- Increase in rental income from UGX 286.3million to UGX612.3million per annum
- Implementation of Digitization and performance-based systems that improved accountability, staff engagement and service deliver
- Enforcement of the Staff Housing Policy
- Strengthening of the Financial Management System, Advancement of e-procurement and Integration of institutional systems that improved efficiency, transparency and decision making
- Online processing of Staff Housing Applications and advancements in development of the Student Accommodation System
- Improved Security and Campus Management through enhanced surveillance courtesy of improved CCTV systems, improved coordination and enforcement operations
- Improved Student Accommodation through renovation of Halls of Residence, introduction of Resident Tutors and removal of illegal occupants
- Strengthened Grants Mobilisation and Management supported by strong grants portfolio and development of digital systems for improved structure and compliance in collaboration with the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS)
- Repositioning Makerere University Holdings Limited to strengthen asset management and revenue generation
Prof. Alinaitwe who previously served as Acting (Ag.) DVCFA from 16th November 2021 to 19th February 2025 congratulated Prof. Ireeta upon the various accomplishments registered during his term. He equally pledged to work with colleagues who vied for the same position i.e. Prof. Ireeta and Prof. Eria Hisali to bring their ideas on board for the good of Makerere University. On behalf of the University Management, Prof. Sarah Ssali presented Prof. Ireeta (in absentia) with a plaque in appreciation of his dedicated and exemplary service as Ag. DVCFA.
General
From Information to Innovation: ‘This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint’—Academic Registrar and Director of Graduate Training Urge PhD Cohort 11
By Moses Lutaaya
A strong message of transformation, resilience, and purpose defined the orientation of PhD Cohort 11 (2025/2026) held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Makerere University School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, with academic leaders urging students to rethink what it means to pursue doctoral education in the 21st century.
Presiding over the function, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, delivered an expansive and deeply reflective message, challenging the new doctoral candidates to embrace a fundamentally different academic journey.
Welcoming the students, he reminded them that their admission followed a highly competitive process, placing them among a select group entrusted with shaping the future through research.
“You have come from a competitive pool of deserving Ugandans to embark on a journey that may turn out to be the most challenging in your life, but also the most transformative and rewarding intellectual experience,” he said.
Drawing a clear distinction between earlier academic stages and doctoral study, Prof. Buyinza emphasized that PhD candidates must now take full ownership of their learning journey.“The first time you were here, someone was driving you. This time, you are going to sit in your own seat and drive it.”
He stressed that doctoral study is not a quick academic exercise but a long-term intellectual commitment requiring discipline and endurance. A PhD is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Don’t burn out so fast. Build your stamina, be consistent, and be resilient.”
In a powerful reflection on global change, he noted that today’s complex challenges can no longer be solved within single disciplines. “No single discipline can solve the challenges of the day. You need multi-disciplinarily, inter-disciplinarily, and collaboration to address complex problems.”
He urged students to abandon disciplinary silos and embrace collaborative thinking. “Gone are the days when one discipline could despise another. The world has changed; we need all of these fields working together.”
Prof. Buyinza further emphasized the shift from the information age to the innovation age, challenging students to move beyond consuming knowledge to producing new ideas. “Artificial intelligence can tell us the known. For you, we want you to tell us the unknown.”
He dismantled the traditional image of isolated doctoral study, calling it outdated in the modern academic environment. “That mental image of being hidden away in a library for years is outdated. A PhD in 2026 is very different and the landscape has changed dramatically.”
He emphasized that success in doctoral education depends heavily on collaboration and global academic engagement. “No scholar has ever flourished in isolation. Success today requires peer-to-peer collaboration, cross-cultural learning, and a global mindset.”
In a striking moment, he reframed failure as an essential part of the research process. “Ninety-nine percent of what you try may fail, but the PhD is about using that failure as data to improve your next step.”
He also cautioned against overdependence on artificial intelligence, stressing academic integrity and independent thinking. “Use AI to strengthen your thinking—not to replace it. There are no ghostwriters in scholarship. You must be the thinker.”
Addressing mental health, he urged students to build supportive academic communities. A PhD can be emotionally exhausting. Build communities around you. Take care of your mental health, we need you alive.”
He further called for structured planning and accountability in the doctoral journey. “Write your study plan from day one, how you will move from semester one to semester six. This must be well-structured, well-managed, and supervised.”
Warning against perfectionism, he added: “Perfection is the enemy of completion. If you want everything to be perfect, you may never finish. The world will judge you immediately as a PhD holder. It has no time for excuses. You must be ready.”
In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, welcomed the cohort and reinforced the university’s structured approach to doctoral education.
He explained that the cohort system is designed to ensure students progress together and support one another throughout their studies. “You are coming in as a group, and we have put systems in place to ensure you move as a group. This reduces the feeling that you are alone.”
He emphasized that doctoral research must be aligned with national and global priorities. “You are not here for research for its own sake. Your research must be fit for purpose and aligned to the challenges facing society.”
He reminded students of the structured three-year timeline for completion. “We have a contract with you for three years. It may look long, but it is also short. It requires commitment and responsibility on both sides.”
On technology, he cautioned against intellectual dependency on artificial intelligence. “AI is part of our reality, but it must not take over your thinking. Do not outsource the skills you are supposed to acquire.”
He concluded by reaffirming institutional support while stressing student responsibility. “We will do everything possible to ensure you complete in time, but you must also play your part.”
Speaking on behalf of the students, PhD outgoing President Habibu Malyamungu encouraged his colleagues to embrace practical habits and peer support systems.
He urged students to celebrate their achievement but remain grounded in discipline. “You need to congratulate yourselves for joining this program, it is a very important step.”
He challenged the perception that PhD study must be unnecessarily long and difficult.“A PhD is not necessarily a long journey. Sometimes simple things, like writing a few paragraphs before checking your phone can make a big difference.”
He emphasized the importance of collaboration among students.“A colleague can give you a solution that helps you overcome a problem in seconds.”
He further announced psychosocial support initiatives aimed at improving student well-being. “We are planning sessions to help you relax, engage, and relieve stress. These moments are important and they help the brain reset.”
The event closed with a unified message: doctoral training at Makerere University is evolving into a journey of innovation, interdisciplinary, and real-world problem solving—anchored in collaboration and resilience.
General
Advanced Research Methods Training of Trainers Sparks Transformation in Doctoral Training at Makerere University
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has intensified efforts to strengthen graduate supervision and research excellence through a dynamic three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Advanced Research Methods held from April 28 to 30, 2026 at the Senate Building Telepresence Hall.
The high-impact training, organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training with support from iCARTA and funding from the NORHED Project, brought together lecturers from across colleges including the School of Law, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), College of Natural Sciences (CONAS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB), and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).
The training aimed to build institutional capacity to enhance supervision of graduate students and improve doctoral completion rates, a long-standing challenge in many universities.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Julius Kikooma underscored the strategic importance of continuous staff development in responding to evolving academic demands.
“This particular training is one of the routine tools that we use as the Directorate of Graduate Training to continuously re-tool and re-engage with staff in response to the requirements of the new policy of teaching and learning,” he said.
Prof. Kikooma highlighted that the training is anchored in the university’s shift toward competence-based education, a model increasingly being adopted globally and nationally.
“We are going to be engaging with very important issues on how to redesign and support learners in this new dispensation of competence-based teaching and learning,” he added.
He also pointed to recent reforms in doctoral training, including the introduction of a structured framework for PhD-by-research programmes aimed at addressing delays in completion.
“The expectation is that all staff should be aware of that framework and appreciate that it is designed such that the student picks up a range of skills and knowledge that gives them competence,” he explained.
The workshop also serves as preparation for lecturers who will facilitate upcoming cross-cutting PhD courses, with a long-term vision of decentralizing doctoral training to individual colleges.
Sharing his perspective, Dr. Robert Kakuru a Lecturer at the department of Philosophy described the training as both necessary and timely for strengthening the university’s academic core.
“By all standards, all academic staff are required to do research and supervise graduate students. Therefore, a ToT in Advanced Research Methods becomes important,” he said.
He noted that while the initiative is commendable, more staff still need to be reached.
“This is still a drop in an ocean we have more than 1,000 academic staff who all need these skills,” he observed.
Dr. Kakuru emphasized that improved understanding of research methods by both lecturers and students could significantly ease doctoral journeys. “Once the lecturers know the methods and the students know the methods, then the job is well cut out,” he said.
He further linked the training to Uganda’s broader development agenda, noting that research plays a central role across sectors. “Research has a multiplier effect… every programme area requires research,” he added.
From the participants’ perspective, Dr. Sarah Nakijjoba, a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Linguistics, English Language Studies & Communication Skills described the training as transformative and aligned with global shifts in higher education.
“We are being encouraged to move away from the traditional knowledge-based methods of teaching and embrace competence-based pedagogy,” she said.
Dr. Nakijjoba explained that the training emphasized learner-centered and practical approaches such as peer review, simulations, case studies, and role play. “Research methods is a practical course and requires learners to go out and do as opposed to just knowing,” she noted.
“This training is timely, it prepares us as instructors to deliver our content effectively,” she said, adding that the knowledge gained would be cascaded to other staff and students.
She also highlighted the wider implications for national development and employability. “If we have graduates who have the ability to problem-solve, they will devise practical solutions to real challenges,” she said, emphasizing the potential for evidence-based policymaking.
Dr. Nakijjoba further described research methods as central to the university’s agenda of being research led. “Research is the engine, the backbone and everything rotates around it,” she said, reinforcing Makerere’s ambition of being a research-led institution.
Participants were also equipped with skills in curriculum design, research ethics, academic writing, and the use of statistical tools, all within a competence-based framework. A key focus was on authentic assessment that measures what learners can do.
The training marks a significant step in Makerere University’s broader strategy to enhance graduate education, strengthen supervision, and produce competent researchers capable of addressing national and global challenges.
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