General
Centre of Excellence in Sickle Cell Anemia Launched as Mak Hosts AAP Meeting
The State Minister for Higher Education Hon. Dr. J.C. Muyingo represented by the Commissioner in Charge of Admissions and Student Affairs Mr. Muzamil Mukwatampola on 9th September 2024 officially launched the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Anemia and Other Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) of Michigan State University (MSU) Annual Consortium Meeting. Hosted by Makerere University in the School of Public Health Conference Hall, the three-day event that concluded on 11th September 2024 included an Annual Business Meeting, and a networking event hosted by the US Embassy and the US Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William W. Popp.
The Annual gathering also included a Meeting with Members of Top Management, a tour of the Mak Innovation Hub, an AAP Advisory Board Meeting, a Public Dialogue on pioneering change and transforming institutions, a Student Recruitment Event by MSU, and a Forum on how African and global funders have worked across sectors for impactful programming.
Opening Ceremony
Addressing participants at the opening event on 9th September, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe acknowledged that it was a privilege for Makerere to host the Annual Consortium Meeting as it presents a lot of opportunities for AAP members to deliberate on innovations that can contribute to the betterment of humanity. Narrating a firsthand account of the loss of loved ones to Sickle Cell Disease, he added that Makerere can work together with consortia such as AAP to alleviate Africa’s health challenges.
Prof. Nawangwe also current Chair of the AAP Advisory Board therefore expressed happiness that the funds used to start the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Anemia and Other Neglected Tropical Diseases were received from Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF). He invited all AAP Members to utilize Centre’s resources to conduct research on Sickle Cell Anemia and NTDs. The Centre is headed by Prof. Sarah Kiguli, a Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the College of Health Sciences (CHS).
Delivering the opening remarks, Prof. Steven Hanson the MSU Vice Provost and Dean for International Studies and Programs thanked Makerere University for the demonstrable leadership in tackling challenges such as Sickle Cell Anemia and Neglected Tropical Diseases.
“When an institution like invests its resources, creates infrastructure and prioritises addressing big problems like these by creating a Centre for Excellence, we have an obligation to not just learn from them but to work together alongside them because we know that in a global society, challenges faced by one community affect us all, and solutions built together help us all” he added.
Adding his voice to the congratulatory messages, Mr. Mukwatampola on behalf of Dr. J.C. Muyingo noted that the Centre of Excellence will serve as a beacon of hope for not only treating Sickle Cell Anemia and Neglected Tropical Diseases but also fostering research and collaboration that plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between new findings and treatment.
“This launch therefore underscores the NRM Government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and prioritizing diseases that have long been neglected” added the State Minister’s remarks.
The opening ceremony also played witness to the announcement of Prof. David Meya an Infectious Disease physician at the College of Health Sciences (CHS) as the Oliver Reginald Tambo Africa Research Chair Initiative (ORTARChI) for Infectious Diseases recipient. The announcement was made by Dr. Dorothy Ngila, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF).
“The panel found the University (Makerere)’s involvement in AAP, RUFORUM, ARUA, AAUN, WUN, and many other university networks really excellent and on the basis of this was satisfied that the Chair would be in good hands to support the developmental trajectory of not only Uganda but also East Africa and the rest of the continent” remarked Dr. Ngila, also Vice Chair of the AAP Advisory Board.
AAP Dialogue in line with the AU Year of Education (2024)
The Vice Chancellor opened the Dialogue held 10th September 2024 on a philosophical note, by quoting Presidents Mandela and Nyerere.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA
“We must run while they walk”.
MWALIMU JULIUS KAMBARAGE NYERERE
Taking note of the World Bank recommendation that Africa must produce as many as 100,000 PhDs over the next ten years so as to move the continent out of poverty, Prof. Nawangwe stated that “Education is extremely important and it is important for us to understand what kind of education will transform our continent.”
However, and on the question of quantity versus quality and relevance, he further explained that for the African case, “any education is important and relevant.” This he amplified by stating that how the recipient of that education uses it to transform themselves and society is what renders it relevant.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Thangavel Palanivel, UNDP Uganda Senior Economic Advisor applauded Makerere’s role as a lighthouse among African Universities by pioneering change and transforming institutions through not only educating future leaders but also contributing to research, innovations as well as shaping policy and strategy. He added that Makerere and other Universities have the dual role of responding to emerging needs, challenges and opportunities as well as developing the knowledge and skills of youth to match the changing labour market.
He went on to outline what UNDP sees as potential areas of change as; Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, Innovation in Curricula to address mismatches in the labour market, Interdisciplinary undertakings, Enhanced Research and Innovation, Community Engagement as well as Leadership and Governance that embraces flexibility.
Dr. Palanivel outlined UNDP’s commitment to continue providing unlimited technical support to institutions as well as supporting initiatives such as Innovation Hubs at Makerere and Kabale University, and supporting the Policy Lab at Makerere University to foster implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Panelists have their say
The discussion that followed the keynote had as panelists; Prof. Brendan Cantwell – Erickson Distinguished Chair in Higher Education at MSU, Dr. Elizabeth Nansubuga – Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa (HERS-EA) Associate, Dr. Patrick Okori – Executive Secretary, Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and Prof. Richard Tabulawa – Deputy Vice Chancellor – Teaching and Learning, University of Botswana. The session moderators were Prof. Ronald Bisaso, Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) and Prof. Flavia Senkubuge, Acting Vice Principal of Student Affairs, University of Pretoria.
Prof. Cantwell noted that maintaining and increasing the quality and quantity of systems coupled with inclusivity would help the continent move towards the 100,000 PhDs in ten years target. Furthermore was the need to embrace the creativity and innovation that resides in people who know the needs of their communities so as to develop a new generation of scholars equipped to steer universities to navigate new challenges.
He equally stated the need for quasi-independence by universities so that they are not directly controlled by the state, so as to be able to professionalise their workforce and enhance their salaries competitively. Prof. Cantwell further urged universities to be loosely coupled and environmentally open, to embrace networks and communication especially in the form of South-South partnerships and concluded calling on the State, Private Sector, NGOs, CSOs and Multinationals to fund the research and resource intensiveness of universities.
Prof. Okori on his part observed that whereas universities account for 40% of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) scientists, they spend most of their time teaching and less of it innovating. He therefore called for the need for universities to focus on training transformative leaders across staff and communities as well as produce science solutions that are relevant to societal needs and scalable so as to attract funding.
On the need for innovative curricula, he shared that RUFORUM embraced coursework-based PhD which have increased the number of candidates trained and strengthened Agri-food systems resilience in Africa, with particular emphasis on crop improvement. Prof. Okori equally stressed the need for Universities to shift from project-based to programmatic-based models so as to attract long-term funding and partnerships.
Prof. Tabulawa who shared the University of Botswana’s staff development strategy noted that the Government’s role in providing funds for staff to be trained abroad and hiring international expertise to fill local gaps was and remains fundamental. He equally shared sandwich programmes that enable staff to be trained while at work as a game changer.
He equally shared the University of Botswana’s Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability strategy that introduced an affirmative action policy that relaxed admission requirements for students with disabilities as well as those from marginalized communities as pivotal. To address the skills mismatch in the labour market, Prof. Tabulawa shared that despite its failure in other countries, the outcome-based approach to education allows for players from the industry to provide input into curricula, thereby increasing relevance of programmes taught.
Tackling the gender perspective, Dr. Nansubuga shared that whereas Makerere has achieved gender parity at undergraduate level, the same is yet to be achieved at postgraduate level due to a number of barriers. These, she added, have been identified over time and embedded into HERS-EA innovative curriculum that aims to shape female leaders’ career and professional development aspirations.
As such, HERS-EA has carried out policy advocacy workshops with male allies and mentorship workshops that help women develop their PhD concepts and identify supervisors. Dr. Nansubuga added that HERS-EA enables female leaders to tap into global partnerships for grants and as a result of these empowerment initiatives, eight of the female graduates from the HERS-EA Academy have become Deans. She nevertheless highlighted the need to do more at a higher level, as majority of female leaders who attend the Academy have receive support from their Schools, Colleges, Administrative Units and the Vice Chancellor’s Office, which she applauded for the enormous support, including granting HERS-EA Office Space.
Concluding Remarks
The Dialogue was closed by Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, Vice Chancellor, USIU-Africa who urged participants to always distinguish between proactive and reactive responses opportunities, the former being preferable as it caters for the partners’ strategic objectives. Secondly, he urged institutions to have a stake in partnerships so as to work towards their survival. He equally called for examination of what institutions bring to the table that others can tap into, citing the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Anemia and Other Neglected Tropical Diseases as a show of great commitment by the Government of Uganda.
“What it means, and I hope this is true, is that the results of the research being done here will be applied to solving problems that the Government has identified as priority” added Prof. Ntarangwi.
He concluded by adding that AAP Members were gathered at Makerere, not because they didn’t have convention centres of their own but because it is important to work together. “Conflict, disease and climate change have demonstrated to us that there are no boundaries that can keep all these things out.”
Makerere University’s School of Statistics and Planning (SSP) recently hosted a three-day workshop on sustainable electronic waste (e-waste) management, led by a team from the East African Community (EAC). The workshop, which is part of a broader initiative to enhance environmental management practices across the East African region, was aimed at retooling university staff on the best practices for handling and disposing of e-waste.
The workshop was officially opened by Prof. James Wokadala, the Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences and Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning. In his opening remarks, Prof. Wokadala expressed his gratitude to the EAC team, led by Mr. Dismas Mwikila, for the critical knowledge shared with Makerere University staff. He highlighted the importance of e-waste management, emphasizing that the public needs to be well-informed about the proper ways to dispose of electronic waste.
“E-waste is becoming a growing concern as more electronic devices are being used and discarded. Without proper disposal methods, hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium, often found in electronic equipment, can cause significant harm to both human health and the environment,” said Prof. Wokadala. He underscored that this training comes at a crucial time, as Uganda and the broader East African region are seeing an increase in the use of electronic devices. He also expressed his hope that similar training workshops would be scaled up to other colleges within the university to ensure comprehensive coverage of this critical issue.
The workshop forms part of the EAC’s Electronic Waste Management Plan (E-Waste MP), which was developed to address the growing challenge of electronic waste across its member states, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the EAC’s environmental and social commitment plan, managing e-waste is crucial not only for protecting the environment but also for safeguarding human health. In line with this, the EAC emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable e-waste management practices, such as recycling and proper disposal, which help to mitigate the harmful effects of toxic materials found in electronic products
The workshop covered the best practices for the disposal of these items, including recycling and recovery techniques that can be used to extract valuable materials from discarded electronic devices. This ensures that fewer toxic substances are released into the environment, and valuable resources are recovered for reuse.
Prof. Wokadala further appreciated the EAC’s generous support to Makerere University’s School of Statistics and Planning, noting that the school recently received 160 computers, laptops, printers, and other ICT equipment worth $0.5 million from the EAC. This donation is expected to enhance the school’s technological capabilities, further supporting the institution’s mission to provide high-quality education and research in the field of statistics and planning. Additionally, the EAC has provided funding to facilitate staff training in Data Analytics, a critical area for the future of research and decision-making in the digital age.
The Mr. George Magala, from the Ministry of EAC Affairs Uganda, also highlighted the importance of sustainable e-waste management practices not only in educational institutions but also across all sectors of the economy.
Mr. Mwikila explained that e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, growing at a rate of 3-5% per year. This growth is driven by the increasing use of electronic devices, coupled with their shorter life cycles. He noted that without sustainable e-waste management practices, countries in the East African region risk facing significant environmental and health challenges. Proper e-waste management not only reduces the harmful impacts on the environment but also provides economic opportunities through the recovery of valuable materials such as copper, aluminum, and gold from discarded electronics
The workshop concluded with a call to action for universities and other institutions in Uganda and the wider East African region to adopt sustainable e-waste management practices. The EAC reiterated its commitment to providing technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to help institutions manage e-waste in a responsible and sustainable manner.
This initiative demonstrates Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to align itself with global best practices in environmental management, further positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development in the region. By equipping its staff with the necessary skills to manage e-waste, the university is taking a proactive step in addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the digital age.
The three-day workshop represents an important milestone in Makerere University’s collaboration with the EAC, and it is expected to have a lasting impact on the university’s ability to manage electronic waste sustainably.
General
Advert: Applications for Summer School Community Resilience and Geo-visualization under increasing risks
On 2nd October 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially opened the re-constructed Makerere University’s iconic Main Building, and installed Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as the new Chancellor.
The event held at Makerere University’s Freedom Square, was presided over by President Museveni, the university’s Visitor, alongside First Lady, Hon Janet Kataaha Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports.
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including former Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, members of the University Council, administration, development partners, a delegation from the University of Bergen in Norway as well as alumni of Makerere University. The reopening of the main building comes four years after a disastrous fire that resulted from a short circuit destroyed the building in September 2020.
Speaking at the event, President Museveni congratulated the university for getting back the building which has been funded by the government of Uganda. He added that his initial concerns about the potential loss of student records, but he was relieved when he was reassured by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe that the records were safe.
“When this unfortunate incident happened, as Professor Nawangwe said, my main concern was the records of the students. For the building, we could construct a new one, and we have constructed it,” he said.
The reconstruction preserved the building’s historic exterior while modernizing the interior to enhance safety and accessibility. Traditional wooden floors were replaced with tiles and terrazzo, and pathways for persons with disabilities were added. The building also features more durable concrete walls, fire detection and fighting equipment, and a restored bell that rings every hour.
President Museveni also congratulated the university on appointing Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as Chancellor, succeeding Prof. Ezra Suruma. He praised Dr. Kiyonga as a longstanding and key figure in the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“Secondly, I want to congratulate you on having a new chancellor, in the person of Dr. Crispus Kiyonga. He is an outstanding cadre and leader of the NRM. He is a member of the central executive committee and has been very active in our efforts since 1980 when we were involved with UPM, so I congratulate him and I congratulate the University,” The President said.
The President explained the fundamental role of some disciplines at Makerere University such as Food Science and Quantitative economics. He also underscored the relevance of science disciplines to national development.
Hon. Janet Museveni, the Minister of Education thanked President Museveni for his swift response when Makerere’s ivory tower was destroyed by the fire. She also commended the President for providing funds for the renovation of the students’ halls of residence.
“On behalf of the education sector, I thank you, Your Excellency, for your immediate directive to fund the restoration of the iconic building and other critical projects at Makerere including the students’ residences following a request from the University Council. Your timely intervention, Mr. President underscores your unwavering support for the higher education sector and Makerere University in particular,” she said.
Dr. Kiyonga expressed gratitude for his appointment and emphasized his commitment to strengthening ties between the university, government, and the broader community. He promised to work closely with Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe and other stakeholders to align Makerere University’s research with Uganda’s development agenda.
Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the University Council, thanked the government for funding several projects at Makerere, including the restoration of the main building, the construction of the new building for the Law School, and the renovation of halls of residence.
“The restoration of the main building strongly symbolizes the government’s commitment to investing in Makerere University and indeed the education sector. In addition to the main building, the government has generously funded several infrastructural projects including the construction of the School of Law new building, the school of dentistry, the renovation of Lumumba Hall, the wall around the university, and several others,” she said.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the ministry of finance, planning and economic development for implementing the president’s directive and providing the necessary funding for these critical projects,” she said.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, thanked the President for swiftly approving the release of funds for the restoration of the building after he had presented the case to the Cabinet.
He also highlighted that the basement of the restored building will be reserved for a museum, and the university hopes to host the Luweero War Memorial Museum in this space.
When Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and I, came to the Cabinet to explain the cause of the fire, you guided the Cabinet to immediately approve the release of the 21 billion shillings that were required to reconstruct the building. Your excellency and Mama Janet, this afternoon, we have just re-opened the reconstructed main building, and the building is entirely funded by the government of Uganda,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to request the President that the government provides Makerere University with a road maintenance unit under the National District Road Maintenance Program.
He explained that such a unit would allow engineering students to gain practical experience by maintaining university roads and those in nearby communities. This initiative, he added, would contribute to producing well-trained engineers who could strengthen the construction industry in Uganda.
“We wish to enhance the training of our engineers through advanced technical and business development skills so that they can compete with international firms. We therefore request for your support, Your Excellency to consider Makerere University in form of a district for the allocation of a road maintenance unit as part of the district road maintenance unit program,” he requested.
“With this unit we would be able to train our students by maintaining the university’s roads and the roads of the surrounding communities. The ultimate aim is to produce engineers who will build strong constructing firms for our country. I pray that this proposal is given consideration in the next financial year budget.”
In response, President Museveni welcomed the idea and offered his support, agreeing that it would provide valuable practical learning for Makerere’s students.
“Regarding the road unit, that is a very good idea, I will definitely support that so that you can have your own road unit to teach your engineers how to make roads and how to build practically. I totally agree with that,” President Museveni said.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated the Mastercard Foundation for the support extended to Makerere University when the Main Building was gutted by a fire. “I received the first international call, from Reeta Roy, President of the Mastercard Foundation, who in a very short statement said: We are going to support you with one million dollars to help you recover the student records. Indeed, the seed sown by the Mastercard Foundation has transformed Makerere into one of the most digitalised universities,” he said.
The Guild President, Lubega Vincent Nsamba acknowledged the President for providing funds for the reconstruction of the main building, but most importantly providing funds to renovate the different halls of residence.
“I thank you for the funds that have been contributed to the reconstruction of the main building, but most importantly and particularly to the renovation of halls of residence. They have completed Lumumba hall and they are now at Mary Stuart,” he said.
“We extend a vote of appreciation for recognizing that need and providing funds to cater for that. This has not only contributed to the welfare of the students, and has also improved their academic life on Campus,” he added.
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