General
Prof. Nawangwe launches MakGAP initiative to strengthen research: Rallies universities and researchers to liberate Africa
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has stressed the importance of research in national development, and the necessity to manage research grants efficiently and effectively.
Prof. Nawangwe challenged universities and research managers to liberate Africa from poverty through research. “Without research and innovations, we are not going to move our people, out of poverty,” he said during the Launch of the Makerere University Grant Administration Professionals (MakGAP) initiative held on 17th July 2025.
MakGAP will be a platform to advance the performance and recognition of research administrators at Makerere and other partner institutions of learning and research in Uganda.
The launch of MakGAP initiative was part of the four-day Expanded Strengthening of Makerere University’s Research Administration Capacity (E-SMAC) G11 Grants Administration & Management Workshop held from 14th to 17th July 2025. He applauded the Principal Investigator-Mordecai Tayebwa for winning the grant funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Encouraging national governments to invest heavily in research at universities, the Vice Chancellor highlighted that USA has developed and continued to be a dominant determinant in world affairs because of its strong universities and research centres.
“The USA is the most important country in the world because of its immense support to its universities’ research activities. Should they cease funding their universities handsomely, they will lose. And they know it. When you fail in your research, the U. S. government does not demonise or starve you; rather, it encourages you to try again,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor decried the low research output from Africa. “Africa’s contribution to global research output is only three percent. We have now decided to change that, but government funding to universities is still a big challenge. The research budget at Harvard University is bigger than Uganda’s national budget!”
Pleased to note that over 150 participants from different universities and research entities had convened at Makerere University to attend the E-SMAC G11 Grants Administration and management workshop, Prof. Nawangwe urged universities in Uganda to work together by implementing research and projects, emphasizing that only by working together, can serious impact be made. “We are strong together,” he stressed.
He disclosed that in three months (April to June) this year, he signed 300 research grant memoranda of understanding, pointing out that Makerere University is recognized as the most collaborative university in the world in terms of joint projects, collaborative research and joint publication. “With 100 new grants registered every month, Makerere University needs to have a critical mass of grants administration professionals to manage this huge research grants portfolio,” he argued.
The Vice Chancellor credited researchers and staff at Makerere University for ensuring that the number of publications rated by SCOPUS has increased from 700 in the Year 2017 to over 1,900 to date. He was optimistic that with the ongoing activities of the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) such as training of researchers and staff in general, as well as supporting of researchers during grant application processes, the number of research publications will double.
He explained that GAMSU was established in 2020 at Makerere University, to assist and support researchers to attract and win grants.
Taking into consideration that grants are most often taxpayers’ money in donor countries, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the need for researchers to account for funds and report on the activities of grants efficiently. “We should ensure that all our research and grant systems are working, and research funds are properly accounted for,” he advised.
He pointed out that grants are most often taxpayers’ money in donor countries. “If we do things well, we will continue to get grants from anywhere in the world, hence the need to account properly and to watch out so that a few individuals who fail to account for the funds, don’t spoil the opportunities or the reputation of an entire university.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the workshop and the grant administration professionals initiative were a result of the decade-long strong partnership between Makerere University and Northwestern University (USA) that involves collaborative research, academic exchange and capacity building. In particular, the two academic institutions have deepened their collaboration in research administration under the University Administration Support (UAS) fellowship through which systems and best practices of research management are imparted.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AND TOPICS
The workshop, organized by Makerere University and Northwestern University, was attended by over 150 people comprising research administration teams from universities, and research centres.
The universities represented in the training were Makerere University, Kyambogo University, University of Kisubi, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Brac University, Kabale University, Muni University, Uganda Christian University Mukono, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, Soroti University, Clarke International University, Busitema University and King Ceasor University.
Targeting faculty, research administrators (RAs) and finance and central office staff of universities and research institutions, the workshop aimed to: promote mentorship and peer-to-peer learning; build the capacity of RAs and faculty in grant writing and administration; foster cross-functional collaboration across disciplines and departments; enhance ongoing and future support; and raise the understanding of budget creation and funder systems. Corollary, there were presentations and demonstrations about how to tailor grant proposal writing appropriately; budget development and justification; compliance; subcontract management, sub-recipient monitoring and memoranda of understanding; the role of grants offices; kick-off meetings with project teams; and financial management, internal controls and reporting.
Other topics taught and discussed included peer-review processes; regional and international professional recognition of research managers and administrators; understanding funding opportunity announcements; project closeout and post-award processes; benefits of and professional growth through the MakGAP, Certified Research Administrator (CRA) examination and global research administration networks such as National Council of Research Administrators (NCURA), Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) and Research and Innovation Management Associations (RIMAs).
The workshop also helped in drafting and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operationalizing and enhancing Makerere’s grants management policy.
FACILITATORS
The workshop had six key facilitators; namely Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Mordecai Tayebwa and Harriet Nambooze, all from Makerere University, and Kate Klein, Bethany Ekesa and Elizabeth Nicole Christian, all from Northwestern University. Tayebwa is the Program Director and Principal Investigator of the E-SMAC program which is being implemented from July 2024 to December 2025.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza hailed Northwestern University’s collaborative contributions to Makerere, emphasizing that when she was appointed to head GAMSU in 2020, Northwestern University gave her comprehensive training in the field of research management, and five more Makerere University staff have attained similar training at Northwestern.
Prof. Nawangwe closed the workshop after officially launching MakGAP and awarding certificates to trainers and participants. He also accepted a request from Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza to become the patron of MakGAP.
The workshop was financially sponsored by the Robert J. Harvey, MD Institute of Global Health of the Northwestern University, the U. S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). It was facilitated by Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
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