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).
By Moses Lutaaya
Kampala, September 4, 2026 — Makerere University and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have explored new opportunities for strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between Uganda, Japan and other African countries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering, materials and remote sensing, food value chains, energy, water and climate change.
The discussions took place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Makerere University Main Building in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room, during a visit by a JICA delegation led by Dr. Okano Takasei, Senior Advisor, Human Development Department of JICA.
Makerere keen to deepen collaboration with JICA
Welcoming the delegation, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, highlighted Makerere University’s long-standing tradition of research, international collaboration and contribution to knowledge generation in Uganda and beyond.
Prof. Ssali noted that Makerere has built a strong global research footprint through partnerships with institutions around the world, observing that the University is well positioned to deepen international collaboration as emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, continue to transform research and higher education.
“Uganda has a very long history of doing research, and particularly it has informed research findings in the areas global health research,” Prof. Ssali said, pointing to Uganda’s historical contribution to global scientific knowledge.
She cited the country’s contribution to medical and biological research, including early research on sleeping sickness, noting that Uganda’s unique research environment continues to offer opportunities for scientific discovery.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere’s history of collaboration with Japan is particularly significant, noting that Japanese cooperation has contributed not only to academic and research activities but also to infrastructure development and other sectors in Uganda.
She cited the establishment of the JICA building at Makerere, describing it as one of the visible symbols of Japan’s long-standing partnership with Makerere University.
According to Prof. Ssali, the building, which houses College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) disciplines of geology, petroleum studies and administrative offices, was constructed during her undergraduate years and completed within a remarkably short period.
Prof. Ssali said the long-standing relationship between Uganda, Makerere University and Japan provides a strong foundation upon which new areas of collaboration can be built. She encouraged the visiting JICA delegation to explore the University and identify areas where existing partnerships could be strengthened or new areas of cooperation developed.
“Please take time and explore and see where either you already have a footprint, where you’ve ever had a footprint, or where you could explore new areas,” she said.
Prof. Ssali added that Makerere was privileged to host the JICA delegation and expressed optimism that the visit would lead to meaningful and sustainable partnerships.
Strengthening Joint Collaboration through AJ-ASPIRE
Dr. Okano, in his remarks as leader of the delegation said the visit formed part of a broader JICA initiative aimed at promoting academic and research collaboration between Japanese and African universities.
He explained that the initiative was launched on the occasion of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama in September 2025, with the objective of strengthening academic and research partnerships between Japan and Africa.
According to Dr. Okano, the initiative is intended to benefit both African and Japanese universities by providing platforms for internationalisation, collaborative research and the exchange of knowledge, researchers and students. “We would like to play a role of facilitator between universities in Japan and Africa and Uganda as well,” he said.
He explained that JICA is currently promoting the initiative through three African hub universities where JICA already has ongoing projects and experts on the ground.
The three institutions are Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in Egypt, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya, and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Dr. Okano said the selection of the three institutions was informed by the presence of ongoing JICA-supported projects and experts who can facilitate collaboration between the hub universities and institutions across Africa and Japan.
The hub universities are currently coordinating research with Japanese universities in strategic areas, with E-JUST focusing on energy, JKUAT leading work on food value chains, and Stellenbosch University focusing on water and climate change.
Dr. Okano said JICA was particularly pleased to explore collaboration with Makerere University under the African-Japan Initiative for Research and Education Partnerships, known as AJ-ASPIRE.
He outlined three major avenues through which Makerere could participate in the initiative.
The first is participation in existing research programmes hosted by the three hub universities. He added that Makerere researchers could join ongoing research on energy, food value chains, water and climate change, thereby creating opportunities to work with Japanese and other African researchers.
“We would like to explore opportunity for researchers from Makerere University to participate in these ongoing research activities and expand collaboration with Japanese and African partner institutions,” Dr. Okano said.
The second area is the development of new research networks in artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering. Dr. Okano said JICA was planning to establish new research groups focusing on the two areas and would be interested in having Makerere researchers participate in the emerging networks. “We would like to also invite researchers from Makerere University to join these networks and implementation of future collaboration in these two research topics, aerospace engineering and AI,” he said.
The third proposed avenue is increased collaboration between Makerere University and E-JUST, which Dr. Okano said offers fully funded scholarship opportunities for African students through a programme jointly supported by the governments of Egypt and Japan.
He noted that a number of Makerere graduates have already benefited from the programme, including researchers who have pursued doctoral studies and research opportunities in Egypt and Japan.
Dr. Okano cited the example of Mr. Abdonoor Kalibala, a Makerere alumnus whom he recently met in Hiroshima, Japan, following completion of PhD in Mechatronics and Robotics engineering at E-JUST. Mr. Kalibala conducted research in Japan for up to six months under the supervision of a Japanese professor as part of his doctoral programme.
Dr. Okano said such programmes could help strengthen the movement of researchers between Uganda, Egypt and Japan and create lasting institutional partnerships.
He added that JICA is also providing small research grants to alumni of the programmes to help them maintain and expand research collaboration involving Japan, E-JUST and African institutions.
He said Makerere could leverage such opportunities to increase the participation of its students and researchers in international research networks.
AI, Materials and Remote Sensing and International Relations Set the Pace
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, said the visit followed an online engagement held a few weeks earlier between Makerere University and JICA, during which several areas and units within the University were identified as potential points of collaboration.
Prof. Wamala said these included the Makerere University AI Lab, the University’s International Office and researchers working in space engineering, particularly in materials and remote sensing.
He welcomed the transition from online discussions to physical engagement, saying the visit would allow JICA representatives to interact directly with researchers, academic units and University authorities. “This interest is being followed up through an in-person visit, which provides us an opportunity for JICA to engage directly with the relevant units and researchers at Makerere University,” Prof. Wamala said.
For Makerere, he added, the initiative provides an opportunity to connect the University’s research strengths with Japanese universities, research institutions and development partners to address shared development challenges.
Prof. Wamala said the University was particularly interested in identifying practical areas of collaboration that could move beyond general discussions to concrete research partnerships, joint projects and opportunities for students and researchers.
He noted that the JICA delegation’s on-campus interactions scheduled to take place throughout the day would enable the two sides to identify specific areas of mutual interest. “We hope these engagements will help us identify specific areas of future interest and provide a basis for developing concrete areas of collaboration under the AJ-ASPIRE,” Prof. Wamala said.
He reiterated Makerere’s commitment to strengthening international research partnerships and thanked JICA for its continued interest in the University.
Dr. Okano, was accompanied by Mr. Ito Idomu, Research and Advisor at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Osaki Mistuhiro from JICA headquarters, Ms. Eric Maeda from JICA Headquarters, and Ms. Ruth Mbabazi from JICA Uganda.
JICA follow-up meetings with Makerere research units
Following the high-level meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room, the JICA team, together with the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, proceeded to engage with key research and administrative units at Makerere University identified as strategic to the proposed areas of collaboration.
The delegation held meetings with the Makerere University AI Lab, led by Dr. Joyce Nabende of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (COCIS), to explore opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence and related emerging technologies.
The team also met officials from the Makerere University International Office, led by Mr. Mathias Ssemanda, where discussions focused on opportunities for strengthening international academic linkages, mobility and institutional partnerships.
A further engagement was held with the Department of Geomatics and Land Management, focusing on materials and remote sensing, led by Prof. Lydia Kayondo from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
The engagements provided an opportunity for the JICA team and Makerere researchers to move from broad discussions on collaboration to more specific conversations around research interests, expertise, existing projects and potential areas for joint work.
The visit marks an important step towards strengthening Makerere University’s engagement with Japanese and African research institutions under AJ-ASPIRE, while opening opportunities for researchers and students to participate in emerging international networks in artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, remote sensing and other strategic areas of science, technology and innovation.
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