Innovation
Belgian Embassy Delegation Tours Mak UniPod, Explores Future Partnerships
Makerere University through its Innovation Pod (UniPod) hosted a delegation from the Belgian Embassy in Uganda, accompanied by representatives from ENABEL and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on September 1, 2025. The visit included a tour of all ten maker spaces at the UniPod, offering guests a first-hand experience of Makerere’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Speaking on behalf of the Belgian Embassy, the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation, Mr. Michel Dewez, who arrived in Uganda only a month ago, expressed delight at visiting Makerere for the first time. He commended the university for its well-organized approach to innovation, noting that the delegation was impressed by the creative processes underway. He added that the tools and instruments available at the UniPod not only support students but also extend benefits to the wider community.
Representatives from ENABEL described the UniPod as an “impressive and inspiring place” for their very first external engagement. They applauded Makerere not just for generating innovative ideas but also for translating them into tangible businesses already creating jobs. Congratulating the hosts, they highlighted the shared belief in innovation as a pathway to addressing challenges, creating employment, and empowering young people, particularly women. They equally expressed ENABEL’s readiness to actively seek future opportunities for synergy and collaboration.
The Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Ian King, also praised the creativity on display, emphasizing UNDP’s strong commitment to innovation and progress. He noted that with Africa being the youngest continent, innovation is vital in addressing its pressing challenges. He expressed admiration for Makerere’s success in translating academic ideas into applicable solutions and called for the scaling of the most promising innovations through partnerships with the private sector and investors. Mr. King reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to Makerere, stressing that the organization views itself not as a donor but as a facilitator helping to identify ideas, merge solutions, and support partners in scaling them despite a challenging global financial context.
On behalf of the University, the Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala extended a warm welcome to the guests. He expressed gratitude to the Belgian Embassy delegation, as well as UNDP and ENABEL representatives for their unwavering support towards Uganda’s development. He described the Innovation Pod as a hub where students, researchers, and innovators transform ideas into solutions for pressing societal needs. Prof. Wamala emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda aligns closely with Belgium’s focus areas, including climate change, agriculture, health systems strengthening, digitalization, gender equity, youth employment, and governance. He further noted the importance of linking innovators at Makerere with regional and international counterparts to foster collaboration, digital learning, and scaling of innovations.
The Assistant Manager of the UniPod, Dr. Margaret Nagwovuma introduced the Innovation Centre and its mandate. Established in 2020 under the Office of the Vice Chancellor, the Centre seeks to translate research outputs into commercial projects, focusing on ideation, protection, commercialization, and scaling of innovations. She added that the unit transitioned into an Innovation Pod in 2024 with support from UNDP and established ten maker spaces, including a studio used for recording lectures and presentations. She highlighted that the Centre is evolving into the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC), with a vision of enhancing commercialization and industry linkages to promote sustainable industrialization. Dr. Nagwovuma further emphasized inclusivity, highlighting programs designed to support students, staff, industry partners, the private sector, and marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities and refugees.
During the tour, the delegation interacted with innovators who showcased their solutions. One of the highlights was a researcher who has developed a clinically tested malaria syrup effective against resistant strains. Already recognized internationally in Pakistan, South Africa, Kenya, and the UK, the innovation is progressing through advanced clinical trials and is seeking industry partnerships for commercialization. Another innovator, Ms. Rebecca, a Bachelor of Science in Palliative Care student and founder of Alpha My Africa, presented reusable menstrual packs designed to address menstrual poverty. Her initiative has already reached 300 girls in five schools across Wakiso and Mityana districts and is training 30 youth to replicate the work in their communities.
The visit reaffirmed Makerere University’s position as a hub for transformative ideas and meaningful partnerships. By opening its doors to international collaborators and development partners, the UniPod continues to drive inclusive, youth-led innovation that responds to Uganda’s needs and contributes to global progress.
Engineering, Art & Tech
Makerere’s CEDAT Hosts Groundbreaking LIVWA Workshop on Advanced Climate Modelling for Lake Victoria Water Level Management
By Carol Kasujja and Betty Kyakuwa
Running a side business alongside full-time employment has become an increasingly popular venture among staff. For many, it is a way to supplement income and build financial resilience. For Ms. Rebecca Talikaza, a 48-year-old custodian, it has become a pathway to transformation. Talikaza successfully balances her office responsibilities with her growing enterprise, Beckiz Bathing Sponge.
“For the years I have been running Beckiz Bathing Sponge, my side business has not affected my work. I have a support system at home, and I have learnt how to utilize my time well,” she explains.
Turning Necessity into Opportunity
Talikaza’s entrepreneurial journey began during the COVID-19 period, when schools reopened. While preparing to take her first-born son back to school, she realized he did not have a bathing sponge. A search in nearby supermarkets in Nakwero proved futile.
“When I failed to get a bathing sponge, I went back home and looked for some material I had bought earlier. I became creative and decided to knit one using skills I had acquired in primary school,” she recalls.
As she worked, a neighbor noticed her and expressed interest. “When I told her I was knitting a sponge, she asked me to make four for her,” Talikaza says. After completing the order, her neighbor paid her UGX 20,000.
That same day, a boda boda rider she had sent on an errand also requested one. “He told me instead of giving him money, I should give him a sponge. That is when it hit me—I could actually make money from this. Every home needs two or three sponges,” she says.
From Small Orders to Supermarket Shelves
Encouraged by the demand, Talikaza approached Babis Supermarket in Nakwero with her sample. She requested to supply her products after noticing the gap in the market. The manager agreed and asked her to produce two dozen sponges for distribution across five branches.
She also secured a similar opportunity with Shop Wise Supermarket in Manyangwa Village. “Both supermarkets accepted, but it took me three weeks to deliver. I had to sacrifice my sleep, sometimes working until 2:00 a.m. to meet the demand,” she says.
Her first delivery earned her UGX 54,000 per dozen, with each sponge retailing at UGX 5,000. Drawing on knowledge from her Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration at Makerere University Business School, Talikaza realized the importance of branding and packaging. “I knew I had to register my business and package my products well because my target customers value quality,” she explains.
Improved packaging doubled the price of her sponges from UGX 5,000 to UGX 10,000. Since then, the business has steadily grown, enabling her to pay school fees and purchase land.
Challenges Along the Way
Despite her success, Talikaza faces challenges, particularly with delayed payments from supermarkets.
“Some supermarkets take long to pay, yet I need money to buy materials, so I end up using funds from other sources,” she says.
She also points to the difficulty small businesses face in meeting formal requirements. “Some supermarkets require invoices, which is challenging for small businesses like mine. Without them, we are taxed heavily,” she adds.
Advice on Managing a Side Hustle
Talikaza emphasizes discipline, sacrifice, and humility as key ingredients for success. “Never despise humble beginnings. Side businesses do not accommodate laziness. If it means working late, do so to ensure growth and profit,” she advises.
She also stresses the importance of fairness and teamwork, noting that she employs her children and a maid to help with production—and pays them weekly. To maintain professionalism, Talikaza draws a clear boundary between her job and her business.
“Your office work should not suffer because of your side hustle. I do not sell my products at the University. Those who need them can find them in supermarkets,” she says. She recommends careful time management, dedicating working hours to official duties and reserving evenings or weekends for business.
Efficiency, she adds, is critical. “I do not leave work to buy materials. I send a boda boda rider who delivers on time. He even helps monitor stock in supermarkets,” she explains. Above all, Talikaza encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to build businesses around passion and knowledge.
“Understand your business—its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Also know your target market to avoid being cheated,” she says.
At a Glance
Born to Mr. Nathan Magoola and the late Gladys Magoola, Talikaza hails from Iganga District. She attended Iganga Municipal Council Primary School before joining St. Peter’s Secondary School, Naalya, for both O-Level and A-Level.
She later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University, followed by a Master’s degree in Gender and Women Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.
The 10th born in a family of 14, Talikaza is a mother of six children.
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