_{By Moses Lutaaya}

Makerere University, COBAMS Conference Hall – Friday, October 3, 2025

In a closing address at the COBAMS Annual Doctoral Colloquium, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of the Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) at Makerere University, urged PhD students to view their research as a vital tool in solving Uganda’s and Africa’s most pressing societal problems.

He reminded students and faculty that doctoral training at Makerere is no longer just an academic exercise, but a strategic national investment.

“PhD is not just about writing a thesis—it is about writing the future of our country, our continent, and indeed our planet,” Prof. Kikooma told participants. “Your research must be part of the solution to the challenges we face as a society.”

Prof. Kikooma began his remarks by reflecting warmly on his longstanding ties with COBAMS, describing it as “home” both professionally and collegially. He praised the college leadership for their foresight in organizing the doctoral colloquium and aligning it with the broader vision of the Directorate of Graduate Training and Makerere University.

He also noted the synergy between the colloquium’s theme and the Directorate’s recent graduate student induction theme which focused on “Positioning Graduate Training in National and Global Trends.” He said that this alignment reflects a growing institutional commitment to making graduate education more responsive to real-world challenges.

Prof. Kikooma emphasized the critical role that doctoral students play in shaping Uganda’s development trajectory.

“While the decision to pursue a PhD is personal, the outcomes of your research must not be. They must become part of our national assets,” he stated.

He encouraged students to look beyond the traditional confines of academia and to consider how their work can inform policy, address community needs, and contribute to sustainable development. In particular, he highlighted urgent national issues such as food insecurity, climate-related disasters, youth unemployment, and underutilized demographic dividends.

“We live in a country where a single flood can disrupt the entire economy. We have fertile soils but continue to face food insecurity. We are a youthful country, but we fear the youth because we lack solutions to productively engage them,” Prof. Kikooma said. “These are problems your research should address.”

Prof. Kikooma also used the platform to announce several ongoing reforms at Makerere aimed at improving the doctoral training experience. These include the introduction of an almanac—a structured academic guide outlining semester-by-semester expectations and milestones for PhD candidates.

He said the reforms were not designed to make the PhD journey easier, but to eliminate unnecessary administrative obstacles and ensure students can complete their programs within the planned three-year period.

“The university is ready for you. We are committed to ensuring that your journey is as smooth administratively as possible,” he affirmed. “But for that to happen, you must play your part.”

Additionally, the Directorate has introduced mandatory credit-based activities beyond thesis writing, such as producing policy briefs and participating in public engagement forums, aimed at equipping students with practical communication and policy translation skills.

Prof. Kikooma proudly noted that Makerere University remains Uganda’s—and the region’s—leading institution in doctoral training. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to becoming a “trainer of trainers”, emphasizing that no other local institution currently matches Makerere’s capacity in handling doctoral studies.

He called for greater collaboration between students, academic units, and the Directorate, describing DGT as an administrative coordinator that works to support frontline colleges like COBAMS in delivering quality doctoral education.

“We are not just about policy. We are your partners in this journey,” he emphasized. “And together, we can make your research work not just for your academic growth, but for the greater good of the country.”

In his remarks, Associate Professor James Wokadala, Deputy Principal of COBAMS, emphasized the significance of the colloquium, calling it a “timely catalyst” in the academic calendar. He applauded the leadership of the Doctoral School, the Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT), and the organizing team for mainstreaming graduate research into the college’s strategy.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with the university’s focus on graduate training and knowledge regeneration. As a college, we are strategically investing in platforms that enable researchers to contribute meaningfully to academia and society,” Prof. Wokadala said. Drawing from his own PhD journey, he encouraged students to remain resilient and proactive, reminding them that while facilitators provide the spark, “over 90% of the work must be done by the student.”

Prof. Wokadala also paid tribute to Dr. Kasim Sendawula, who was recognized for his voluntary coordination of doctoral activities at both school and college levels. “Dr. Sendawula is a true academic servant — committed, approachable, and selfless. We are grateful for his contribution,” he said.

Prof. Godfrey Akileng, Dean of the School of Business at COBAMS, echoed similar sentiments, applauding the organizing committee and student scholars for their enthusiasm and sacrifice throughout the three-day session. He offered special appreciation to students who, despite personal commitments or distances, showed up without fail. “Some of you paused political campaigns just to be present here. That’s how much this matters,” he noted.

Prof. Akileng formally introduced his graduate coordination team, including Dr. Caroline Twanjire, a recent PhD graduate from Hanyang University in Korea, who will now assist at the school level. He also announced changes in the Master’s coordination team and used the moment to advocate for institutional recognition of voluntary academic roles such as program cordinators. “Mainstreaming these roles in the university structure would enhance efficiency and further strengthen the graduate training ecosystem,” he emphasized.

To the PhD students, Prof. Akileng reaffirmed his commitment. “We are here to serve you. If something is delaying your progress, walk into any school — we are one college, one academic family.”

Dr. Kasim Sendawula, Coordinator of PhD Students at COBAMS, offered a structured evaluation of the colloquium under the theme “Interrogating Knowledge Frontiers: Doctoral Research as a Catalyst for Theory and Practice.” He noted that the program had successfully covered the doctoral journey — from research conceptualization to manuscript development for publication.

“We used a participatory approach that allowed rich engagement with experienced supervisors and presenters. The feedback from students confirms that the structure, content, and delivery were impactful,” Dr. Sendawula stated.

He highlighted key areas appreciated by participants, such as the quality of presenters, sessions on data collection and writing, and the interactive format. Suggestions for improvement included more days, clearer participant evaluation mechanisms, and additional data analysis sessions, which the organizing team committed to explore in future planning.

“This programme has been a success because of your active engagement. Let’s keep the momentum, and we promise to offer you more tailored academic support going forward,” Dr. Sendawula concluded.

Adding the voice of the doctoral students, Ms. Sylvia Namujuzi, Vice President of then newly formed COBAMS PhD Forum, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the university leadership, facilitators, and organizing committee on behalf of the PhD student body. She described the colloquium as “a rigorous but transformative space of learning, reflection, and growth.”

“This gathering has empowered us with insights not just to enhance our academic work, but also to transform our institutions and contribute to society,” she said.

Ms. Namujuzi extended executive committee’s’ gratitude to Professor Edward Bbaale, Principal of COBAMS, for championing the creation of the COBAMS PhD Forum — a unifying platform for scholars across the three schools to collaborate and support each other. She also acknowledged the Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Akileng, for opening the colloquium to the entire college, recognizing the growing need for cross-disciplinary dialogue among PhD scholars.

She thanked the facilitators, both present and in absentia, for generously sharing knowledge, and credited the organizing committee for their tireless work behind the scenes. Special appreciation went to her fellow student leaders, including Mr. Okelo George (President), Mr. Emmanuel Othieno (Finance), and others managing secretarial, coordination, and publicity roles across schools.

Student representative Mr. Vanecious Bbale Kirwana delivered a heartfelt message of appreciation on behalf of the PhD cohort, capping off three transformative days of intellectual engagement, mentorship, and peer collaboration.

Thanking the university and college leadership for both creating and actively supporting the forum, Mr. Kirwana emphasized the importance of in-person interaction, noting how the physical gathering fostered academic bonding and peer support among doctoral students.

Commending the emergence of organic student-led initiatives — such as a newly formed data analysis platform — Mr. Kirwana encouraged further informal groupings and knowledge-sharing spaces among students, building on the momentum of the colloquium.

“Let’s continue to create more spaces for learning among ourselves. That, in itself, is one of the greatest outcomes of this gathering,” he concluded.

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