Innovation
Government of Uganda reaffirms commitment to AI-Driven Innovation in Health and Development
In an increasingly interconnected world, the unseen links of global health risk are growing stronger. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are on the rise, fueled by humanitarian crises, conflict, fragile health systems, weak surveillance, and the ceaseless movement of people and goods. The World Health Organization now processes more than 100,000 health signals each month, each one a potential sign of an unusual illness pattern or outbreak in the making. Between 1996 and 2023, more than 3,000 global outbreak events were reported, affecting millions and revealing the vulnerabilities of even the most advanced health systems. Many of these diseases are zoonotic, capable of leaping from animals to humans and igniting epidemics or pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 laid bare how swiftly such threats can upend societies, economies, and entire ways of life, and how urgently the world must strengthen its capacity to predict, detect, and respond.
It is within this complex and evolving landscape that Makerere University has convened the second Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Africa Conference from November 6–7, 2025, bringing together researchers, technologists, policymakers, and health leaders to explore how AI and digital innovation can redefine the continent’s disease surveillance and health resilience. Building on the momentum of its 2024 inaugural edition, this year’s conference advances the mission of accelerating responsible AI adoption across African health systems. Last year’s gathering sparked key collaborations, among them, partnerships between Makerere University’s AI Lab and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), and deeper engagement with the Health AI for All Network (HAINET), laying the foundation for transformative, data-driven health ecosystems. From Sunbird AI, which supports real-time health data analytics, to AirQo, a platform using AI to monitor air quality and its health impacts, and the Makerere AI Health Lab, pioneering intelligent diagnostic and decision-support tools, these initiatives illustrate the tangible potential of African-led innovation.
As the second conference unfolds, it reflects not only a regional awakening to the power of AI but also a continental commitment to shaping the global health future from within Africa. These existing health risks demonstrate the urgent need to change the status quo and tackle these challenges decisively. However, doing so requires that resources, intensified surveillance, and capacity building be urgently prioritised across the continent, particularly to address regional bottlenecks and support countries that are ill-prepared to detect and contain disease outbreaks. Universities have a fundamental role to play in these processes as centers of innovation, research, and capacity building.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Uganda’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, underscored the government’s commitment to fostering technological growth through the Life Sciences Innovation Centre. The centre, she explained, was established to support technology-based enterprises that possess scalable innovations but face challenges in expanding their reach.
Dr. Musenero emphasized that “this is the season for Uganda to make its mark globally” by actively engaging in the development and production of artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to enhance service delivery across sectors. She commended Makerere University for its ongoing AI-focused initiatives and urged the institution to continue positioning itself at the forefront of research and innovation in the field. Dr. Musenero further pledged the Government of Uganda’s continued support towards efforts that strengthen the country’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to the global AI ecosystem.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi highlighted the central theme of the conference addressing the needs of vulnerable communities that continue to face the burden of infectious diseases and limited access to quality healthcare, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. He observed that artificial intelligence (AI) in health presents a powerful equalizer, offering innovative solutions to bridge gaps in access and service delivery.
Prof. Buyinza further emphasized that progress in AI should not be driven by competition but by collaboration and knowledge sharing. He called on researchers, innovators, and policymakers to work collectively toward ensuring that advancements in AI serve the greater good of society.
The conference also show cased a range of innovative AI-driven solutions addressing critical challenges in health and development across Africa. Among the highlights was the Sam Photo App, an ethical and scalable AI platform designed for child nutritional monitoring, promoting sustainable approaches to early health intervention. Another innovation, the AI-Augmented Monitoring and Evaluation System, aims to redefine data utilization for building resilient and sustainable health systems on the continent. From Kenya, ICUConnect demonstrated the potential of machine learning through its web-based dashboard that streamlines referrals and ICU bed coordination, complete with time-series forecasting of bed demand in public hospitals. Additionally, a team of Ugandan researchers presented a project on Integrating GeoAI and Spatial Machine Learning for Malaria Prediction, show casing how data-driven insights can support proactive disease management.
Dr. Musenero’s message was clear, that Uganda’s moment to lead in technological innovation has arrived. With government support and academic collaboration, the country is poised not only to adopt emerging technologies but to shape them to transform local challenges into global contributions through the power of AI.
Innovation
Makerere University supports the Ministry of Public Service to develop and Roll Out Productivity Measurement Information System (Pro-MIS) to Boost Efficiency in Delivery
By Moses Lutaaya
KAMPALA – The Productivity Measurement Information System (Pro-MIS), a digital platform designed to assess, monitor, and improve productivity across Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and local governments, was developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers led by Prof. Robert Wamala, the Director for Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, with funding from the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
The system is now being rolled out by the Government of Uganda in collaboration with Makerere University as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening efficiency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in public service delivery.
Prof. Wamala said the development of the Productivity Measurement Framework and Pro-MIS system was motivated by the persistent challenge of measuring how effectively public institutions convert resources into tangible outputs.
He explained that while institutions routinely report activities and outputs, the missing link has been the ability to measure efficiency in the use of inputs to generate results.
“The big question has always been, how do we measure productivity? We are pumping resources into institutions, but how do we know that what is being produced is efficient and impactful?” Prof. Wamala said.
He noted that the framework introduces a structured approach to productivity measurement across government, focusing on inputs, processes, outputs, and outcomes, and enabling data-driven policy and management decisions.
Prof. Wamala added that Makerere University remains committed to supporting government in strengthening innovation systems that improve public sector performance and service delivery.
In a special, Prof. Wamala extended his sincere gratitude to The Ministry of Public Service (MoPS) especially Permanent Secretary and Department of Management Services for the visionary partnership and leadership, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for rallying scientists to support evidence-based policy, Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), Chairperson Prof. Fred Musagazi Masaazi, and the GMC for the funding as well as The District Staff who volunteered to validate tools and gave us data for the development of the Framework.
The rollout engagement brought together representatives from several “champion institutions” selected to pioneer implementation of the system, including the Office of President, Office of Prime Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; Government Analytical Laboratory, Public Service Commission, Education Service Commission, Makerere University Business School, Ministry of Internal Affairs, among others.
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Mr. Rogers Kaija Irumba, said government is introducing champion institutions to lead the rollout of productivity measurement across the public sector.
He explained that the initiative is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at institutionalizing performance and productivity tracking in government operations.
“We are trying to bring on board a number of champion institutions. This is a new concept. So we are trying to bring on board a number of institutions to champion the entire productivity concept,” Mr. Kaija said.
He noted that government is strengthening systems that will allow productivity to be measured systematically at all levels of the public service.
Mr. Kaija emphasized that the initiative aligns with the National Development Plan IV and the Public Sector Transformation Programme, which prioritize efficiency, accountability, and results-based management.
He further explained that productivity measurement is expected to support government efforts to demonstrate value for money and improve service delivery outcomes.
On her part, the Commissioner for Management Services at the Ministry of Public Service, Ms. Allen Kakama, said productivity measurement addresses a long-standing gap in public sector performance evaluation.
She explained that productivity differs from performance management in that it focuses on the relationship between inputs used and outputs produced.
“Productivity is looking at how much resources you have used to produce an output. It is different from performance appraisal, which looks at whether targets have been achieved,” she said.
Ms. Kakama noted that the Pro-MIS system will enable government to measure productivity at institutional, departmental, and individual levels, helping to identify efficiency gaps and improve service delivery.
She added that the system will help reduce wastage and improve the quality and speed of public service outputs.
“We want to reduce wastage and improve efficiency. If two institutions are given the same resources, but one produces better quality and faster outputs, then we must be able to measure and understand that difference,” she said.
She emphasized that the system will strengthen accountability, improve decision-making, and enhance overall public sector performance.
The Government of Uganda said Pro-MIS will initially be piloted in selected institutions before being scaled up across all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments nationwide.
Following successful development of the Integrated Electronic Pre-Award Grants Management System for Sponsored Research, the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) at Makerere University held a dissemination workshop, to onboard the University leadership, principal investigators, researchers, staff and partner institutions.
Held on Friday 6th March 2026, the dissemination workshop provided a platform to demonstrate the Integrated Electronic Pre-Award Grants Management System for sponsored research at Makerere University, and to receive instant feedback from physical and virtual participants.
Participants were drawn from the University leadership, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the University Secretary, the Director-Graduate Training, Director-Research, Partnerships and Networking, Principals, Deputy Principals, Deans, Heads of Department, Principal Investigators, researchers, Heads of Administrative Units, representatives from international partner institutions, and members of the Grants Management Steering Committee (GMSC).
Welcoming the internal and external stakeholders to the dissemination workshop, the Head of GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, emphasized that feedback from the participants was a vital step, that would not only enrich the grants management and administration processes, but also contribute to refining the system.
Expressing GAMSU’s commitment to the automation of the entire grants cycle, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza credited the University leadership, the research project team members, and the different units within Makerere University, as well as, international partners, for the support rendered to GAMSU in developing the system.
The Integrated Electronic Pre-Award Grants Management System
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza highlighted that the initiative responds to growing global competition for research funding and longstanding administrative challenges that researchers have faced when accessing and managing grants.
This digital initiative is designed to modernise how the institution handles research funding applications and administrative workflows before awards are granted. The system, aims to streamline the entire grant application lifecycle — from identifying funding opportunities to proposal preparation, compliance review, reporting, and closeout management.
Recognition of the Project team
Headed by Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza (Principal Investigator), the project team members include the following: Denis Michael Wamala (I.T Specialist), Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala (Senior Researcher-GMSC), Prof. Charles Masembe (Senior researcher-GMSC), Ivan Mutyaba (Grants Administrator-IREX Alumnus), Mordecai Tayebwa (Grants Manager-IREX Alumnus, Esther Kabinga (Legal Affairs Advisor), Innocent Tumwebaze (Early-Career researcher), Caroline Nabwire (Grants Administrator-GAMSU), Harriet Nambooze (Senior Grants Administrator) , and Victor Chris Watasa (System’s Design Consultant).
Acknowledgment of funding partners
The development of the Integrated Pre-Award Grants Management System was supported by the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) through funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional contributions from Makerere University.
Institutional leadership welcomes system development
On behalf of the University Management, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, lauded the Principal Investigator, Prof.Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza and her project team, for the development of the system aimed at digitizing the pre-award grant processes at Makerere University.
Opening the dissemination workshop, Prof. Ireeta, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Grants Management Steering Committee (GMSC), highlighted that the Integrated Electronic Pre-Award Grants Management System, would significantly benefit Makerere University and the researchers.
Prof. Ireeta emphasized that as Makerere University continues to implement its research agenda, the funding question becomes paramount. Acknowledging that funding through grants significantly facilitates research undertakings at Makerere University, Prof. Ireeta underscored the value of the Integrated Electronic Pre-Award Grants Management System, as an excellent addition, to existing processes aimed at amplifying the research profile of the University, as well as, streamlining grants management and administration.
“If we maximally utilize the system, the University and its researchers will be better placed to apply, attract and win grants, which will definitely boost the grant and research profile of this institution,” he said.
He encouraged the participants to actively follow the proceedings, and provide constructive input during the feedback session, in order to contribute to the refinement of the system.
Format of the dissemination workshop
The dissemination workshop featured a series of presentations including: Makerere University’s Strategic Research Direction; the Context of Administration and Management of Grants at Makerere University; Project Overview; Purpose and Objectives of the workshop; Overview of the Pre-Award Grants System Development; Technical demonstration of the system; and the Discussion and Stakeholder Feedback session.
The benefits of the system and the challenges it seeks to address
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Head of GAMSU and Principal Investigator of the project, explained that the electronic pre-award system addresses several structural challenges in research grant management.
She said Makerere University faces increasing global competition for research funding. “Grants have become highly competitive, and we need stronger institutional strategies to support our researchers,” she said.
According to Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, the previous grant management environment was fragmented because different university units operated independent systems. The new platform seeks to streamline processes and support database-driven decision-making for capacity building and institutional planning.
She explained that the system is designed to support researchers even before they begin writing proposals. “Understanding the funder’s requirements is critical. If a researcher does not clearly understand what the funder is asking for, even a well-written proposal may fail to secure funding,” she said.
The Head of GAMSU stressed that transparency and accountability were central goals of the system. “With proper work logs and documentation, we can demonstrate accountability in grant administration,” she added.
She noted that principal investigators often require institutional documents such as audit reports and registration information when applying for grants. Centralised data storage, she said, would make such information more accessible.
Support for researchers, not replacement for individual applications
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamuzusa clarified that the system does not eliminate individual grant applications. “GAMSU is providing support to researchers. We want our staff to compete favourably within the global research community,” she said.
She explained that academic staff operate at different career levels. “Some staff are new to research grant applications and may need guidance. Others are experienced. Our role is to provide support whenever it is needed,” she stated
Addressing challenges in grant administration
The Head of GAMSU identified several challenges motivating the system’s development. These include: increasing international competition for research funding, fragmented awareness of funding opportunities across university units, limited coordination between researchers, colleges, and administrative structures, capacity gaps in grant proposal development, heavy reliance on manual administrative processes and limited institutional data for strategic planning.
She pointed out that GAMSU’s role is coordination, compliance, and institutional oversight rather than revenue collection.
Leaders and Researchers urged to adhere to university policies
Presenting the Context of Administration and Management of Grants at Makerere University, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda-University Secretary, articulated that the University Council, approved the Grants Administration and Management Policy in 2020, which provides governance guidance for research funding management. He appealed to participants to always read and make reference to the policy on matters pertaining to grants management and administration.
The University Secretary emphasized that research funds secured through grants are managed on behalf of Makerere University and the Government of Uganda. He therefore, urged researchers and principal investigators to uphold transparency and accountability when managing grant resources. “Funds acquired through grants must be accounted for within stipulated timelines and must demonstrate value for money,” said Mr. Kiranda.
In the same vein, he called upon research teams to follow the university’s human resource recruitment guidelines when appointing project staff.
Mr. Kiranda highlighted the importance of registering all grants managed across university units with GAMSU, noting that centralised oversight supports institutional accountability.
Director of Research highlights strategic research direction
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP), presented the university’s strategic research agenda. He observed that university partnerships have sometimes been underutilised due to the absence of supporting infrastructure, such as the pre-award system.
The university’s research mandate includes promoting research coordination, strengthening innovation capacity, supporting technology transfer, and mobilising research funding.
Prof. Wamala said the university’s research strategy is guided by a 10-year institutional development plan aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plans. “The vision is to build a sustainable, research-led university that produces a highly productive academic workforce and versatile graduates,” he said.
Priority research themes
In his presentation, Prof. Wamala outlined Makerere University’s nine (9) priority research areas for the next five years. These include: Health and health systems; Sustainable urbanisation and housing; Governance, social justice, and equity; Agricultural transformation and food security, Education systems development; Economic growth, business, and innovation; Climate change and natural resource management; Cultural heritage; and Science, engineering, and technology.
Prof. Wamala encouraged researchers to align proposals with these institutional priorities. He urged academic staff to access university policies available on the official website (https://policies.mak.ac.ug)
Graduate training and institutional coordination
Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training, said the establishment of GAMSU represents a major cultural shift in research administration.
He explained that earlier academic practice required researchers to independently search for funding opportunities and manage grants. “While that approach sometimes produced successful researchers, it also resulted in inconsistencies in proposal preparation and accountability reporting,” he said.
Prof. Kikooma emphasized the importance of institutional systems in meeting changing donor compliance requirements. He stated that grant writing involves two equally important components. “Approximately 50 percent depends on scientific proposal quality, while the other 50 percent depends on institutional compliance and administrative coordination,” he said.
He encouraged researchers to integrate GAMSU early in proposal development rather than treating the unit as a final review office.
Strategic investment in research competitiveness
In a document presented by Ms. Ritah Namisango, Prof. Charles Masembe-a member of the research team outlined the project overview, purpose, and workshop objectives, including system dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and functionality demonstration.
He stated that the electronic pre-award grants system is a strategic investment in Makerere University’s future research competitiveness. The digital transformation in grant administration will improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, and enhance access to funding opportunities.
Deputy Principal of CoBAMS applauds GAMSU Contributing to the discussion and stakeholder feedback session, the Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Associate Professor James Wokadala, commended GAMSU for the development of the system aimed at increasing the chances of winning grants. He appealed to GAMSU to cascade the training to the various units within the University.
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