Research
Makerere University Launches Knowledge-Sharing Platform to Drive Innovation and Economic Growth
Makerere University has launched a knowledge-sharing platform designed to bridge research, education, and community outreach, with the aim of accelerating innovation and economic development in Uganda.
The platform is the outcome of a project led by Prof. Edward Bbaale, which examined how universities can translate research, innovations, and institutional capabilities into tangible impact for communities, businesses, and national economic growth, in line with the government’s tenfold growth agenda. The project was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
The study also explored how university-based research and innovation can be better aligned with Uganda’s development priorities in agriculture, tourism, mineral-based industrialization, and science and technology, as outlined in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
Speaking at the launch, the First Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, said the platform would strengthen the link between academic research and societal transformation. She also noted that knowledge production and utilization is a political matter and urged researchers to meaningfully engage and participate in such converstaions.
Dr. Stephen Wandera, representing the Chairperson of the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee, described the platform as timely and relevant, noting that it comes at a period when Makerere University is positioning itself as a research-led institution with measurable impact on communities and systems.
“The knowledge-sharing platform will enable researchers to disseminate their work to relevant audiences,” Dr. Wandera said. He added that dissemination workshops are among several avenues available for sharing research findings and urged the project team to explore additional channels, including policy briefs, academic publications, and online dialogue platforms.
The Director of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, said the dissemination workshop reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to generating knowledge that responds to national priorities, advances innovation, and contributes to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
He added that the Directorate supports initiatives that move research beyond academic boundaries into practical application, policy influence, enterprise development, and community impact.
Dr. Peter Babyenda, the project’s Co-Principal Investigator, said the initiative combined research, outreach, and capacity-building activities, drawing lessons from global models where universities play a direct role in community development by supporting agriculture, industry, and the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. Ibrahim Michael Okumu, observed that while Uganda’s universities have produced substantial research, its translation into practical outcomes has remained slow. He cautioned that Makerere University’s relevance will ultimately be measured by the extent to which its work contributes to national development.
Dr. Babyenda noted that the platform will support the development of sustainable research, education, and outreach systems, helping to bridge the gap between university research and real-world application.
“As we launch this platform, I encourage academics, students, industry players, policymakers, and communities to actively engage with it,” Prof. Wamala said. “Let it serve as a living space for dialogue, learning, co-creation, and innovation.”
The knowledge-sharing platform is accessible to the public at www.dissemination.ug. Its launch took place at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala and was attended by officials from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Busitema University, and Soroti University.
The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) on 24th July 2026 accredited over 90 Senior Academic Members of staff that form Makerere University‘s Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in Good Research Review Practice (GRRP) after an intensive three-day Training. The closing ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA Prof. Sarah Ssali who was represented by the Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Tonny Oyana.
UNCST’s Role Appreciated
In his remarks, Prof. Oyana reiterated the core function that research plays in Makerere University‘s mission and noted that excellence in research must always be underpinned by excellence in research ethics. “Research Ethics Committees play a vital role in fulfilling this responsibility,” he stated.
“Your decisions influence not only the quality and credibility of research conducted at the University but also the trust that research participants, communities, funding agencies, policymakers, and the public place in our institution,” remarked the DVCAA, who underscored the pivotal role of RECs in upholding Makerere University‘s reputation as a centre of research excellence.
He therefore thanked UNCST for promoting responsible conduct of research and strengthening ethical review systems in Uganda through facilitating trainings for RECs in GRRP and other critical areas such as Good Clinical Practice (GCP). He equally commended the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP) led by Prof. Robert Wamala for organising the training, which continues to strengthen research governance structures across the University.
Incorporate RECs in Governance Structures
Presiding over the certificate award ceremony, the Deputy Executive Secretary UNCST, Dr. Martin Patrick Ongol congratulated all participants upon braving the three days of training despite their busy academic and research schedules. He equally commended Prof. Robert Wamala for ensuring that RECs at Makerere receive regular training and accreditation as mandated by governing procedures.
In the same breath he noted that RECs are key to ensuring that institutions conduct credible research and therefore ought not to be kept at the periphery of governance. “We would like to see that Research Ethics Committees get incorporated into governance and management structures of Makerere University – not like ad-hoc or adjunct entities within the ecosystem.”
Dr. Ongol equally called upon researchers and proposal writers in the room to ensure that issues of ethics are adequately budgeted for in the studies. “When it comes to participant compensation, we sometimes hit a snag,” he cited. He equally called upon members of RECs to ensure that issues of documentation are adequately addressed. “80% of noncompliance issues observed by UNCST are due to improper, missing or poorly handled documentation, and one of the ways of improving is through continuous engagement and we hope that we shall get there” he added.
DRIP and National Accreditation Committee Laud RECs
Prof. Robert Wamala whose Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships is at the heart of coordinating training with UNCST commended members of RECs, many of whom hold the ranks of Professors, Associate Professors and Senior Lecturers for sacrificing time to complete the GRRP Training. He reiterated that RECs are at the heart of ensuring that Makerere‘s research, particularly that involving human participants, meets national and international standards through harmonised ethical review approaches.
Adding her voice, Prof. Sylvia Angubua Baluka, a member of the UNCST National Accreditation Committee noted that in addition to RECs, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees play an important role in safeguarding the lives of animals that we depend on for food.
“I would therefore like to appreciate all Chairpersons and Members of Committees that are here; you are doing a good job and based on our site monitoring visits, we can address gaps in monitoring the research protocols you approve so as to have more impactful work and outputs that are more compliant with the ethical approval given” she added.
RECs at a glance
A total of 95 members of RECs took part in the GRRP Training as broken down below.
- Makerere University School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (SOM–REC) – 19
- Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (SBS–REC) – 17
- Makerere University School of Health Sciences (SHS–REC) – 15
- Makerere University School of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (MakSS–REC) – 5
- Makerere University School of Public Health Research Ethics Committee (MakSPH–REC) – 19
- Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS–REC) – 3
- Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES–REC) – 13
- Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB–REC) – 4
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