General
Makerere University, Psalms Food Industries Sign MoU to Advance Research, Innovation and Student Employability
On 21st July, 2026, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Psalms Food Industries Ltd, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry through research, innovation, entrepreneurship and experiential learning.
The agreement, signed at the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom, brings together Makerere University‘s academic expertise and research capacity with the practical experience of one of Uganda’s growing food processing companies. The partnership is expected to create opportunities for collaborative research, student internships, industrial training, knowledge exchange and innovation, while contributing to national development.
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Evelyn Nabwire Ssali, described Makerere as a leading research-led institution that values partnerships as catalysts for societal transformation. She noted that the University has established over 1,000 Memoranda of Understanding with partners across different sectors, creating platforms for research, innovation and knowledge exchange globally.
Prof. Sarah Ssali emphasized that youth unemployment remains one of Uganda’s greatest challenges and called for universities to move beyond preparing graduates solely for salaried employment. Instead, she underscored the importance of nurturing entrepreneurs, innovators and problem-solvers capable of creating jobs and addressing society’s pressing challenges.
She welcomed the partnership with Psalms Food Industries as an opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice by providing students with internships, industrial training and practical work experience that complements their academic studies.
“I was impressed by the scale of Psalms Food Industries and the immense potential it presents to nurture our students beyond the classroom. This partnership opens pathways for practical learning, entrepreneurship and innovation across disciplines from food science and agriculture to environmental sciences and business, preparing graduates to create solutions that transform communities.” Prof. Sarah Ssali noted.
Reflecting on the broader significance of university-industry collaboration, Prof. Sarah Ssali observed that research partnerships should not merely produce academic outputs, but generate measurable impact. She challenged institutions to develop innovations informed by local realities while remaining globally competitive, noting that universities have a responsibility to serve their communities through knowledge that transforms lives.
Speaking on behalf of Psalms Food Industries, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dennis Ngabirano thanked Makerere University for its swift coordination in formalizing the partnership and expressed confidence that the collaboration would generate lasting value for both institutions. He acknowledged the University’s contribution to the company’s growth journey and reaffirmed Psalms Food Industries Ltd’s commitment to investing in young people’s potential.
Dr. Ngabirano noted that Psalms Food Industries has already been working with Makerere students through internship and practical training opportunities, demonstrating the value of exposing learners to real-world industry environments. He encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and research while at school, explaining that SUMZ itself is a product of a course work assignment while he was a University.
“Do not fear starting small,” he urged, emphasizing that today’s small enterprises have the potential to become tomorrow’s globally recognized companies that create employment and transform communities. He further observed that Makerere’s research capacity, infrastructure and expertise present immense opportunities for industry to develop innovative products, anticipate market trends and strengthen Uganda’s competitiveness.
During the discussions, the CEO, Psalms Food Industries Ltd also proposed becoming one of Makerere University‘s official industry partners in the food processing and snack manufacturing sector, further deepening collaboration between the two institutions.
The partnership was warmly welcomed by representatives from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), who expressed interest in collaborating with Psalms Food Industries in agricultural research, value addition, innovation and practical student training. Present at the meeting also, were representatives from the College of Business and Management (COBAMS), the Advancement Office and Makerere University Technology and Innovationds Centre (MUTIC).
While chairing the ceremony, Ms. Hawa Kajumba, the lead Partnerships, Advancement Office noted that At Makerere University, our strategic focus revolves heavily on breaking down the traditional silos between classroom theory and real-world industrial needs. Signing this MoU with Psalms Food Industries is a definitive step toward achieving that ecosystem.
“By aligning our research with a homegrown manufacturer, we are creating a powerful mutually beneficial model for local value addition while simultaneously opening impact pathways for our students.” Ms Hawa affirmed.
The MoU represents a shared commitment to strengthening the innovation ecosystem by connecting research with enterprise, equipping students with industry-relevant skills and fostering entrepreneurship that responds to Uganda’s development needs.
Through collaborative research, internships, mentorship, product development and commercialization, Makerere University and Psalms Food Industries Ltd aim to demonstrate how strong industry-academia partnerships can accelerate economic transformation while producing graduates equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office.
During the afternoon of September 21, 2026, Makerere University played host to regional discussions as students, academics, and government officials gathered to commemorate the International Day of Peace under the theme “Investing in Regional Peace and Trade for Shared Prosperity”.
The event organised by the Makerere University 92nd Guild Security Ministry in partnership with the Global Peace Guild, served as the official launch of the East African Peace and Trade Law Moot Court Competition. The idea was conceived as an annual event where the youth across East Africa will gather to deliberate on the nexus between regional peace and trade in fostering regional integration.
Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of Makerere University Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga graced the event, welcomed the distinguished guests and set a reflective tone for the day.
Reminiscing about his old days the VC noted, “lecturers were the ones who used to come and talk about politics, economics, and law but somehow, somewhere, things never went well”. He appreciated the Students’ Guild, and all who were involved in organising the celebration and launch for a good job done.
Prof. Mugagga further encouraged students to look beyond the classroom, urging them to engage in critical debates in different sectors while emphasising that peace is a prerequisite for all development.
People anchor Trade – Keynote address
Representing the guest of honor who was the Minister of State for East African Community Affairs Hon. James Magode Ikuya, Dr. Andrew Musiime – Commissioner for Political Affairs, delivered a keynote address.
His entry was that you cannot talk about trade and not talk about people. Trade is done by people, and therefore as a Ministry, they facilitate free movement of people.
Dr. Musiime provided a comprehensive breakdown of the East African Community (EAC) as an intergovernmental organisation.
“So it is an intergovernmental organisation. Therefore, the governments remain with their constitution, the governments remain with their sovereignty, the governments remain with their national boundaries, the governments remain with their national laws, Musiime explained.”
He mentioned that the East African Community is anchored on the four pillars for integration that is the Customs Union, the Common Market, the Political Federation and Monetary Union.
Dr. Musiime equally challenged the students to move beyond theory, urging them to research the EAC treaty and actively participate in regional integration.
In a gesture of togetherness, he told the distinguished guests that the Ministry operates an open door policy for students and those interested in engaging can apply for opportunities across the Ministry’s various departments.
From UPE to the Halls of Parliament
The event also featured inspiring remarks from the National Female Youth Member of Parliament, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye. Reflecting on her own journey from Universal Primary Education (UPE) to the halls of Parliament, she delivered a powerful message on peace and security.
In agreement with Prof. Muggaga, she linked the day’s theme to the practical realities of trade, noting that sustainable trade can not exist without peace.
“This moot competition is therefore not just academic exercise. It’s a training ground for the next generation of East African traders, lawyers, negotiators, judges, policy makers who will defend the spirit of our East African common market and our custom union”, Kanyesigye told the attendees.
92nd Guild Calls for Embracing Dialogue
Hon. Denis Mabirizi, the Minister of Security for the Makerere University 92nd Guild, underscored the event’s purpose by highlighting that peace is the foundation for justice, opportunity, and cooperation. He then called upon the student community to reject violence and intolerance, urging them to use dialogue and established leadership structures to address their concerns.
Mabirizi also emphasized that universities are not just centers of academic excellence, but places where the leaders of tomorrow are shaped.
“Universities are not only centers of academic excellence, they are also places where future leaders are shaped. The conversations we have, the values we promote, and the decisions we make today will influence the kind of society we create tomorrow. Peace begins with each one of us, Mabirizi noted.”
The Global Peace Guild Initiative
Mr. Joseph Micheal Tenywa, the founder and President of the Global Peace Guild, shared the vision behind the organization. He explained that the Global Peace Guild was born out of a desire to involve young people in the promotion of peace, trade, and regional integration.
“Global Peace Guild is an initiative born out of a desire to have young people get involved into the promotion of peace, trade, and regional integration.”
He reminded the audience that regional integration would only become a reality when young people actively participate in the market and hold policy makers accountable.
“As we commemorate the International Day of Peace, it’s an invitation for young people to get involved, not only in ensuring that there is no violence, but that we also put in place the conditions that take our strength, and these are our economic provisions, we call it trade.”
The launch of the East African Peace and Trade Law Moot Court Competition marks a significant milestone for the student community as it brings together academic rigor with a focus on regional policy.
International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21, 2026, under the unified United Nations theme: “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”. The day emphasizes that achieving lasting peace requires continuous local action, shared civic responsibility, and strategic conflict mitigation to ensure long-term regional development.
Makerere University has urged female students admitted under the Makerere University Council Tuition and Functional Fees Waiver Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year to take the opportunity seriously, focus on their academic performance, and stay alert about their personal safety.
The message was delivered during an orientation for the scholarship beneficiaries at the Senate Conference Hall, where officials from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate welcomed the students and shared guidance on academic success, security, mentorship, and responsible social conduct.
The Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer cautions students on safety and self-reliance
Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer, congratulated the students on receiving the scholarship and urged them not to take it for granted.
She advised them to seek information from the relevant university offices instead of relying on assumptions or what fellow students tell them, and to keep records of official communication whenever they raise concerns or follow up on university matters.
Dr. Baine said students should take responsibility for their own security, warning them not to trust strangers easily and urging them to be careful about where they go and who they interact with.
She also reminded them that strong academic performance is required to keep the scholarship, and encouraged them to ask for help early whenever they face academic, social, or other challenges instead of waiting until the situation becomes harder to manage.
Students urged to aim for first-class results
The officers welcomed the students and encouraged them to put their studies first, urging them to aim for first-class academic results during their time at Makerere.
They advised them to use the academic support available to them, including help from course mates and any tutorials or mentoring offered within their colleges, and not to hesitate to seek assistance when they have concerns about their results or coursework.
The GMD team also spoke to scholars about personal safety, cautioning students against accepting help from strangers, including with luggage or transport, and referred to a recent incident in which a student’s belongings were stolen. She urged them to stay alert as they settled into university life.
Focus on academic foundations and safe social conduct
Other speakers, including Ms. Susan Mbabazi, who is the Principal Gender Officer, Ms. Abilat Lozirah, and Cynthia Ayaa Kamaketch emphasised the need to build a strong academic foundation from the start of the semester. They encouraged students to attend lectures regularly, read beyond classroom notes, use university resources such as internet access and the library, and develop steady study habits instead of waiting until exams are near.
They also warned students to be careful when meeting people they do not know well, advising them to hold academic discussions and social meetings in open, public spaces such as Freedom Square rather than in private rooms.
The students were also encouraged to seek mentorship from university staff and others who could guide them in their academic and career development, and to identify a mentor before leaving the orientation.
The orientation also pointed students to key university services and locations they should know, including the university health facilities, the Makerere Police Post, the Counselling and Guidance Centre, and places of worship on campus.
Speakers reminded the students that the scholarship gives them a chance to pursue their education at Makerere University, and that keeping it depends on their discipline, academic performance, and willingness to seek support when needed.
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