By Monica Meeme
October 28, 2026: Makerere University, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has conducted training in the Research Information Management System (RIMS), to equip staff with practical skills in research management, graduate supervision and effective system application.
Organized by the CoBAMS leadership, the session also served as the official launch of RIMS at the college. The training was facilitated by the Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) and the Directorate of ICT Support (DICTS), specifically targeting graduate supervisors, academic leaders, research coordinators, and school registrars.
Staff Capacity in Research Management and Graduate Supervision
Welcoming participants on behalf of the Principal of CoBAMS, Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Deputy Principal, Associate Professor James Wokadala, underscored the importance of the training. He described the initiative as timely for strengthening research management and enhancing the effective use of the Research Information Management System (RIMS) within the College.
He recognized the presence of the Dean of the School of Economics, Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu, and the Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning, Dr. Margaret Banga. He also welcomed Heads of Departments, researchers, graduate training supervisors, and academic staff.
He encouraged the participants to engage actively in the sessions and collaborate effectively to achieve the training’s objectives.
Promote Graduate Research Tracking and Accountability
Associate Professor Julius Kikooma, the Director of DGT at Makerere University, stated the role of the Research Information Management System (RIMS) in complementing the Academic Management Information System (ACMIS) by addressing gaps in tracking graduate students’ research processes and progress.
“The system will enable the University to track students’ admission, thesis submission, defence and completion timelines, monitor their progress and strengthen accountability for delays in graduate studies,” he said.
He added that the system would facilitate the recognition and rewarding of staff who make significant contributions to graduate training and student completion.
He stressed the need for collective commitment to RIMS, noting that its effective implementation would streamline graduate administration and strengthen the monitoring of research and supervision activities across the University.
Enhance Research Progress Monitoring
Mr. Juma Katongole, the Deputy Chief I.T. Officer at Makerere University, pointed out that effective digital transformation requires continuous engagement between technical teams and the university community.
“Provide feedback whenever existing systems require refinement,” he advised, assuring stakeholders of the Directorate’s willingness and readiness to respond to their concerns.
Mr. Katongole, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to developing and managing technology solutions internally.
He commended CoBAMS for its constructive engagement with DICTS, acknowledging the College’s contribution to improvements in ACMIS.
DICTS Demonstrates RIMS Workflow to Strengthen Graduate Research Tracking
During his presentation on RIMS, Mr. Arthur Moses, the Acting Principal I.T. Officer at the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS), explained that RIMS enables supervisors and students to track research progress across four stages: concept, proposal, thesis and post-defence pending graduation.
“Students must be registered in ACMIS, while staff must be recorded in EHRMS, to access the system and participate in electronic supervision,” he advised.
Highlighting the ongoing plans to integrate Turnitin to support plagiarism checks, subject to consultations with the Makerere University Library, Mr. Opio encouraged the participants to actively use RIMS and ensure that the graduate students’ records are updated.
He stressed the need to train and onboard students to ensure they actively use RIMS to upload their research work, track progress and engage with supervisors.
Highlights from the Participants
During the discussion session, Associate Professor Mike Ibrahim Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics at CoBAMS, recommended leveraging existing college and departmental orientation programmes to introduce students to the platform and familiarise them with its functions.
He highlighted the importance of integrating the system with student academic progression processes.
Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, the Head of the Department of Population Studies at CoBAMS, proposed onboarding all students onto the system to ensure that those not yet captured are incorporated.
Contributing to the discussion, Dr. Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, a faculty member at CoBAMS, emphasised the importance of validating student records before migration.
Need for Collaboration to Strengthen RIMS Implementation
In his closing remarks, Associate Professor James Wokadala, the Deputy Principal of CoBAMS, commended the progress made in introducing the system at the College, describing it as a foundation for further development.
He urged the Deans and Heads of Department to the academic staff who had missed the training and encourage them to engage with the platform.
Way Forward
The Participants agreed to strengthen student onboarding and staff training, collaborate with the Department of the Academic Registrar to verify student records, improve system integration and automate academic progress alerts.
About the Writer: Ms. Monica Meeme serves as a volunteer in the College Communication Office. Having completed her fourth year of a Bachelor of Journalism and Communication, she is currently awaiting graduation in January 2027.
Future reference notes: Event-CoBAMS RIMS Training, Date: 28th October 2026, Venue: CoBAMS Conference Hall.