September 16, 2026: The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI), Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, has called for stronger collaboration with Makerere University to translate research and innovation into practical solutions, enterprises, and economic opportunities for Uganda.
The Minister made the call during an engagement with Makerere University leadership, researchers, and innovators as he toured a showcase of research, innovations, and enterprise initiatives across the University anchored on the theme: “Research Infrastructure, Emerging Technologies and Enterprise Creation.”
Welcoming the Minister to the tour of the exhibition, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe commended the Minister on his quest to have a deeper understanding of the ongoing research and innovations at the different Colleges and research centres at Makerere University.
During the exhibition, various Colleges across the University showcased research and innovation initiatives aligned with Science, Innovation and Technology (SIT), highlighting Makerere’s contribution to advancing research, technological development, and enterprise creation.
CoBAMS showcases research and innovations impacting transformation
The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) led by the College Principal, Professor Edward Bbaale brought together members of faculty, researchers and innovators who showcased research addressing a wide range of national development priorities.
The line-up of research at the exhibition included:
- The MONCAP model developed by Makerere University researchers for utilization and adoption by the Ministry of Water and Environment. The MONCAP (Model for Natural Capital Policy Assessment) was developed by Makerere University researchers based at the Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative CoBAMS in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority (NPA), and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
- The Clean Energy for Development research which aims at contributing to the realization of a sustainable energy transition and agricultural transformation. Through this research project, the Makerere University research team led by Professor Edward Bbaale, has come up with initiatives to build an economy that is resilient, inclusive and climate sensitive. The research team also exhibited the Maize Sheller machine, a key output of the research project.
- Information Dissemination Strategies for an Inclusive Energy Transition in Uganda’s Agricultural Sector as well as the Inclusive Green Economy Programme, and its correlation with industry and community transformation.
- Research featuring the Industrial Symbiosis and Scalability of Smallholder farming in Uganda, research outputs and tangible products from the Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, Energy demand and efficiency among firms and households, Promoting e-Mobility in Uganda, Ageism and dementia among older persons in Eastern Uganda.
- The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence, bridging research, education and outreach for innovation and economic development in Uganda.
- The Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive and Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) presented the Natural Capital Accounts models aimed at impacting sustainable development through mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change, as well as, the integration of the natural capital accounting into economic planning and budgeting.
- The Centre for Population and Applied Statistics (CPAS), which advances research, capacity building, innovation and outreach. The Centre strengthens data-driven decision-making through applied statistical analysis, population studies, and evidence-based policy engagement.
Research for an Inclusive Energy Transition
Presenting research titled –Information Dissemination Strategies for an Inclusive Energy Transition in Uganda’s Agricultural Sector, Dr Aisha Nanyiti, a researcher at CoBAMS and the Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative, emphasised the importance of ensuring that farmers have access to timely, accessible, and relevant information to enable them to adopt appropriate technologies and respond to climate and environmental challenges.
She highlighted stronger connections between research, technology and communities as critical to improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods.
Strengthening Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
Presenting the Inclusive Green Economy Programme, Dr Nicholas Kilimani, a researcher at CoBAMS and the Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative, stated that the programme provides senior government officials with knowledge and practical tools to address environmental and climate-related challenges.
He also highlighted the MONCAP (Model for Natural Capital Policy Assessment) developed for the Ministry of Water and Environment to monitor Uganda’s natural resource stocks and losses, including forests and water resources.
“The model is designed as a surveillance and policy tool to support government in tracking natural resource use and promoting sustainable management,” he added.
Turning Agricultural Waste into Productive Resources
Presenting research titled –Industrial Symbiosis and Scalability of Smallholder Farming in Uganda, Dr Kasimu Sendawula, member of faculty at CoBAMS highlighted how farmers can maximise farm-generated waste, share resources, and adopt complementary production practices to improve productivity and incomes.
Dr Sendawula reported that industrial symbiosis offers opportunities to farmers to make better use of available resources while reducing waste.
He articulated that strengthening such practices could support smallholder farmers in transitioning from subsistence to more commercially oriented farming.
Strengthening Public Investment Management
Dr John Sseruyange, a researcher and faculty member at CoBAMS, highlighted the Centre’s contribution to improving public investment management.
Dr Sseruyange noted that the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIMCOE) has trained more than 900 government officials, conducted research on public investment, and expanded its training activities at the regional levels including in Somalia.
“The Centre also supports the monitoring of project preparation to promote compliance with government standards, reduce resource wastage, and improve the effectiveness of public investments,” he asserted.
Promoting Student Entrepreneurship
Presenting the contribution of the Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre in nurturing student innovation and enterprise development at Makerere University, Dr Sarah Bimbona, explained that the Centre focuses on research, community engagement, and entrepreneurship development, with an emphasis on helping students transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises.
“Through the Annual Entrepreneurship Expo at Makerere University and stakeholder engagements, we provide students with platforms to refine their products, engage with industry, and explore market opportunities,” she stated.
Addressing Ageism and Dementia
Dr Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, a researcher and faculty member at CoBAMS presented research on-Dementia and Ageism among Older Persons in Eastern Uganda.
Dr Wandera reported that ageism and dementia were serious health challenges affecting the older persons. His research proved that the risk of dementia increases with age. He explained that isolation and living alone were key triggers of dementia. To address this, Dr Wandera called for stronger social connections and interventions to address the negative attitudes towards old people.
Moving Research from the Laboratory to the Market
In a wrap up meeting that brought together the University leadership, College Principals, Deans, Heads of Departments, Heads of Research Units, and selected researchers, the Minister emphasized the need to move promising innovations beyond the laboratory and into practical application, particularly through certification, licensing, procurement, and investment.
The Minister also called for thematic engagements around strategic national priorities, beginning with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Health and the Pathogen Economy, and extending to mobility, agro-industrialisation, advanced materials, digital transformation, and other priority areas.
He noted the need for a structured University–Industry exchange model to strengthen the two-way flow of knowledge, expertise, and practical experience between academia and the private sector.
The Minister stressed the importance of sustainable management of strategic research infrastructure, urging the University and the STI Secretariat to develop sustainable models for the access, staffing, maintenance, and utilisation of strategic laboratories and common-user facilities.
He underscored the importance of strengthening Makerere’s research commercialisation function to ensure that innovators receive coordinated support in intellectual property, regulation, standards, business modelling, investment, and market access.
The Minister highlighted the potential of the Makerere University Museum as a national attraction and educational asset, calling for a strategy that can position it as a source of both public value and sustainable institutional revenue.
In his research on “cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)” in managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, Dr Wandera noted that psychological interventions can improve mental health outcomes among people living with chronic conditions.
Makerere Reaffirms Commitment to National Development
The wide range of research showcased during the engagement demonstrated Makerere University’s contribution to addressing Uganda’s challenges through evidence, innovation, and enterprise.
In response to the Minister’s proposals, the Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe lauded the Minister for visiting the University and taking an interest in its research and innovation initiatives.
Prof Nawangwe reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to working with the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat to strengthen the connection between research, innovation, and national development.
“We are committed to working with the STI Secretariat to ensure that together, we contribute to Uganda’s development and prosperity,” Professor Nawangwe said.
The engagement marked a shared vision between Makerere University and the STI Secretariat to strengthen pathways that translate research and innovation into policy, industry, enterprise, and tangible national impact.
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