October 03, 2025: The Director of Graduate Training, Associate Professor Julius Kikooma, has urged PhD Scholars to ensure that their research delivers real life solutions, through bridging theory and practice, to contribute to the transformation of Uganda and the African continent.
The Director of Graduate Training made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the three days (1st to 3rd October 2025) College of Business and Management Sciences Doctoral Colloquium, held under the theme, Interrogating knowledge frontiers: Doctoral research as a catalyst for theory and practice. The convening comprised PhD scholars from the Schools of Business, Economics, Statistics and Planning under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Some of the seasoned academics and researchers who graced the closing ceremony include: Associate Professor Julius Kikooma-Director of Graduate Training, Associate Professor James Wokadala-Deputy Principal of CoBAMS, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng-Dean, School of Business at CoBAMS, and Dr. Kasimu Sendawula-CoBAMS Graduate Students’ Coordinator.
In his presentation, Associate Professor Kikooma challenged the PhD scholars with a pertinent question, “How do we make our doctoral research truly relevant to Africa’s development aspirations?”
Tasking the PhD scholars to ensure that their research meets Africa’s needs, Associate Professor Kikooma described Africa as a continent at the crossroads, facing deep challenges, and yet blessed with enormous opportunities. He pointed out challenges such as floods and droughts devastating livelihoods, food insecurity worsening under a rapidly growing population, and raising inequalities. Tackling the opportunities, Associate Professor Kikooma stated that Africa is young, dynamic and full of possibilities. He called upon PhD scholars to recognize that Africa has the world’s fastest-growing youth population and some of the most vibrant economies. He advised the PhD scholars to re-imagine their research so that it stretches across disciplines, borders and communities.
Underscoring the importance of knowledge sharing and dissemination, he stated: “Knowledge is not power until it is shared.” The Director of Graduate Training reiterated the need to translate research into policy briefs, community dialogues and actionable insights. “Your work as PhD scholars must travel beyond the university walls-to farmers, to schools, to governments, and to industries,” he guided.
Building on to Associate Professor Kikooma’s remarks, the Deputy Principal-Associate Professor James Wokadala encouraged the PhD scholars to present their work at national and international conferences. “Such encounters or engagements enable you to get international scrutiny of your work. A PhD study provides a critical understanding of the concept,” he remarked.
He implored PhD scholars or researchers to generate new knowledge, challenge the status quo, and contribute to community advancement and development. On the issue of initiative, the Deputy Principal, said: “Focus on your PhD work. Keep the momentum. You must contribute 90% output to your PhD studies.”
Highlighting that the College was intentional on graduate training and research, he pointed out some of the strategic approaches being undertaken to align the College activities to the research-led agenda of Makerere University. These include: Working closely with the Directorate of Graduate Training in the execution of its mandate, constitution of the CoBAMS PhD Forum, hosting of the Annual CoBAMS Doctoral Colloquium, production of CoBAMS research paper working series, nomination of Dr. Kassimu Sendawula as the Graduate Coordinator, and ongoing efforts to encourage joint publications among faculty and graduate students.
The Dean, School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, appealed to the scholars to prioritize their work. “The PhD work is yours, drive it so that you complete it on time, with tangible outputs such as publications, innovations and policy briefs,” he said.
He expressed the readiness of the college leadership and faculty to supervision, joint research and paper publications, mentorship, and provision of a conducive graduate training environment. He advised the PhD scholars to create time, and participate in the cross-cutting courses conducted by the Directorate of Graduate Training. He encouraged PhD scholars to actively participate in the activities of the PhD Forum in order to tap into multi-disciplinary research, collaboration, peer support, publication and networking opportunities.
Voice from the PhD participants
The PhD scholars highlighted that they had gained insightful knowledge to enrich their academic work-ensuring that their research is aligned to the development needs of Uganda and Africa in general. They testified that the networks built and knowledge acquired through the Doctoral Colloquium, provided a strong foundation to impact society.
On behalf of the participants, Mr. Venantius Bbaale Kirwana, a PhD scholar from the School of Statistics and Planning, acknowledged the importance of the colloquium, which grounded them on the topical issue of theorization and practice. “We, the PhD scholars, value the knowledge sharing, presented to us during the Colloquium. The guidance, counsel and mentorship that we have received will soften our PhD journey,” he said. Reflecting on the networking possibilities, Mr. Bbaale Kirwana noted that through the PhD Colloquium, which brought on board, PhD scholars from the entire College, a platform had been created for data analysis.
Voice from the Executive of the CoBAMS PhD Forum
The Vice President of the CoBAMS PhD Forum, Ms. Sylvia Namujjuzi commended the College Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale, and the Deputy Principal-Associate Professor James Wokadala, for the leadership and commitment to graduate training activities and programmes. Specific to the CoBAMS Doctoral Colloquium, Ms. Namujjuzi said, the three days convening, provided rigorous training on research with critical aspects from the beginning of the PhD journey up to the end. She stated that it provided an opportunity to engage with supervisors and seasoned professors. She acknowledged the college leadership and staff for the informative presentations on the entire PhD journey up to the level of developing a manuscript for publication.
Wrapping up by the Convener of the CoBAMS Doctoral Colloquium
Dr. Kasimu Sendawula, the CoBAMS Graduate Students Coordinator, noted that the Doctoral Colloquium provided a platform to interact and learn from experienced researchers at Makerere University in the fields of business, economics, statistics and planning. Dr. Sendawula was optimistic that the knowledge sharing would enrich the work of the PhD scholars. In addition, the networks built would inspire PhD scholars to work together during their academic and research journey.