Deal Done – Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and Uganda’s Ministry of Public Service
A Group Photo at the end of the MoU signing
What a fulfilling way to start off the year 2024!
On Tuesday January 16th, 2024, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Uganda’s Ministry of Public Service.
Assoc. Prof. Robert Wamala, Deputy Director (Research & Innovations) at Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) and a member of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund Grants Management Committee (Mak-RIF GMC) in his remarks noted that this was yet the beginning of a deeper collaborative journey, forging a stronger bond between academia and the Government of the Republic of Uganda for the greater good of our society.
“The partnership we are about to embark upon is a testament to the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing education, research, and innovation. By joining forces, we aspire to create a synergy that will not only benefit our institutions but will also have a profound impact on the communities we serve” Assoc. Prof. Wamala said.
Through this collaboration, we aim to:
- Undertake joint research projects and studies that inform public service Human Resource Policies, and Management Systems and Procedures.
- Utilize research findings to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of the public service processes, procedures, and practices
- Establish mechanisms for continuous evaluation and improvement of the collaboration’s outcomes, including regular meetings, surveys, and feedback sessions.
Makerere University and Ministry of Public Service, Uganda shall encourage and facilitate cooperation in the following areas:
- Research, Data Management and Dissemination of Findings: Undertaking joint research projects, data sharing and utilization, and dissemination of research findings.
- Outreach and Public Engagement: Promoting careers in the public service through joint outreach activities as well as public awareness campaigns.
- Curriculum Development and Review: Ensuring that the curriculum for university programs aligns with the latest industry standards, competencies, and emerging trends.
- Capacity Building and Training: Organizing and conducting training workshops, seminars, and webinars on topics relevant both parties.
- Evaluation and Monitoring: Holding periodic meetings to assess the progress of collaborative activities, share updates.
This partnership between Makerere University and The Ministry of Public Service in Uganda is also testament to the recognition of the pivotal role education plays in national development. By aligning our objectives, we aspire to contribute significantly to the socio-economic growth of our nation, addressing key issues and providing solutions that will shape a brighter and more sustainable future.
Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Chairperson Makerere University Research and Innovations Grants Management Committee in his remarks said, “Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service was a sign that the Ministry is interested in what Makerere University is doing and therefore this will help the Makerere and the Ministry to achieve so much more”. Prof. Masagazi also shared that it is evident that some government institutions lack data and thus this affects the decision-making processes. Moreover, where data is available, it is not updated and worse still sometimes required or used data/information originates from uncredible institutions or people and this can easily mislead the policy makers, implementers, and the society at large.
Prof. Masagazi thanked the government of the Republic of Uganda for continuously (over the last 5 Financial Years) allocating. Ugx. 30 billion annually to support research and innovations at Makerere University. These resources have enabled us to support over 1,000 multidisciplinary research and innovation projects. Some of these projects are now having diverse positive impact in the communities while others are evidently showing the transformative potential. “However, Ugx. 30 billion is not enough, we request for some more also given the dire needs and rich potential within Makerere University. The last call for proposals brought in over 500 applicants, we cannot support all these. There is so much excitement in research and innovation at Makerere University” Prof. Masagazi said.
He thanked Mrs. Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, the Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Public Service for the earlier discussions held with the part of the Mak-RIF team noting that these are the discussions which have led to drafting and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. He also noted that, Uganda’s Ministry of Education requested the Mak-RIF team to explore/study challenges affecting girl child education in Uganda. This is one of the things we shall explore undertaking with Ministry of Public Service too. “We have the capacity to providing solutions to most if not all community challenges as long as we get to know what the gaps and or challenges are exactly” Prof. Masagazi added.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor Makerere University expressed the excitement to host the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service during her second visit to Makerere University for issues related to research. “Several visiting committees to Makerere University, some sent by the President of the Republic of Uganda have recommended that Makerere University becomes research led University and we are working towards achieving this” Prof. Nawangwe. He also noted that “Uganda is not yet benefiting maximally from the potential at Makerere University. We are re-structuring at Makerere University now, and we are being supported by staff from the Ministry of Public Service, Uganda”. If we want to be research led, then we must put research at the center of our activities and continue to ensure that we have an academic structure which supports research, Prof. Nawangwe emphasized. He called upon all the meeting participants to maximize the potential within Makerere University by embracing creativity and coming up with innovations that will create jobs for many.
Prof, Nawangwe thanked Mrs. Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Public Service saying, “Thank you Permanent Secretary for the continued support and advise that you give us here at Makerere University”. “What we are going to sign today is among the few MOUs Makerere University has signed with government in an effort to try and provide solutions to ease implementation of government work” he added. It is our task to contribute to addressing the challenges our country is facing. It is one of the ways we can all join in the efforts towards attaining development. To-date, Makerere University has recorded more than 800 multidisciplinary innovations ready for scaling so that we can create opportunities for the young people. “We are grateful that the PS is now the champion for Makerere University in government” Prof. Nawangwe said. Makerere University is already working very well with several other ministries in Uganda including Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries among others. We are looking forward to several other such opportunities.
Prof. Nawangwe also shared that Makerere University, and the Ministry of Public Service will also undertake a study to appreciate whether salary increment leads to better performance by the staff in question. Understanding productivity, performance in relation to pay is extremely important because the issue of salaries for today’s teachers is paramount. Moving forward, issues of absenteeism of teachers especially in rural schools in Uganda also needs to be studied. Are they consuming more alcohol and thus unable to appear and perform in the classes or are they teaching in many schools to earn a living? “We are open to other issues the Ministry of Public Service might have at hand for us to study because these are the real problems we want to research on and not imaginary issues” he added. He congratulated the team at Makerere University and Ministry of Public Service that won the research study grant, thanked the Mak-RIF team for managing the resources given to Makerere University by the Government of the Republic of Uganda and ensuring that the money is put into the use it is meant for.
Mrs. Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Public Service thanked all stakeholders for enabling processes to move to signing of an MoU. “This moment is exciting because I remember very well that this application process was very competitive given that several institutions applied for the research grant, but we (the Ministry of Public Service) won. We appreciate you (Makerere University) for opening your doors to the Ministry of Public Service” Mrs. Musingwiire said. “From the onset, we took you seriously. This is in conformity with the government efforts to improve service delivery” she additionally said. She also shared that everything which is now on paper, or ground could easily be referred to as here-say until research is conducted. We must therefore sharpen our tools and embark on conducting research and availing the evidence to guide work at the Ministry and elsewhere. More so, Mrs. Musingwiire said “We are grateful that this is the beginning, we have a list of needs or range of collaboration areas. The beginning is always one step, and we appreciate this step”. The prayer is that both Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service always leverage and benefit each other even more. She posed a question saying “Can this grow and become an annual collaboration? The department of Research and Standards at the Ministry of Public Service (also represented in this engagement by two Commissioners) is on standby to further leverage and engage in such collaborations”.
Other Makerere University Management team members who attended this engagement included the University Secretary, represented by Mr. Simon Kizito; the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Makerere University, Prof. Edward Bbaale; Director, Quality Assurance, Makerere University, Dr. Cyprian Misinde and the Director, Directorate of Legal Affairs, Makerere University, Mr. Hudson Musoke.
Compiled by: Harriet Adong, Communications Officer Mak-RIF
