The Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, and the Seychelles, H.E. Michael Lotem, has hailed Makerere University’s growing innovation ecosystem during a farewell visit to the institution on June 11, 2025.
Ambassador Lotem, accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Ariel Arviv, was received by Makerere University Council Chairperson Mrs. Lorna Magara and Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta. Also present were Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria, Deputy Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and Assoc. Prof. Amanda Tumusiime, Dean of the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art.
Mrs. Magara informed the visiting delegation that Makerere is evolving into a research-led institution with a focus on innovation and commercialization.
“Just last week, we operationalized the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre. It will coordinate innovations, startups, and industry linkages,” she said.
She emphasized the university’s shift from a purely academic institution to a driver of industrial solutions.
“For a long time, Makerere has been a knowledge hub with PhDs, but that knowledge hasn’t translated into industry,” she added.
Prof. Ireeta elaborated on the University’s efforts to manage intellectual property generated by research. “We have an Intellectual Property Management Office headed by a manager and a policy that guides ownership and revenue sharing,” he explained.
According to the policy, the university retains 60% of net revenue from commercialized IP, while the creators receive 40%.
He revealed that innovations from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and CEDAT are currently undergoing intellectual property registration.
“We aim to centralize IP registration under the university and work closely with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau,” he noted.
On funding, Mrs. Magara said that Makerere researchers have benefitted from both external grants and the government’s annual UGX 30 billion allocation through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
In response, Ambassador Lotem praised Makerere’s direction and emphasized Israel’s commitment to innovation, especially in agriculture.
“To maximize productivity, innovation must address both plant adaptation and the technology delivering nutrients,” he said.
He expressed interest in linking Makerere researchers to Israeli companies already collaborating with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), particularly in malaria research.
“One company has developed an eco-friendly technology to sterilize mosquitoes. Another uses drones to detect mosquito habitats,” he shared.
Ambassador Lotem also cited innovations tackling water purification and bilharzia prevention, noting that several Israeli companies are ready to pilot their solutions in Uganda.
“We know how to bring others,” he said, indicating openness to deeper partnerships.
Deputy Ambassador Arviv reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to growing bilateral academic projects.
“There are many opportunities and ongoing projects. We want to help them progress,” she said.
She also committed to facilitating formal agreements where needed.
“If it’s about student exchange, we’ll identify the contacts and work on a Memorandum of Understanding,” she added.
Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria recounted previous informal collaborations with Israeli institutions like the Bezalel Academy and Shenkar College. However, he noted they lacked formal MoUs.
The visit concluded with Mrs. Magara presenting Makerere University souvenirs to both Ambassador Lotem and Deputy Ambassador Arviv in appreciation of their support and interest in fostering collaboration.
