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Islamic Solidarity Fund Delegation Visits IUIU, Strengthens Support for Education Projects

Times Reporter
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Islamic Solidarity Fund Delegation Visits IUIU, Strengthens Support for Education Projects

A delegation from the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) has visited the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) to assess the progress of ongoing projects and explore new areas of collaboration aimed at advancing Islamic education and community development.

The visit, conducted on August 2, focused on evaluating ISF-funded initiatives and reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to supporting IUIU’s vision of providing inclusive, quality education grounded in Islamic values.

The ISF has committed substantial support to several infrastructure and academic development projects at IUIU.

Among the major investments is USD 130,000 earmarked for the construction and equipping of a Nursing and Midwifery training block, designed to empower young women with essential healthcare skills.

The delegation also reviewed the co-funded modern library project at the Mbale Main Campus, which will include digital learning tools to serve both university students and the wider community.

In basic education, ISF continues to support Lukman Primary School through classroom refurbishment, scholarships for underprivileged learners, and teacher development programmes.

The visit also marked discussions around expanding international student sponsorships, including signing new memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to support students from conflict-affected regions. These MOUs cover both tuition and living expenses to ensure uninterrupted learning for vulnerable students.

The IUIU administration commended ISF for its long-standing partnership and its impact on strengthening academic delivery, student welfare, and institutional growth.

The visit reaffirmed ISF’s commitment to supporting education as a tool for empowerment, development, and peace in Muslim communities.

IUIU Hosts Global Scholars for 6th International Islamic Universities Conference

Zam Zam Nakityo
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IUIU Hosts Global Scholars for 6th International Islamic Universities Conference

The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) has officially opened the 6th International Islamic Universities Conference (IIUC), bringing together leading scholars and researchers from across the Islamic academic world for three days of dialogue and collaboration.

The conference, which runs from August 4 to 6, is being held under the theme “Integration of Knowledge Synthesis Across Disciplines: A Holistic Transdisciplinary Framework.” It is jointly organized by IUIU and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).

IUIU Rector Prof. Ismail Ssimbwa Gyagenda opened the conference and thanked the guests for accepting the university’s invitation. He acknowledged the support of the IIIT and emphasized the importance of academic collaboration in addressing global challenges.

“We are grateful to the International Institute of Islamic Thought for initiating and consistently supporting this important program,” Prof. Gyagenda said. “Collaboration in research is key, and we look forward to fruitful deliberations throughout the conference.”

The IIUC provides a platform for scholars from over six Islamic universities to engage in critical discussions on research integration and transdisciplinary knowledge frameworks that uphold Islamic values.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Jamilu Serwanga, IUIU’s Vice Rector for Academics, said the theme resonates with the university’s mission to be a “leading Centre of Excellence for Social Development.”

“Our aim is to create knowledge grounded in Islamic principles. This conference is a powerful opportunity to contribute to the growth of the Ummah through meaningful academic exchange,” he noted.

Dr. Mayimuna Nimulola, IUIU’s Director of Research and Innovation, traced the history of the IIUC series, noting that it was initiated by the IIIT to serve as a platform for Muslim academics to explore contemporary issues in Islamic knowledge and education.

She highlighted previous conferences, including:

  • 2014: Islamic Epistemology and Curriculum Development – Muslim University of Morogoro
  • 2016: Holistic Youth Personality Development (Tarbiyyah) in Higher Education – Islamic University in Uganda
  • 2019: Integrating Islamic Studies with Essential Social and Technical Competences – Sumait University, Zanzibar
  • 2021: Integration of Knowledge: The Way Forward – Umma University, Kenya
  • 2023: Major Trends in Islamic Intellectual Thought – Muslim University of Morogoro, Tanzania

Bro. Abdul Hamid Slatch, IIIT East Africa Regional Coordinator, applauded IUIU for its “wonderful organization” and thanked all participating universities for their continued support.

The conference is expected to forge new academic partnerships, enhance research collaboration, and shape the future of Islamic higher education globally.

President Museveni Calls for East African Unity, Economic Integration in Kenya Defence College Lecture

Philimon Badagawa
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President Museveni Calls for East African Unity, Economic Integration in Kenya Defence College Lecture

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged East African nations to deepen regional integration and economic cooperation as a path to shared prosperity and strategic security.

He made the call while delivering a keynote lecture to 72 officers at the National Defence College of Kenya in Nairobi on July 31, 2025.

The Ugandan Head of State underscored the need to produce and market goods and services across the region, saying that prosperity depends on both productivity and access to markets.

“The key to Africa’s prosperity lies in producing more goods and services, but we must also consider who buys them,” President Museveni said.

He emphasized that East Africans must embrace their common identity and work together to expand economic opportunities, reduce dependency, and strengthen regional resilience.

“Love Uganda because you need it. Love Kenya because you need it. Love Africa because you need it,” he said, calling for a sense of collective responsibility across the continent.

President Museveni also highlighted the limitations of intra-regional trade, noting that countries often produce similar goods that cannot easily be traded among themselves. He advocated for specialization and regional complementarities to enhance trade.

“We all need each other to prosper,” he said, urging countries to leverage their differences to strengthen unity and economic performance.

Touching on strategic security, the President argued that regional stability is reinforced by economic interdependence. He advocated for policies that bind nations together through shared economic interests and common security goals.

Museveni further encouraged the adoption of Swahili as a unifying language to build stronger bonds across East Africa.

“By embracing Swahili, we can create a strong unity in East Africa,” he noted.

He concluded the lecture by urging the future military and civilian leaders to take bold steps in rationalizing economies and utilizing Africa’s natural and human resources for collective growth.

“There is a pressing need for economic integration for Africa to prosper,” he added, promoting the idea of undugu (brotherhood) as the foundation for a peaceful and progressive region.

The lecture was attended by key Kenyan government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperative and MSMEs Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Permanent Secretary for Defence Hon. Patrick Mariru, and the Commandant of the National Defence College Lt. Gen. Juma Mwinyikai.

At the end of his visit, President Museveni planted a tree seedling and posed for photos with college officers to mark the occasion.

IGAD and Makerere University Deepen Ties to Boost Academic Mobility in the Region

Zam Zam Nakityo
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IGAD and Makerere University Deepen Ties to Boost Academic Mobility in the Region

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing academic mobility and regional integration during a courtesy visit to Makerere University on July 29, 2025.

The visit followed the conclusion of the 5th IGAD Universities Forum held in Kampala from July 28 to 29, and was hosted by Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), alongside Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, Makerere’s representative to IGAD.

Prof. Bbaale welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude for choosing to visit Uganda’s oldest public university. “It is an honour and privilege to host you here today,” he said, also commending Dr. Kiggundu for facilitating the visit and representing Makerere at IGAD.

He recognized IGAD’s influence in promoting peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the Greater Horn of Africa. “The inclusion of higher education in IGAD’s strategic priorities speaks volumes about the importance you attach to knowledge, skills, and research as tools for transforming societies,” he stated.

Prof. Bbaale noted that Makerere values its active role in IGAD, particularly through collaborative research, capacity-building, and policy dialogues aimed at harmonizing higher education in the region. “Your presence affirms our collective resolve to build stronger institutions and knowledge systems that respond to the developmental needs of our communities,” he emphasized.

He urged for stronger academic and research networks to support student and staff mobility across the continent. “We hope this visit will further deepen the bonds between our institutions and inspire new opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research, innovation, and regional integration,” he added.

Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, IGAD’s Senior Coordinator of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, praised Makerere’s role and Uganda’s continued partnership. He said the University remains a key ally in advancing IGAD’s education agenda.

Dr. Victoria Anib Majur, Head of IGAD’s Health and Social Development Division, thanked Makerere for embracing the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework (IGADQF), which promotes learner mobility across member states. “It is our pleasure that your institution and all other partner institutions in the region are joining IGAD in fulfilling the mission of regional integration through skills development and through qualifications,” she said.

She also reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to promoting inclusive education and equipping learners—especially refugees, returnees, and host communities—with skills that align with current market demands.

IGAD, headquartered in Djibouti, comprises eight member states: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.

Parliament Approves Expansion of Kabale University Medical School

Philimon Badagawa
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Parliament Approves Expansion of Kabale University Medical School

Parliament has approved a motion allowing Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to sublease five acres of land to Kabale University, paving the way for the university’s long-awaited expansion of its Faculty of Medicine.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng, tabled the motion during a plenary sitting on Thursday, 31 July 2025. Kabale University first submitted the request in August 2022 to construct modern medical infrastructure on the land.

According to Aceng, the university intends to build teaching and medical facilities including lecture halls, specialized clinics, operating rooms, and patient wards. She said the project would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery and medical education in southwestern Uganda.

“This is more than just a land deal,” Aceng told Parliament. “It is an investment in better healthcare, stronger medical education, and growth for the Kigezi sub-region and beyond.”

The expansion is expected to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the region, which serves over 2.4 million people, including patients from neighboring Rwanda. Aceng said the current university medical school operates in a dilapidated hospital building slated for demolition, limiting both learning and service delivery.

“The sublease will allow the university to create a modern medical school and teaching hospital,” she said. “This will improve training, enhance research, and bring better healthcare closer to the communities that need it most.”

Koboko Municipality MP, Hon. Charles Ayume, supported the motion, noting the mutual benefit between teaching institutions and hospitals.

“A medical school and hospital have a symbiotic relationship,” Ayume said. “The university teaches, but the hospital gains from the services of lecturers and students. We had questioned the kind of doctors being trained in that old building.”

Tororo District Woman MP, Hon. Sarah Opendi, called for a broader review of Regional Referral Hospitals across the country. She pointed out that many are below the expected standards in infrastructure and staffing.

“Kabale Regional Referral Hospital has a 100-bed capacity, which is insufficient for a regional referral hospital,” Opendi said. “Most of these hospitals are operating at only 25 to 30 percent of the required staffing levels. This needs to be addressed in the next budget.”

With Parliament’s approval, Kabale University is now set to proceed with plans to transform medical education and healthcare delivery in the Kigezi region.

Makerere Signs Deal with Chinese University to Boost Agri-Tech Innovation

Zam Zam Nakityo
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0
Makerere Signs Deal with Chinese University to Boost Agri-Tech Innovation

Makerere University has signed a transformative five-year partnership with Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) of China to boost agricultural research, training, and innovation in Uganda and beyond.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on July 28, 2025, will be implemented under Makerere’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). The agreement focuses on collaborative research, student and staff exchanges, and the development of sustainable agricultural solutions through technology and capacity building.

“This MoU is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing research that responds to local and global food security needs,” said Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe during the signing ceremony. “It opens up pathways for our staff and students to gain international exposure while co-developing solutions with NAU.”

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Right) and Prof. Zhu Yan (Left) shake hands as they display the signed MoU on 28th July 2025.

Prof. Zhu Yan, Vice President of NAU, led the Chinese delegation. She expressed optimism about the collaboration, calling it a significant opportunity to create impact through joint innovation. “NAU is proud to join hands with Makerere University, one of Africa’s premier institutions. Together, we will pursue impactful research, promote knowledge exchange, and cultivate the next generation of agricultural scientists and innovators,” she said.

Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, who facilitated the NAU visit, emphasized the partnership’s potential to transform Uganda’s agricultural landscape. He highlighted key areas of focus such as enhancing the coffee value chain, improving marketing systems, and promoting organic fertilizer production through technology transfer.

“This partnership is timely,” said Hon. Ssempijja. “It aligns well with Uganda’s agricultural transformation agenda, and I am confident it will yield lasting impact for our farmers and agro-industrial players.”

The MoU outlines joint efforts in five priority areas:

  • Collaborative research in agriculture, food systems, environmental sciences, and biosystems engineering.
  • Exchange programs for students and academic staff.
  • Innovation in teaching and learning technologies.
  • Joint resource mobilization and partnerships with global agencies like the UNDP and WHO.
  • Promotion of sustainable, community-focused solutions.

The signing ceremony took place at Makerere’s main campus in Kampala and was witnessed by top university leaders, faculty, and government officials. It concluded with a joint commitment to launch pilot research programs in the next academic year.

This agreement strengthens Makerere University’s growing international profile and its mission to lead scientific solutions for global challenges, especially in food systems and environmental sustainability.

Bishop Dominic Eibu Rallies Karamoja Peace and Technology University Team as Shs180B Boost Sparks University Dream

Philimon Badagawa
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Bishop Dominic Eibu Rallies Karamoja Peace and Technology University Team as Shs180B Boost Sparks University Dream

Inside the modest coordination office tucked in Bugoloobi, a sense of renewed purpose filled the air. It wasn’t just another Friday. On July 11, 2025, Rt. Rev. Dominic Eibu, the Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese and President of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU), walked through its doors on a mission to inspire, assess, and reaffirm commitment.

Welcomed by Prof. Annette Kezaabu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and a team of top officials and deans, Bishop Eibu’s familiarization visit marked a turning point as the university edges closer to full operationalization.

In a heartfelt address, the Bishop praised the team’s selfless contribution to building the university from the ground up.

“You have been working voluntarily. You’ve really proved yourselves that you’re real missionaries. The person who will reward you is God himself first, and then people will come in [later]. The sacrifice you’ve made is immense,” Bishop Eibu said. “Our studies are for service rendering. So, please carry on until we succeed.”

The visit came on the heels of a major development—Uganda’s Cabinet approved an allocation of UGX 180 billion in the 2025/26 national budget to support KAPATU’s establishment.

This funding, announced after a special Cabinet session chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe on December 16, 2024, is seen as a significant leap in Uganda’s investment in peace-driven, transformative education.

President Museveni, who also serves as the Founding Chancellor of KAPATU, chaired the session alongside Vice President Jessica Alupo, the university’s Deputy Chancellor.

In a letter dated December 18, 2024, Bishop Eibu expressed deep appreciation to the President for his unwavering support.

“On behalf of the Roman Catholic Church led by His Holiness Pope Francis… the Karamoja Parliamentary Group… the 1.4 million Karamojong people and all the Ateker People… I feel profoundly honoured and exceedingly humbled to extend to Your Excellency a message of profound gratitude for your support of UGX 180 billion… for the establishment of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) Project,” Bishop Eibu wrote.

The university is envisioned as a beacon of transformation for the historically marginalized Karamoja sub-region and the broader Ateker cluster across Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Long plagued by insecurity, cattle rustling, and systemic poverty, Karamoja now sees hope in a project that seeks not just to educate but to heal.

KAPATU’s mission is rooted in offering 21st-century skills with a strong emphasis on peace, innovation, health, human rights, and psychosocial support. The model integrates formal education with community-based development, aimed at rebuilding the social fabric torn apart by decades of instability.

With the motto “Educatio ad transformationem” (Education for transformation), the university pledges to equip learners with tools not only for personal advancement but also for regional healing and economic empowerment.

As the KAPATU coordination office in Kampala buzzes with planning and preparation, the vision is becoming clearer. Backed by government commitment, guided by faith, and driven by sacrifice, Karamoja’s academic renaissance is no longer a distant dream.

Africa’s Biggest Campus Solar Project Launched at Makerere University to Power Health Innovation

Times Reporter
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Africa’s Biggest Campus Solar Project Launched at Makerere University to Power Health Innovation
Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) has launched Africa’s largest campus-based solar power system, marking a major leap in sustainable energy and health innovation on the continent.

The 384-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar grid, installed at the IDI-McKinnell Knowledge Centre, was officially inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

The $380,000 project will significantly reduce the institute’s reliance on the national power grid, lower operational costs, and improve energy reliability for health research and services.

“This is a proud moment for Makerere,” said Prof. Nawangwe during the launch. “We continue to shine because of centres of excellence like IDI. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the transformation of African science.”

The event also saw the unveiling of a medical drone initiative aimed at improving the delivery of essential drugs to hard-to-reach communities in areas such as Buvuma, Kalangala, and West Nile.

The drones have already achieved success, with over four years of delivering antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and a 95% viral suppression rate among recipients.

Prof. Samuel Abimerech Luboga, Chairperson of IDI’s Board of Directors, described the solar grid as a model for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to renewable energy and sustainable healthcare delivery,” he said. “We will ensure that all IDI initiatives—from solar to data labs—deliver real community value.”

Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Prof. Sam Luboga and Dr. Andrew Kambugu chat during a tour of the facility.

IDI’s Head of Finance and Administration, Ms. Susan Lamunu Shereni, reported that the grid will save the institute approximately $85,000 annually and recover its cost within five years. “Even on cloudy days, we generate power,” she said. “We also anticipate cutting our carbon emissions by 25,000 kilograms each year.”

The solar system is part of a broader green initiative by IDI, which has already installed similar energy systems at 150 health facilities across Uganda. The effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—Good Health and Wellbeing—while contributing to other SDGs like Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) and Climate Action (SDG 13).

Mr. Patrick, Coordinator of IDI’s Medical Drones Project, explained that the technology is helping to bridge logistical gaps in health supply chains. “We’ve recorded 100% treatment response rates in some areas and continue expanding our reach,” he noted.

The dual launch was attended by leading academics and researchers, including Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr. Andrew Kambugu (Executive Director, IDI), Dr. Robert Kalyesubula, and Prof. David Serwadda—author of Uganda’s first HIV/AIDS paper.

Together, these innovations signal IDI’s emergence as a continental hub for health technology, renewable energy, and equitable service delivery.

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