Speaking at the launch ceremony at Makerere University, Musashizi stated that the country's long-term economic transformation will be based on knowledge, innovation, technology and human capital development. «The government is aware that sustainable economic transformation fundamentally depends on knowledge, innovation, technology and human capital», Musasisi said. The university's new five-year plan comes at a defining moment when Uganda is implementing the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) along with the government's tenfold growth strategy.
Musasisi praised the efforts of Makerere University to align its priorities with the country's development program, saying that the institution plays a crucial role in conducting research and collecting data that shape national policy. «I would like Makerere to actively support the government decision-making process through political research and economic modeling. Government institutions need timely, reliable and locally generated data to guide political reforms and investments», Musasisi stressed.
The minister promised to continue government support through the Research and Innovation Fund, calling on the university to diversify research funding by strengthening partnerships with industry, promoting the commercialization of innovation and expanding innovation ecosystems. He also called on the university's leadership to take a firm stand in the fight against corruption, warning that this vice continues to undermine the quality of public services and national development. «Corruption hinders the provision of services in the country, and it must be eradicated. Universities are responsible for rejecting corruption and fostering honesty and ethical values among students», Musasisi added.
Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, called the new strategic plan a bold roadmap that will consolidate the achievements of the last five years and make the university one of the world's leading research universities. «In the new strategic plan, we are making a bold commitment to strengthen our identity as an innovative, globally competitive, research-oriented university», said Professor Nawangwe. He explained that the plan for 2025/26-2029/30 represents the second stage of the 10-year development program of Makerere University (2020-2030). While the first stage focused mainly on building institutional foundations and infrastructure, the new stage aims to accelerate the development of cutting-edge research, innovation, academic quality, and global competitiveness.
The strategic plan, according to Professor Nawangwe, is based on four key objectives. The first goal is aimed at improving the quality, innovation, and adaptability of teaching and learning. Makerere University plans to maintain the current undergraduate enrollment by increasing the number of undergraduates and postgraduates from 3,874 to 7,744 by 2030. It is also planned to increase the share of STEM students from 30% to 55% and increase the employment of graduates from 33% to 65% within two years after graduation.
The second strategic objective is aimed at strengthening Makerere's research and innovation potential. The goals include increasing postgraduate completion from 10% to 35%, more than doubling publications in peer-reviewed journals (from 1,365 to 3,000), increasing the number of patents from 12 to 45, and expanding the commercialization of innovations through Unipod and the Intellectual Property Office from 15 to 65 projects.
The third goal involves deepening local, regional, and international partnerships through increased academic exchanges and collaborative research. The number of employees in international programs is expected to increase from 111 to 185, and students from 117 to 617. The fourth objective is to improve management, administration, and financial sustainability. Makerere plans to update policies and regulations, modernize infrastructure, improve digital connectivity, and expand internal funding sources for practical training and internships.
The Chairman of the University Council, Lorna Magara, called the new strategic plan a defining opportunity to build on the university's achievements and accelerate institutional transformation. The implementation of this plan will require significant financial investments over the next five years. According to the document, government funding should increase from 380.08 billion shillings in fiscal year 2025/26 to 639.98 billion shillings by fiscal year 2029/30. The university's management says that these investments will strengthen Makerere's potential to train highly qualified graduates, expand research results and provide evidence-based solutions to Uganda's development challenges, further strengthening the university's position as the country's leading educational institution and a key driver of national transformation.
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