Nawangwe launches initiative to enhance research grant management
Makerere University vice chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe on July 17, 2025, launched the Makerere Grants Administration Professionals (MakGAP) initiative at the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) auditorium, emphasizing that it will tremendously advance the performance and recognition of research grant administrators at Makerere and other partner institutions of learning and research in Uganda.
Nawangwe called upon African governments to invest heavily in research at universities, decrying the continent’s low research output at three per cent of the world’s. He also urged universities in Uganda to work together in doing research and projects, emphasizing that only by working together can serious impact be made.
The launch function was part of the four-day Expanded Strengthening of Makerere University’s Research Administration Capacity (E-SMAC) G11 Grants Administration & Management Workshop that ran from July 14 to 17, 2025.
The workshop, co-organised and co-led by Makerere University and Northwestern University (USA), was attended by over 150 people comprising research administration teams from universities, research centres such as the Infectious Diseases Institute and Joint Clinical Research Centre, development and non-governmental organisations and the ministry of Health.
The universities represented in the training were Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University Mukono, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, Soroti University, University of Kisubi, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Brac University, Kabale University, Muni University, Clarke International University, Busitema University and King Ceasor University.
Targeting faculty, research administrators (RAs) and finance and central office staff of universities and research institutions, the workshop aimed to: promote mentorship and peer-to-peer learning; build the capacity of RAs and faculty in grant writing and administration; foster cross-functional collaboration across disciplines and departments; enhance ongoing and future support; and raise the understanding of budget creation and funder systems.
Corollary, there were presentations and demonstrations about how to tailor grant proposal writing appropriately; budget development and justification; compliance; subcontract management, sub-recipient monitoring and memoranda of understanding; the role of grants offices; kick-off meetings with project teams; and financial management, internal controls and reporting.
Other topics tackled included peer-review processes; regional and international professional recognition of research managers and administrators; understanding funding opportunity announcements; project closeout and post-award processes; and benefits of and professional growth through the MakGAP.
