Education

Makerere inks partnership with University of West England

Makerere University vice-chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of East Africa’s oldest tertiary institution, while the University of the West England Vice-Chancellor Jo Midgely signed on behalf of her institution. 

Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of England Jo Midgley, and Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, after signing a memorandum of understanding on Friday, October 17 2025, at Makerere University. (Credit: Miriam Najjingo)
By: NewVision Reporter, Journalists @NewVision


KAMPALA - In a bid to strengthen her global academic footprint, Makerere University on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of the West England with special focus on collaboration in research, innovation and knowledge sharing across disciplines.

The MoU was signed by the vice-chancellors of the two institutions at the Makerere University Vice-Chancellor’s boardroom in the presence of Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK and other guests on Friday.

Makerere University vice-chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of East Africa’s oldest tertiary institution, while the University of the West England Vice-Chancellor Jo Midgely signed on behalf of her institution. 

Present to witness the signing were Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J. Madhvani and delegations from the two universities.

Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of England Jo Midgley, and Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Makerere University. (All Photos by Miriam Najjingo)

Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of England Jo Midgley, and Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Makerere University. (All Photos by Miriam Najjingo)



Madhvani said the mission was working on projects across sectors for the good of Uganda.

The partnership was initiated by New Dawn International, a non-government organisation involved in community sustainability.

“We are not just focusing on education, we're trying to do tourism promotion, investment promotion, business promotion, bring all of this together to Uganda, to the region, so that, you know, our region really takes back its place as a shining country in Africa,” she said.

Prof Nawangwe welcomed the partnership as an avenue through which the two universities can create synergies to tackle emerging global challenges such as climate change, food security and unemployment.

High Commissioner of Uganda to UK Nimisha Jayant Madhvani.

High Commissioner of Uganda to UK Nimisha Jayant Madhvani.



Nawangwe told his guests that, being in Uganda, a country with the second youngest population in the world, Makerere University has been confronted by unique challenges, such as unemployment, that must be tackled through innovation.

He explained that some of the challenges Makerere University faces are also shared by institutions in developed countries, thus the need for collaborations.

“I attended a meeting somewhere in the UK where the university was saying exactly what you are saying -- that even in Britain, industry says that we are producing people who are not ready for it (industry). People say the same thing here, but in Uganda, I always ask where the industries are. Our problem here is to create those industries because they are not there. So our challenges are a little bit different, though they (industries) say the same thing,” he said.

Nawangwe further highlighted climate change, digital technology, health, conflict resolution and food security as some of the areas where the university is seeking collaborations for innovations and solutions.

Speaking on behalf of her delegation, Midgley welcomed the partnership, describing it as one where the two institutions have to go beyond the conversations in order to have a meaningful impact on communities.

Guests from the University of West England in a group photo with Makerere University top administrators after signing the MoU on Friday.

Guests from the University of West England in a group photo with Makerere University top administrators after signing the MoU on Friday.



She listed health, sustainability, climate change and health as some of the areas that they focus on.

“Unlike Makerere, I'm afraid we don't do research in every single area, but we do focus on things that we feel we have real strength and can evidence strength and where we're really keen to build enduring partnerships. Those areas are sustainability and climate change, as you would expect a global challenge that requires us all to come together to address it,” she explained.

Midgley said her university was involved in research in the communities and policy-making.

“How do we connect our communities in ways that provide opportunity, social justice, economic justice, prosperity and growth so they're our key research areas. In each of those areas, we are also very focused on ensuring that our students are employable…

Nawangwe and University of the West England Vice-Chancellor exchange documents. Left is Miriam Otengo, the head of commercial and economic diplomacy at the Uganda High Commission in the UK.

Nawangwe and University of the West England Vice-Chancellor exchange documents. Left is Miriam Otengo, the head of commercial and economic diplomacy at the Uganda High Commission in the UK.



Sometimes universities in the UK are accused of not really understanding what industry needs and wants from its graduates, and so increasingly we're spending a lot of time with employers trying to co-create programmes that really meet the skills that they want,” she said.

Other members of the  University of the West England delegation included Prof Emmanuel Adukwa, the Dean of Students; Mian Ng, the lead for global partnerships, social and cultural engagements; and Anne Eason, the associate professor of Policing.
Earlier, the delegation met Prof. Sarah Ssali, the deputy vice-chancellor for academic affairs, to discuss strategic collaborations.

During the three-day visit to Uganda, the delegation will visit the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, plus various health projects in Mbale and Manafwa, where they will meet Jude Mudoma We Bamasaba.
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Education
Makerere University
University of the West England
Prof Barnabas Nawangwe
Jo Midgely