Poor packaging of research findings hindering uptake

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Researchers under the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF) have been cautioned against poor packaging of their research findings, which leads to resource wastage and limits the impact of their work on communities.

The warning was issued by Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, the chairman of Mak-RIF while addressing students at a three-day capacity-building training on effective packaging and dissemination of research findings. The training, held at Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences, concluded on March 6, 2025.

Masagazi noted that the initiative was prompted by concerns that Makerere University’s PhD students are not competitive enough. To address this, management has invested in funding their research projects to ensure they produce impactful research that benefits the country.

He further highlighted that Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund receives sh30 billion annually from the government to support PhD students in developing high-impact research and innovations.

“We are providing support in areas of accountability and reporting on research funding. Through these trainings, we aim to ensure that the funds are used effectively,” he said.

Masagazi explained that such training strengthens the university’s graduate programs and contributes to socio-economic transformation.

Evelyn Nyachwo, a Mak-RIF research support officer, emphasised that the training was timely, as most students had already collected data and were now preparing to communicate their findings to key stakeholders.

“So, we are training them on the appropriate tools for dissemination, such as policy briefs, issue briefs, grant proposal writing, and communication skills, to ensure their findings are presented in a clear and accessible manner,” Nyachwo said.

During the sessions, students were guided on identifying key issues from their research, developing policy briefs, targeting relevant audiences, and overcoming communication challenges.

Dr Susan Babirye, a research fellow in the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management at the School of Public Health, stressed that failing to identify research issues that create societal impact diminishes the value of the work.

Beneficiaries speak out

Dr Peter Sekandi, a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry at Makerere University, was among the participants. His research focuses on improving the effectiveness of herbal medicine.

“My PhD work is about making antibiotics extracted from medicinal plants more effective in treating specific ailments. My findings indicate that the effectiveness of herbs depends on how they are extracted and the ingredients used in the process,” he explained.

“Now that I am preparing to share this information with the public, this training has taught me to refine my focus. My priority is now on how to make herbal medicine more effective. I have also learned that my first target audience should be the leaders of herbalists before compiling a policy brief for broader dissemination,” he said.