Makerere University has been selected to host the Africa Office of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s drive to strengthen research, innovation, and global academic collaboration.
The announcement was made during a meeting of Makerere’s Central Management and an AAP delegation on February 23, 2026. The delegation included AAP Co-Directors Dr Jose Jackson-Malete and Dr Amy Jamison from Michigan State University (MSU), alongside newly appointed Africa Office Director Dr Racheal Ddungu Mugabi and Ms Clare Cheromoi.
Strengthening PhD Supervision and Research Capacity
Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the development, describing it as a vote of confidence in Makerere’s leadership on the continent.
“One of the greatest challenges facing African universities is PhD training, particularly supervisory capacity,” Prof. Nawangwe said. “Through partnerships such as the Alliance for African Partnership, we can leverage international expertise to strengthen supervision—whether through training supervisors or through joint supervision arrangements.”
He noted that hosting the Africa Office will enhance Makerere’s ability to coordinate research collaboration across member institutions and position the university as a hub for doctoral training and postdoctoral research.
Prof. Nawangwe also applauded joint initiatives such as the Grant Writing and Publication project, which led to the establishment of a Writing Centre at Makerere. Officially launched in March 2023, the Centre is expected to serve as a springboard for collaborative research among AAP member universities and partners in the United States.
Appointment of Africa Office Director
Makerere also announced the appointment of Dr Racheal Ddungu Mugabi as Director of the AAP Africa Office. Dr Ddungu, a lecturer in the Department of Development Studies at the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, brings expertise in intersectional inequalities in Uganda and across the Global South.
In a statement, the university congratulated Dr Ddungu, expressing confidence in her leadership to scale up collaboration with AAP member institutions.
The Africa Office will coordinate consortium activities, mobilise resources, and strengthen research networks aimed at addressing Africa’s development priorities.
AAP’s Africa-Centred Vision
Founded in 2016 by MSU in collaboration with ten African universities and agricultural policy research networks, AAP is an Africa-centred consortium focused on tackling challenges in education, youth empowerment, health and nutrition, agri-food systems, science and technology, water, energy, environment, and culture and society.
Dr Titus Awokuse, Vice Provost and Dean for International Studies and Programs at MSU, who attended the meeting virtually, said Makerere’s selection reflects its longstanding commitment to advancing higher education and research excellence.
He described the launch of the Africa Office at Makerere as reinforcing Africa-led leadership and strengthening regional collaboration. He also paid tribute to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources for hosting the Africa Office in its early years.
Expanding the Consortium
AAP now comprises eleven African member institutions alongside MSU, including universities and research networks in Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Senegal, Mali, Botswana, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa. These institutions collaborate through designated focal points to advance policy-relevant research and sustainable development.
At Makerere, the AAP Focal Point is Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships.
As host of the Africa Office, Makerere is expected to coordinate flagship initiatives such as the African Futures Research Leadership Program, which mentors early-career scholars and promotes gender equity in higher education leadership.
