CoNAS Annual Report 2025

It is my distinct pleasure to present the 2025 Annual Report of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) at Makerere University. This report reflects a year defined by steady growth, strategic consolidation, and outstanding achievements across our core mandates of teaching and learning, research and innovation, and strategic engagement and partnerships.

Throughout 2025, the College reaffirmed its position as a leading centre of scientific inquiry and training. Our vibrant academic community, comprising the School of Physical Sciences and the School of Biosciences, with eight specialised departments and 153 dedicated members of staff, continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Through high-quality, competitive grant proposals and multidisciplinary collaboration, our faculty secured research funding that supports transformative initiatives tackling critical national, regional, and global challenges. During the 2024/2025 academic year, the College enrolled 1,195 students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We proudly celebrated the graduation of 14 PhD, 36 MSc, and 260 BSc students, including 10 First Class degrees. We commend Mr. Mubiru Enock Joel, who emerged as the bestperforming science student with a CGPA of 4.91 in the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics programme. The successful defense of 13 doctoral theses during the year further underscores the strength of our postgraduate training and research environment. The introduction of the Terminal Seminar for final-year students and our continued career guidance outreach to secondary schools demonstrate our commitment to holistic student development and informed career pathways. Research excellence remains a cornerstone of our identity. Our staff received prestigious recognitions for outstanding contributions in research and teaching during the 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. These accolades reflect the culture of scholarship and mentorship that defines CoNAS.

The year was marked by impactful research and innovation initiatives. We made history with the identification of 42 Important Plant Areas in Uganda, aligning national conservation efforts with global biodiversity strategies. Our researchers documented 174 medicinal plant species in Eastern Uganda, highlighting urgent conservation needs. Innovative solutions such as converting household organic waste into clean energy and bio-fertiliser exemplify our commitment to sustainable development. The launch of the NutriFishPlus Project, supported by international partners, is strengthening fish processing technologies and empowering women and youth in fishing communities. Similarly, the EUfunded INNOECOFOOD Project and the TRUEFISH regional workshop have advanced sustainable aquaculture, food security, and biosecurity in East Africa. Our climate and environmental research portfolio continued to expand through projects such as ECCoFE, fostering international collaboration and strengthening capacity in freshwater ecosystem research. In public health, the MicroNUT-IPHL initiative is integrating micronutrient testing into Uganda’s laboratory surveillance systems, enhancing evidence-based nutrition policy and practice. These initiatives reflect our deep engagement with societal needs and our responsiveness to emerging global challenges.

Innovation and student engagement were prominently showcased during the 2025 National Science Week Exhibition, where our students presented practical, market-oriented solutions ranging from biofuels and biosensors to health innovations. Such platforms nurture entrepreneurial thinking and translate scientific knowledge into tangible societal impact.

Our faculty also attained significant international recognition. Appointments to global scientific bodies, editorial boards, and international research collaborations affirm the growing visibility and influence of CoNAS scholars on the global stage.

In addition to academic and research achievements, the College, with support from the Estates and Works Department of the University, invested in improving CoNAS ANNUAL REPORT 2025 5 infrastructure across departments to enhance the teaching and research environment.

The College community also actively participated in initiatives promoting health, inclusion, and unity, including the MakRun.

As we reflect on the milestones of 2025, we are mindful of the challenges that accompany growth including resource constraints, evolving technological demands, and the need for sustained infrastructure development. Yet, with the continued support of the University leadership, our partners, staff, students, and alumni, we remain confident in our collective capacity to advance scientific excellence and contribute meaningfully to national and global development.

I extend my sincere appreciation to all members of the College, our collaborators, and stakeholders whose dedication and partnership made these achievements possible. Together, we will continue to strengthen the College of Natural Sciences as a hub of innovation, discovery, and transformative impact.