Maria Hakansson, Sweden’s ambassador to Uganda has promised continued support to Makerere University in the areas of research, innovation and incorporation.

To date, the two parties have agreed to four consecutive research contract periods with total support of approximately $118 million from 2000 to 2022.

“Students are actually creating intellectual property every day without knowing it. Today, 70% of research is funded by private companies globally,” she said

At the opening of the first edition of the Sweden-Makerere Days of Excellence, Ambassador Hakansson said that the partnership between Sweden and Makerere started 20 years ago, with the aim of strengthening the university’s capacity.

“This joint effort has been centered around institution-building, research training and fostering an environment conducive to research,” she said.

“This year, so many brilliant minds, so many African thought leaders from all disciplines have shaped the proud history of this university. I want to pay tribute to them, their ideas and the efforts they made to create a better future for generations of Africans who came after them .”

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, said the challenges facing us today are complex and global.

“We need knowledge to find the right solutions, and I am convinced that everyone here knows that it has been proven time and time again that research, science and innovation are fundamental building blocks for a country to create long-term prosperity and economic growth that pays dividends to all its citizens.”