Makerere Calls for Stronger Postdoctoral Programmes to Boost Research Capacity

What the report says

Makerere University is urging the development of stronger, more structured postdoctoral programmes as part of a broader effort to expand research capacity, improve scholarly output and strengthen links between Ugandan academics and international institutions. According to SoftPower News, the appeal was made by Prof. Edward Bbaale, who serves as Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and Director of the Economic and Financial Management area.

The report says the university sees postdoctoral training as an important stage for researchers who have already completed doctoral studies but still need supported time, mentorship and collaboration opportunities to deepen their work. By formalizing such programmes, Makerere wants to help researchers publish more, build stronger professional networks and contribute more effectively to national and regional knowledge production.

The proposal also reflects a wider conversation in higher education about how universities in Africa can retain talent and create more competitive research environments. In general, postdoctoral programmes are often used to bridge the gap between PhD study and independent academic careers, although the specific structure and funding model for Makerere’s planned approach were not detailed in the supplied text.

SoftPower News attributes the call to Makerere leadership and places it in Kampala. The development matters because research capacity is closely tied to university rankings, innovation, and the ability of local institutions to address policy and development challenges.