The review highlighted policy-shaping research, student exchanges with NTNU, and institutional gains including field vehicles and curriculum development.
Through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University hosted a comprehensive impact review of the Environmental Risk Management Under Increasing Extremes and Uncertainty (MERIT) Project — convening faculty, researchers, students, and partners from Ugandan and Norwegian institutions.
MERIT is a five-university NORHED collaboration funded by NORAD (2021–2026, with a one-year COVID extension), worth 20 million Norwegian kroner. Partners include Makerere, Uganda Martyrs University, the University of Dar es Salaam, Haramaya University, and NTNU.
Research informing policy
Thirteen Master’s and two PhD candidates are undertaking specialised training. Graduate research spans flood forecasting, Sendai Framework implementation, nature-based solutions, climate impacts on agriculture, urban ecological mapping, and community adaptation strategies.
Community engagement
Fieldwork in Mbale, Bududa, Sironko, and other high-risk districts includes GIS-based warning systems, household digitisation, and documentation of traditional ecological knowledge — strengthening preparedness while giving students rich research experience.
Institutional capacity
Deputy Principal Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze noted gains including a Land Cruiser for fieldwork, curriculum review funding, gender mainstreaming support, and co-supervision arrangements. Five NTNU students are currently on research placements in Uganda.
Dr. Paul Mukwaya emphasised proactive sustainability actions — policy brief training, SDG-aligned student projects, and mentorship to ensure research influences practice as MERIT enters its final years.
