Makerere University Launches Revolutionary Climate Change Research Center

Makerere University has established a groundbreaking Climate Change Research and Innovation Center (CCRIC) aimed at developing locally-relevant solutions to climate challenges facing Uganda and the broader East African region. The center, supported by a $12 million grant from international partners, will serve as a hub for multi-disciplinary research, policy development, and community engagement on climate issues.

Research Focus Areas

The CCRIC will focus on four key research areas:

1. Agriculture adaptation - Developing climate-resilient farming techniques and crop varieties suited to changing conditions in Uganda
2. Water resource management - Researching sustainable water harvesting, conservation, and flood mitigation strategies
3. Renewable energy solutions - Creating affordable, decentralized clean energy technologies for rural communities
4. Climate policy frameworks - Designing effective national and regional policy responses to climate challenges

Professor Patricia Nantongo, the newly appointed director of the center, emphasized its practical approach: "Rather than simply studying climate change, we're committed to developing actionable solutions that can be implemented by communities, businesses, and policymakers across Uganda and beyond."

The center will engage students from across disciplines including environmental science, agriculture, engineering, economics, and public policy. It will offer new specialized master's and doctoral programs in climate studies, with the first cohort of students beginning in January.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe described the center as a milestone in Makerere's evolution: "This initiative positions Makerere at the forefront of addressing perhaps the greatest challenge of our time. By bringing together our best minds across disciplines, we can develop African solutions to climate challenges that respect our unique contexts and constraints."

The CCRIC will collaborate with international research institutions including MIT, Oxford University, and the Stockholm Environment Institute, while maintaining strong partnerships with local communities most affected by climate change.