The Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and the International Growth Centre (IGC) of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) have formalised a tripartite agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in evidence generation, capacity building, and policy influence.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony held at Makerere University on August 27, 2025.
The agreement solidifies a partnership focused on leveraging the collective expertise of the three institutions to address key development challenges in Uganda and the wider region.
During the signing ceremony, EPRC Executive Director Dr. Sarah N. Ssewanyana emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving lasting impact. “We have long recognised the power of collaboration,” she stated. “Lasting impact is achieved through strong partnerships. This MoU will facilitate a deeper exchange of expertise in evidence generation and capacity building, which is a key focus of our new strategic plan for the coming five years.”
Professor James Wokadala, Deputy Principal of CoBAMS, highlighted the benefits for the university’s academic community. “This collaboration comes with immense benefits for CoBAMS,” he noted. “It will expand capacity-building opportunities for both our faculty and students, particularly in the areas of research and public investment management.”
EPRC ED Sarah Ssewanyana (L) and Jonathan Leape, Executive Director of the IGC (R), while signing the MOU at Makerere University on August 27, 2025. Photo/EPRC
Dr. Jonathan Leape, Executive Director of the IGCdescribed the agreement as a natural progression of a long-standing relationship. “This MoU builds on a long history of collaboration between the IGC and Makerere University,” he said. “It will formalise our cooperation to do more research going forward. In addition to supporting research activities and capacity building, it will also provide support for PhD students from Uganda.”
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe underscored the university’s commitment to research. “We take this collaboration very seriously,” he said. “At Makerere, we have resolved that we must concentrate more on research. We believe that universities have a responsibility to search for solutions for the development of our region.”
Professor Nawangwe also pointed out the timeliness of the agreement, noting the continent-wide push to train more PhD graduates. He said that Africa needs at least one million PhD graduates to meet its development needs, but universities face resource constraints, including a shortage of supervisors, which makes it difficult to produce them.
The formal collaboration marks a significant step for the three institutions in their shared goal of using evidence-based research to inform policy and drive economic growth.
About the Institutions:
- Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) is a leading independent policy think tank in Uganda.
- Makerere University is the largest and oldest university in Uganda.
- International Growth Centre (IGC) is a global research centre based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Remarks by EPRC Executive Director:
