Nkumba University, through the Office of the Vice Chancellor, on Thursday hosted a high-level Resource Mobilisation Workshop at the Main Campus, aimed at enhancing capacity in proposal writing for research and development grants.
The day-long session was facilitated by Dr. Drake Patrick Mirembe, a renowned researcher and innovation strategist, under the theme “Effective Proposal Writing for Research and Development Grants.”
In his comprehensive and thought-provoking presentation, Dr. Mirembe tackled the fundamentals of successful grant writing, including budgeting, compliance, team management, and project execution. He also shared real-world examples, both successful and failed proposals, to illustrate key lessons.
“We need to be intentional,” Dr. Mirembe emphasized. “As universities, we must create structures and systems that support innovation and proposal development. The funding isn’t far, it’s within government, the private sector, and international organizations. But we must position ourselves to tap into it.”
He challenged the university leadership to think ahead, asking, “Do we, as a university, know where we’ll be in the next two years? Have we aligned our plans with the national budget and global development priorities?”
Dr. Drake Mirembe during his presentation // Japheth Godwin Walakira
Dr. Mirembe also called for a cultural shift in the education system, warning that poor institutional systems and lack of strategic positioning are costing universities opportunities. “Where you study matters,” he said, pointing to global competitiveness in education. “We must ensure that a child from a rural school can compete fairly with one from a prestigious urban institution.”
He added that institutions must begin to treat research as an investment, not a luxury. “No one gives you free money,” he stated. “We must build trust through structured systems, transparency, and hard work.”
Among his recommendations was the formation of a dedicated concept development committee within the university to guide and support staff in shaping viable project ideas into fundable proposals.
“Even global donors like the EU and USAID are shifting their funding priorities,” he explained. “We must remain relevant and well-organized to meet their expectations, including things like proper institutional registration and having a data-ready framework.”
Dr. Mirembe also touched on institutional branding, urging universities to leverage their networks, alumni, and success stories. “When students see a university that’s actively engaged in projects and innovation, they are inspired. Some even choose to enroll simply because they see tangible impact,” he said.
Prof. Jude Lubega stressing a point // Japheth Godwin Walakira
Nkumba University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jude Lubega, commended Dr. Mirembe’s presentation and urged participants to take immediate action.
“This conversation cannot end here,” Prof. Lubega said. “Every school at Nkumba must take initiative. Reach out, invite collaboration, and start working on your proposals. We already have a structure in place; now let’s use it.”
Reflecting on the university’s progress, Prof. Lubega said Nkumba had built a strong foundation for handling major research projects and emphasized that the time for passive waiting was over.
“We have overcome obstacles before and now we are here now we are better positioned than ever,” he added. “Let’s get out there, write those proposals, and attract the funding we need. We’re here to support you.”
He concluded with a call for sustainability and institutional harmony. “Stability is key, let’s resolve issues through dialogue because no one wants to fund a risk-prone institution.”
The workshop ended with a brief Q&A session, where participants raised concerns about the practical aspects of resource mobilisation and sought clarification on institutional readiness for grant applications.
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