Makerere University continues to make strides in research and innovation with two landmark developments — the successful formulation of an anti-tick vaccine by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), and the upgrade of its Innovation Hub to the Makerere University Technology and Innovations Center (MUTIC).
At COVAB, researchers have completed the formulation of a new anti-tick vaccine, a breakthrough that marks a major milestone in Makerere’s contribution to Uganda’s livestock sector. The vaccine has demonstrated an efficacy rate of 86% and is expected to reduce calf mortality by 14%, improving productivity across the livestock value chain.
Uganda’s livestock industry currently contributes 19.4% to the national GDP, valued at approximately USD 17.09 billion. Once fully developed and approved, the vaccine could reduce product losses in milk and meat by 11% and 29% respectively, while cutting down the importation of acaricides — chemical substances used to kill ticks and mites.
The vaccine now awaits clinical trials and regulatory approval from national drug authorities before commercial rollout. This development positions Makerere as a key player in promoting animal health, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Meanwhile, Makerere’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship has received a boost with the formal upgrade of its Innovation Hub, the Unipod, into the Makerere University Technology and Innovations Center (MUTIC).
Established in 2022 and supported in 2024 by a UNDP grant under the Timbuktoo Africa Initiative, the new MUTIC will serve as a university-wide platform to nurture, incubate, and accelerate ideas into viable enterprises.
MUTIC houses 10 specialized makerspaces, including facilities for Computer-Aided Design, Textiles, Electrical Systems, Renewable Energy, E-Mobility, and Multimedia Production. The center is equipped to support interdisciplinary research, digital fabrication, and product prototyping.
Governed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, and including representatives from the student body, academia, government, and the private sector, MUTIC aims to bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization.
