On March 13, 2025  the college launched the Makerere University Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Mak-CAD), a hub dedicated to advancing AI research and innovation for Africa’s development. The launch, themed “Building Responsible AI Research and Innovations for Impact,” emphasized the Centre’s mission to harness AI to address critical challenges, improve human development indicators, and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dean School of engineering, PI Dr. Joyce Nakatumba, Prof Tonny Oyana, VC Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, HE Tiffany Kirlew, Prof Moses Musinguzi and Director DRGT Prof. Robert Wamala after the official launch of the Mak CAD center.

Mak-CAD aims to leverage AI for sectors including healthcare, agriculture, natural language processing, and climate action, guided by Responsible AI principles. Its objectives include advancing AI research, training MSc and PhD students, improving data quality, building local expertise, and integrating AI into policy. The Centre will operate through two research labs: the Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab (Department of Computer Science, College of Computing and Information Sciences) and the Marconi Machine Learning Lab (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Design and Art).

Spearheaded by Dr. Joyce Nabende and funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Mak-CAD collaborates with partners such as Wellcome, Google, NIH, APHRC, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).