The PhD in Social Studies at MISR is a fully institutionalized programme of Makerere University approved by the University Senate and Council in 2011 and endorsed by the National Council for Higher Education in 2012. Addressing the media on Tuesday, the Chair Makerere University Appointments Board, Mr Bruce Kabasa, said the programme was on course and being managed in the best standards possible. He re-affirmed Makerere University and Government commitment to improving the programme saying it is not only beneficial to Uganda but the entire African Continent. “The programme conforms to all University regulations governing graduate training. Management is therefore committed to ensuring its success and will avail all necessary resources to sustain it,” he noted. Mr Kabasa was presenting the Appointments Board position on the management of the PhD programme at MISR following investigations into allegations that it was not institutionalized and lacked, among other things, consistent policies relating to how students attain scholarships, accommodation and travel.
He said the University Management and Appointments Board had made several recommendations to realign the programme. These include; reviewing the MISR establishment structure to take into account the current mandate of the Institute. “The review should take into consideration among others, the creation of a post of Deputy Director to ease delegation, transfer of knowledge and management of transition,” reads in part the statement from the Appointments Board. Others recommendations are; exploring alternative financing for the PhD programme to supplement donor funding; 
following the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training guidelines in identifying supervisors at MISR and protecting the PhD as a University programme ‘which needs to be nurtured to maturity’. All Research Fellows at MISR are also required to devote 50% of their time to teaching on the programme.
The recommendations were based on the final report prepared by the committee that was instituted in April to carry out an In-Depth Investigation into the Issues at MISR.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, re-echoed Management commitment to the development of the programme. “Management is committed to ensuring sustainability of the PhD at MISR because it is one of the best social research training programmes on this Continent,” he said.
The press briefing was attended by among others the Acting DVC in charge of Academic Affairs, Dr. Henry Alinaitwe, the Director Human Resources, Mrs Mary Tizikara, the Director Legal Affairs, Mr Goddy Muhumuza, the University Secretary, Mr Charles Baruhagare, the University Bursar, Mr Augustine Tamale, and the Dean of Students, Mr Cyriaco Kabagambe.
Statement from the Appointments Board below