Makerere University

College of Education and External Studies

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Research Center

 

Vision

To be Africa’s leading Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Care and Education, advancing equitable, research-driven solutions that enable young children, especially the most vulnerable, to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.

 

Mission

The Early Childhood Care and Education Research Center at Makerere University advances high-impact teaching, research, policy engagement, and community partnerships that strengthen early childhood systems in Uganda and beyond.

 

Strategic Statement

The ECCE Research Center at Makerere University is committed to strengthening the foundations of lifelong learning, health, and opportunity. Through integrating research, workforce development, policy engagement, and community partnerships, we advance equitable early childhood systems that prepare every child, especially girls and the most vulnerable, to thrive in school and beyond. We invest in knowledge, people, and systems that transform early childhood development into a powerful engine for educational success, gender equity, and sustainable development across Africa.

 

We Build for the Future through Nurturing Children.

 

Teaching and Learning

We offer a wide range of blended and flexible preservice and in-service caregiver and ECD/Preprimary Teacher Training including at different levels including at Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Masters, and PhD levels. https://miter.mak.ac.ug/elearning/course/index.php?categoryid=2

Collaborations and Partnerships

The center partners with different institutions that invest in improving the lives of children in Uganda through early learning systems strengthening, workforce capacity building, and private-sector solutions. More specifically, ECCE Research Center at Makerere University is engaged in:

  1. Building the Early Childhood Care and Education (preprimary education) workforce through innovative and flexible professional caregiver and teacher training and certification programs at different levels including at Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Masters, and PhD levels.  Currently, the center is collaborating with more than 50 training institutions across Uganda with over 4000 caregivers and preprimary teacher trainees.
  2. Supporting ECD/ECCE ecosystems through research and systems strengthening
  3. Conducting collaborative research, generating data and evidence to improve ECCE service delivery and accountability. The center has signed Memoranda of Understanding with different partners and entities.
  4. Partnering with governments to strengthen national ECD/ECCE policies and measurement frameworks.
  5. Advancing scalable and sustainable ECD/ECCE models in Uganda and the broader East African region.
  6. Addressing foundational inequalities before primary school, by ensuring that vulnerable children, especially girls enter school developmentally ready to learn. The center is engaged in different interventions, such as supporting caregiver education that improves girls’ early cognitive and socio-emotional outcomes.
  7. Promoting inclusive, equitable early learning environments
  8. Following intergenerational approaches that strengthen both children and caregivers
  9. Systems strengthening that builds sustainable national ECD ecosystems
  10. Community-based partnerships grounded in local leadership and resilience

At the ECCE Research center, we believe that improving the human condition begins before birth and requires long-term investment in systems, not isolated programs. Therefore, our work is designed for scalability, sustainability, and shared ownership across government, civil society, and communities.

LIST OF ECD/PREPRIMARY AND PRIMARY TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTIONS COLLABORATING WITH MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

 

#

 NAME OF THE INSTITUTION

PHYSICAL ADDRESS

      1.          

KABOLOI ECD TEACHERS COLLEGE

Aputon III Kaboloi P.O Box Pallisa

      2.          

MAKERERE INSTITUTE OF COMMERCE

P O Box 214 Ishaka Bushenyi

      3.          

MIREMBE ECD TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Busiika 10 Km Gayaza Zirobwe Road

      4.          

ECOPA ECD COLLEGE

Lukaya Town Council, Kalungu District

      5.          

LIGHT OF HOPE EDUCATION CENTER NDESE

MUKONO, Nakifuma-Nagalama Town Council, Ndese Kakala Zone, Near NDESE S.D.A Church, Opposite BAJ Fuel Station Along Mukono-Kayunga Road. P.O Box 1967 Mbale.

      6.          

RUGANDO VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE

P.O Box 91 Rubirizi

      7.          

CHILDREN ON THE EDGE AFRICA

Kyaka Ii Refugee Settlement - Kyegegwa

      8.          

STANDARD ECD TEACHERS' TRAINING CENTRE

Mukono-Seeta, Kiwanga, Kasokoso Zone

      9.          

PEACE TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS INSTITUTE

Mukono

   10.          

ST MARY'S ECD TEACHER EDUCATION COLLEGE KYAMAGANDA

Kyamaganda Village, Busubi Parish, Kisekka Sub County, Lwengo District

   11.          

BEST VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Kitumba Long Fortportal-Kla Rd

   12.          

BEST VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Kitumba Long Fortportal-Kla Rd

   13.          

BUHUNGIRO PRIMARY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Buhungiro Primary Teachers' College P.O.Box 150 Mbarara Uganda Isingiro District

   14.          

ST MARYS ECD TEACHERS EDUCATION COLLEGE

Kyamaganda Lc I Kiseka Sub County Lwengo District.

   15.          

BUSIKHO PRIMARY TEACHER'S COLLEGE

P.O Box 145 Busia

   16.          

AFRICAN ARK COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

Po Box 590 Kasese Western Uganda

   17.          

IGANGA VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

P.O Box 30 Iganga

   18.          

EMBASSY INSTITIUTE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT MBARARA

Plot 10, Rubiri Road, Kakoba Division Mbarara District

   19.          

CITY GUILDS LEARNING CENTRE

Bombo Road Bat Valley

   20.          

EMBASSY INSTITUTE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT- MBARARA

Plot 10 ,Rubiri Road,Kakoba Division, Mbarara Municipality

   21.          

MIKIROSA INSTITUTE

Plot5 Aboo Avenue, Laroo Division, Gulu

   22.          

MIKIROSA INSTITUTE

Plot5 Aboo Avenue, Laroo Division, Gulu

   23.          

KALIRO INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION EXTENSION (KITEE)

Nabitende Trading Centre, Nambale Sub-County, Iganga District

   24.          

KISORO PTC

Kisoro Municipality

   25.          

MIREMBE GIRLS' VOCATIONAL TRAININNG CENTRE

Zanna Zone Bunamwaya Parish

   26.          

GAYAZA ROAD EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE

Gayaza Road At 8 Miles (13 Kilometres)

   27.          

BRAINSTORM ECD INSTITUTE PAKWACH

P.O.Box 1, Pakwach-Ugand

   28.          

CHRIST THE KING PTC GULU

P.O. Box 136 Gulu

   29.          

ARUA CORE PTC

Oluko Road-Mvaradri

   30.          

ST. GEORGE'S IBANDA ECD TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Kagongo, Ibanda Municipality

   31.          

CANON APOLO CORE PTC

P.O.Box 83, Fort-Portal

   32.          

KITABI PRIVATE PIMARY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Kitabi P.T.C, P.O.Box 245, Bushenyi Uganda

   33.          

UNIVERSAL COLLEGE KASESE

Central Division Kasese Municipality

   34.          

KAKOBA NURSARY TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE

Plot 7 Binhim Road After Allience Secondary School Opposite Kakoba Muslim Primary School

   35.          

ST GEORGE'S IBANDA CORE PRIMARY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Kagongo, Ibanda District

   36.          

GAYAZA TECHNICAL AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Gayaza

   37.          

BWERA TRAINING INSTITUTE

Nyamambuka I Cell, MLTC Kasese District

   38.          

MUMMY'S INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY, DESIGN AND COMMERCIAL STUDIES

Masaka

   39.          

MUMMY'S INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY, DESIGN AND COMMERCIAL STUDIES

Masaka City

   40.          

ANKOLE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND VOCATIONAL STUDIES

Rwebikoona,Kamukuzi Plot 89/91,Mbarara City

   41.          

ANKOLE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND VOCATIONAL STUDIES

Rwebikoona,Kamukuzi Plot 89/91,Mbarara City

   42.          

KYOTERA ECD

Kyotera District- Kyotera Town Council- Kamwanyi Ward

   43.          

WESTERN INSTITUTE OF VOCATIONAL AND BUSINESS SCIENCE

Kanyamabona, Ishaka Division, Bushenyi District

   44.          

MUMMY'S EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE

Masaka City

   45.          

MUMMY'S EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE MASAKA

Masaka City

   46.          

ROSAMYSTICA ECD TEACHERS TRAINING INSTITUTE

Fort Portal Tourism City

   47.          

RWENZORI ANGELS TRAINING COLLEGE

Kasese District -Kinyamaseke Town Council

   48.          

BONA MATER NURSERY TEACHERS' TRAINING COLLEGE PAKWACH

Puvungu West

   49.          

KITGUM CORE PTC NURSERY TEACHERS TRAINING INSTITUTE

P.O.Box.35 ,Kitgum

   50.          

ST. JOHN BOSCO PTC, NYONDO

Nyondo Ptc Village, Bufukhula Parish, Nyondo Sub County, Bungokho County, Mbale District

   51.          

CAB VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

Namutamba

   52.          

NAMUTAMBA C.O.UTEACHERS' COLLEGE

Namutamba Mityana District

   53.          

MUKONO YMCA ECD INSTITUTE

Mukono

   54.          

GATE OF HOPE EDUCATION CENTRE ECD INSTITUTE

P.O Box 1099 Kyenjojo

   55.          

SOROTI CORE PRIMARY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Asuret Subcounty, Soroti County, Soroti District Eastern Uganda

   56.          

GULU CORE PRIMARY TEACHER'S COLLEGE

P.O.Box 798, Gulu

   57.          

LIBERTY COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND JOURNALISM

Mumbuzi Zone, Nyamwamba Division, Kasese Municipality

   58.          

BISHOP WILLIS CORE PRIMARY TEACHERS' COLLEGE, IGANGA

P.O Box 150, Iganga

   59.          

OKOA REFUGE ECD INSTITUTE

Nyendo Kayirikiti Masaka

   60.          

SANCTA MARIA CORE PTC

Nkokonjeru Town Council - Buikwe District

   61.          

WAKISO EDUCATION CENTRE

Wakiso Town Council, Kavumba Zone

   62.          

PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, MBALE

Kumi Road, Mbale City

   63.          

A CHANCE FOR CHILDREN NURSERY TEACHERS COLLEGE -NAKAZIBA

Mityana-Nakaziba

   64.          

TROPICS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

P.O.Box 228, Iganga

   65.          

MBARARA DISCOVERY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TERTIARY EDUCATION

Mbarara City, Survivor Road Kakiika-Andrews

   66.          

HOLY TRANSFIGURATION VOCATIONAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE

Kidodo-Central Division Kasese Municipality

   67.          

SHINE UGANDA

Plot 18b, Semawata Rd, Ntinda.

   68.          

ST.AGNES TEACHERS TRAINING INSTITUTE GULU

St.Agness Teachers Training Institute Gulu Study Center, At Holy Rosary PS, C/O P.O Box 200 Gulu

   69.          

MAMITA TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Kiduuka Stage -Nakawa Municipality

   70.          

PRINCE TEMBO ECD TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE

Matugga- Kiweebwa

   71.          

ST. AGNESS TEACHERS TRAINING INSTITUTE KITGUM

C/O P.O Box 33, Kitgum

   72.          

MASAKA NURSERY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Nyendo Kayirikiti Masaka City

   73.          

NAKASEKE CORE P. T. C

P. O Box 1050, Nakaseke

   74.          

BUDUDA VOCATIONAL ACADEMY

P.O.Box 1918, Mbale

   75.          

MUHABURA VOCATIONAL ECD TRAINING CENTER

Nyagashinge Ward Northern Division Kisoro Municipality

   76.          

MUBENDE NURSERY TEACHER'S TRAINING COLLEGE

Mubende District

   77.          

GAYAZA EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER TRAINIGN CENTRE

Gayaza Manyangwa

   78.          

ST.LEOS COLLEGE OF SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES KASESE

Kidodo Railway Kasese Municipality

   79.          

JNISSI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER

Nagalama Ward

   80.          

JNISSI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER

Naggalama Ward-Mukono

   81.          

NALWIRE NURSERY TEACHER'S COLLEGE BUSIA

Lumino Town Council

   82.          

NALWIRE NURSERY TEACHERS COLLEGE BUSIA

Lumino Town Council,Busia District At Bukwekwe Primary School

   83.          

MOONLIGHT EDUCATION CENTER

Masindi

   84.          

YMCA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS STUDIES, JINJA

Nalufenya Road

   85.          

ACTIVE INSTITUTE OF ECD

Kyampisi Kalagala

   86.          

MINDSHARE985@GMAIL.COM

Canaan Estate, Nakwero, Gayaza

   87.          

NDEGEYA EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

P.O Box 1630 Masaka

   88.          

PROVIDENCE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL NEBBI

P.O.Box 88, Nebbi

   89.          

KIGULU ECD TEACHERS'COLLEG

Kigulu Iganga

   90.          

VICTORIA TEACHERS INSTITUTE

Plot 53/67 Kyabazinga Way

   91.          

KIGULU EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT TEACHERS COLLEGE

Kigulu Iganga

   92.          

IGANGA MULTIPURPOSE VOCATIONAL AND BUSINESS INSTITUTE

Ngangali Village, Bulamagi Sub-County, Iganga District

   93.          

IMPACT INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Soroti City, Soroti City West Division, Orwadai Ward, Cell B

   94.          

TUBALERA VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

Jinja Kamuli Road

   95.          

SULE INSTITUTE OF TEACHERS

Kyebando Ganda

   96.          

LADY VALERIA VOCATIONAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE MATUUGA

Matugga Kiryagonja

   97.          

KIBULI MUSLIM TEACHER'S COLLEGE

Kibuli Institution Zone

   98.          

BISHOP STENSERA VTC

Masaka

   99.          

KYENZIGE KAGADI TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE

Kyenzige Kagadi

 100.          

KABALE BUKINDA CORE PTC

Muhanga Town Council -Bukinda

 101.          

COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE KIREKA

Kireka D LC 1

 102.          

KYENZIGE KAGADI TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE LIMITED

Kyenzige -Kagadi District

 103.          

BULERA CORE PRIMARY TEACHERS' COLLEGE

Kyakaliba Cell, Busiisi Division, Hoima - Uganda

 104.          

EAGLE'S NEST NURSERY TEACHERS TRAINING INSTITUTE LIMITED

Uganda,Northern,Apac,Atik Division,Bung Ward,Atik Cell P.O Box 820109,Apac

 105.          

GULU UNIVERSITY HOIMA CAMPUS

Rukurato/Palace Road, Bujwahya Cell, Hoima West Div In Hoima City

 106.          

RIYADH ISLAMIC INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION & VOCATIONAL STUDIES

Kyanga Lci, Kiboga Town Counci, Kiboga District

 107.          

PAS NURSERY TEACHERS' TRAINING CENTRE

Kagadi District, Kagadi Town Council, Along Kabalega Road Behind Kagadi Secondary School Few Meters Off Kagadi Kibaale Road Opposite Paradigm Institute

 

Portfolio of Research and Capacity Building Project Done by the Center and its Partners

This Annex presents a comprehensive portfolio of past and ongoing projects implemented by the Makerere University ECCE Research Center and partners, demonstrating experience in education systems reform, workforce development, international cooperation, and policy-oriented consultancy.

Project Title

Client / Donor

Country

Period

Role of GACE

Scope & Key Outputs

Reference

Development of Teacher Training Strategy

UNICEF

Zambia

2024–2025

Lead institutional consultant

National assessment of pre- and in-service teacher education; mixed-methods data collection; development of a costed national strategy; validation with MoE and stakeholders

UNICEF Zambia

 

IMPACT – Virtual Exchange

Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange

EU, Sweden, Malmo

2023–2026

Project partner

ECCE courses; digital pedagogy

Workforce & digital capacity

eTACCHE – eTwinning Across Cultures

Erasmus+ KA220

EU & Israel

2024–2027

Project partner

Cultural heritage, VR, teacher education

Innovation in teacher training

 

ECCE-Focused Research, Policy & Workforce Projects

Project Title

Partner / Donor

Country

Period

Role of Makerere University

Focus Area

Notes

Caring for the Caregiver (CFC)

UNICEF Uganda & Wits University

Uganda

Ongoing

National academic partner

ECCE workforce wellbeing

National relevance

Shared Challenges in ECCE

Ministry of Regional Cooperation (Israel)

Uganda

2024–2025

Research partner

ECCE policy & finance

Comparative research

 

Annex C.2 – Community, NGO & Innovation-Linked ECCE Initiatives

Project Title

Partner

Location

Role of Makerere University

Focus Area

ECCE Centres using KAINO Curriculum

KAINO Africa

Uganda

Academic partner

ECCE curriculum

ECCE Sanitation & FSM

Ghetto Research Lab

Kampala

Research partner

ECCE infrastructure

ECCE Capacity Building

Right Path

Uganda

Trainer & advisor

Community ECCE

Inclusive Learning Spaces

Lala’s Inclusive School

Uganda

Academic advisor

Special needs ECCE

ECCE Innovation & Tools

Multiple NGOs

Uganda

Research & advisory

Learning tools

 

 


Expand all

Comparative Education

DPEA 1108 Religious Education 1

Religious Education 1 is a course designed for teacher trainees pursuing a Diploma in Primary Education. This course aims to equip trainees with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach religious education effectively in primary schools. Trainees will gain an understanding of various religious beliefs, practices, and values, and learn how to incorporate them into their teaching practices.

DPES1114 Child Growth and Development


DPEC1115: CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION

This course provides an overview of the health and nutritional needs of young children and early childhood practices to ensure the health and well-being of each child in a group setting. Content includes roles and responsibilities of adults in meeting children’s diverse needs, the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices, understanding common childhood illnesses and injuries, meeting health and nutrition standards, and planning nutritious meals that are appropriate for each child.

DPES1120 Agriculture Education

ECCE 7101: Early Childhood Care and Education Leadership

Course Overview:

"ECCE 7101: Early Childhood Care and Education Leadership" is a certificate-level course meticulously crafted to address the unique leadership demands within Early Childhood Care and Education centers in Uganda, particularly those situated in refugee hosting communities. This course is tailored to empower members of the ECCE Center Management Committees with both pedagogical and administrative leadership skills, ensuring holistic development in their leadership roles.

Key Focus Areas:

  1. Pedagogical Leadership:

    • Deep dive into the nuances of curriculum design and implementation tailored for early childhood.
    • Exploration of diverse teaching methodologies and strategies, ensuring effective knowledge transfer.
    • Comprehensive understanding of child development, emphasizing the creation of inclusive learning environments for every child.

  2. Administrative Leadership:

    • Acquaintance with budget planning, ensuring financial sustainability of ECCE centers.
    • Insights into staff recruitment, development, and retention strategies for creating a motivated workforce.
    • Mastery of facility management, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols.
    • Strengthening stakeholder engagement and forming robust community partnerships for holistic development.

Target Audience:

Members of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Center Management Committees in Uganda, with a particular emphasis on those operating within refugee hosting communities.

Course Outcome:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead ECCE centers effectively, ensuring both educational excellence and administrative efficiency. Their newfound expertise will be instrumental in elevating the standard of early childhood education, especially in the challenging context of refugee hosting communities.