Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Research Center
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:
- 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.
- Supporting ECD/ECCE ecosystems through research and systems strengthening
- 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.
- Partnering with governments to strengthen national ECD/ECCE policies and measurement frameworks.
- Advancing scalable and sustainable ECD/ECCE models in Uganda and the broader East African region.
- 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.
- Promoting inclusive, equitable early learning environments
- Following intergenerational approaches that strengthen both children and caregivers
- Systems strengthening that builds sustainable national ECD ecosystems
- 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 |