Stella Kakeeto
Stella Kakeeto is a Grants Manager at Makerere University School of Public Health, where she leads the management of donor-funded research awards and institutional collaborations. With over a decade of experience, she has overseen complex programs supported by agencies such as NIH, NIHR, European Union, WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation among others, ensuring compliance, accountability and impact.
Her work extends beyond research management to shaping equitable and ethical research partnerships. She has supported collaborations between Makerere University and institutions across Africa, Europe and North America, with a focus on transparency, shared responsibility and safeguarding institutional interests. She has also contributed to policies on subcontracting, data sharing, and intellectual property, all of which are critical to responsible research practice.
Regionally, Stella serves as Vice-President (Communications and Operations) of the Eastern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (EARIMA) and is a member of the International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC), advancing standards in research management.
Her professional interests center on research governance, ethical partnerships and building systems that promote fairness and inclusivity in collaborative science. She is passionate about ensuring that African institutions are not only participants but also equal partners in global research.