The launch of the Ugandan ORCID Consortium this month came to fruition when RENU, Uganda’s National Research and Education Network, recognized the need for researchers to be more interconnected in order for research to be more internationally discoverable. RENU set to work integrating ORCID into a shared national platform where they could also receive technical support.
Founded in 2006, RENU is a community-driven, non-profit organization with a major focus on nurturing collaboration among member institutions and global partners.
In this blog, Daniel Kawuma, Senior Software Engineer with RENU shares how the Ugandan ORCID consortium was formed.
ORCID helped transform research visibility in Uganda
ORCID: Can you share the story behind the launch of the Ugandan ORCID Consortium? How did the idea come about, and who was involved in making it happen?
DK: The idea for the Ugandan ORCID Consortium was born out of a recognition that many of our researchers were working in isolation. Despite producing valuable knowledge, their contributions were often invisible internationally. Through RENU, Uganda’s National
Research and Education Network, we saw an opportunity to create a shared platform where institutions could access ORCID services affordably, receive technical support, and improve research visibility. We engaged universities and research consortia in a series of discussions to better understand their challenges and aspirations. From these conversations, the idea of a consortium quickly took root and gathered momentum. It was a team collaborative effort, spearheaded by Hellen Nakawungu, the Systems and Software
Manager at RENU and inspired by the “Ubuntu” philosophy that we are stronger together than apart.
ORCID: What was the most exciting or memorable moment during the process of forming the Consortium?
DK: The most memorable moment came during our first national workshop, where researchers from both large and small institutions openly shared the challenges they face in gaining global recognition. When we introduced ORCID and demonstrated how it could directly connect their work to the global knowledge network, the excitement in the room was intense. For many, it was the first time they encountered a practical solution to issues of visibility and credibility.
It was also a turning point for us as the RENU team. Until that workshop, we had struggled to clearly articulate the institutional relevance of ORCID. The breakthrough came when Mr. Lazarus Matizirofa shared a compelling example of how ORCID had transformed research visibility and reporting at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. His practical insights not only clarified our own understanding but also resonated deeply with the participants, creating a collective “wow” moment that confirmed we were on the right path.
The Global Participation Fund catalyzed consortium formation
ORCID: How did the Community Development and Outreach grant from the ORCID Global Participation Fund support your work and contribute to making the consortium possible?
DK: The GPF grant was catalytic. Without it, many of our plans would have remained just ideas. The grant enabled us to organize awareness workshops within Uganda, train institutional representatives, and develop a governance framework for the consortium. It also gave us credibility when engaging with senior leadership at universities and government bodies—they could see that we were supported by a global initiative.
ORCID: What specific activities or milestones did the grant help you achieve in the lead-up to this launch?
DK: Some of the key milestones include:
- Training our first group of ORCID ambassadors, each representing a cluster of institutions.
- Running sensitization campaigns that reached more than 20 universities and research organizations.
- Developing a national onboarding plan to enroll both institutions and individual researchers.
- Establishing the technical groundwork for system integrations with ORCID.
ORCID: What plans for the future do you have after the completion of the GPF cycle?
DK: Our focus will be on sustainability. We plan to integrate ORCID services into RENU’s long-term strategy so that every Ugandan researcher has the opportunity to benefit. We will also strengthen our tiered membership model to ensure that institutions and organisations of all sizes can participate. Beyond that, we want to position Uganda as a dependable partner in the region by sharing our experience with neighboring countries.
The Ugandan Consortium offers many benefits to its members
ORCID: What do you see as the main benefits for institutions joining the Ugandan ORCID Consortium?
DK: The key benefit is visibility. Institutions that join will have their researchers’ work linked globally, increasing their credibility in the international academic community. They will also gain clearer visibility into the funding awarded to their researchers, since many funders now integrate directly with ORCID to record grants. This makes it easier for institutions to track projects, demonstrate impact, and attract future support. In addition, members benefit from discounted membership fees, shared technical support, and training opportunities that would be difficult to access independently.
ORCID: How will membership make it easier for organizations to adopt and integrate ORCID compared to joining as individual members?
DK: Joining through the consortium lowers both the financial and technical barriers. Instead of each institution negotiating and building capacity independently, the consortium provides a shared framework. This makes integration faster, cheaper, and more sustainable. Smaller institutions that could never afford ORCID membership on their own can now access it under the consortium umbrella.
ORCID: How do you see the consortium helping to build capacity for open research infrastructure in Uganda?
DK: The consortium is more than just ORCID adoption—it’s about creating a culture of openness and collaboration. By linking ORCID to repositories, journals, and grant systems, we are laying the foundation for an open research infrastructure in Uganda. This means researchers can easily share, track, and collaborate on their work, while institutions strengthen their digital capacity.
Regional consortia creates a strong collective voice for African researchers
ORCID: In your view, what could be the advantages of forming a regional consortium that spans multiple countries, compared to a national consortium?
DK: A regional consortium would bring economies of scale and create a stronger collective voice for African researchers in the global space. It would also help harmonize standards across borders, making it easier for researchers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond to collaborate. However, starting with a national consortium allows us to build solid foundations at home first.
ORCID: Do you see potential for the Ugandan experience to inspire or connect with similar efforts in neighboring countries?
DK: Absolutely. Uganda’s journey can serve as a model for others in the region. By documenting our processes, challenges, and successes, we hope to inspire similar consortia in neighboring countries—and eventually, perhaps a regional consortium if it makes financial and technical sense.
If your institution in Uganda is not yet part of the Uganda ORCID Consortium, now is the perfect time to join and strengthen the visibility and global reach of your researchers. To learn more about membership and how your organization can get involved, please contact the consortium lead at [email protected].
For organizations outside of Uganda that are considering forming a consortium in your own country or region, ORCID offers guidance and resources to support you. You can find more information on our membership page to start the conversation and explore how a consortium can help advance open and equitable research in your community.
Contributor
Daniel Kawuma
Daniel Kawuma is a Senior Software Engineer with expertise in Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. He works at RENU, where he focuses on developing digital infrastructure and services to support education and research in Uganda. Daniel has hands-on experience with containerized applications, identity management, DevOps practices, and research information systems. Beyond infrastructure, he also contributes to initiatives that strengthen digital education, open access, and capacity building for higher education institutions.
