Uganda Christian University (UCU) has added another milestone to its growing research profile after Ms. Comfort Mpiriirwe, a PhD student in Business and Management with a Specialization in Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the School of Business, won the Overall Best Paper Award at the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain-Africa (CARISCA) Supply Chain Research Summit.

The international summit brings together leading supply chain scholars, researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners from across Africa and beyond to showcase research that addresses pressing challenges in supply chain management. The Best Paper Award is presented to research that demonstrates originality, academic excellence, and practical relevance.

Ms. Mpiriirwe earned the top honour for her paper titled, “Does Supplier Gender Affect Buyer Pricing Decisions? Experimental Evidence from Buyer-Driven Coffee Supply Chains in a Developing Country Context.” The study explores how supplier gender may influence pricing decisions within coffee supply chains in developing economies, contributing new evidence to discussions on equity and decision-making in procurement.

In recognition of her achievement, she received £250 worth of Emerald Publishing e-books and publications.

The award is the latest indication of UCU’s growing contribution to internationally recognised research and reflects the university’s commitment to producing knowledge that informs policy, business practice, and sustainable development.

Speaking about the achievement, Dr. Dan Ayebale, a consultant on the PhD in Business and Management Programme at the UCU School of Business, described the recognition as a proud moment for both the student and the university.

“This achievement demonstrates the quality of doctoral research at Uganda Christian University. It reflects the dedication of the students and faculty to producing research that addresses real-world challenges while contributing to global academic discourse.”

Ms. Mpiriirwe developed the award-winning paper from her ongoing PhD research under the supervision of Prof. Godfrey Mugurusi and Prof. Sarah Eyaa, both visiting professors at the School of Business. She also benefited from the mentorship of Prof. John Kitayimbwa, Dr. Richard Ssebagala, Dr. Henry Mugisha, and Dr. Dan Ayebale.

The recognition comes at a time when UCU continues to strengthen its research culture by supporting postgraduate scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and internationally competitive research. Through its doctoral programmes, the university is equipping researchers to generate evidence-based solutions that respond to national, regional, and global challenges.

For the School of Business, the award highlights the impact of its PhD programme in nurturing scholars whose research extends beyond the classroom to influence industry practice and public policy.

As UCU continues to expand its international research footprint, Ms. Mpiriirwe’s achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring researchers and a testament to the university’s vision of being a centre of excellence in the heart of Africa.

Congratulations to Ms. Comfort Mpiriirwe, her supervisors, mentors, and the UCU School of Business on this remarkable international achievement.