Strategic research leadership and research capacity enhancement in Ugandan universities: a systematic review

Research capacity in Ugandan universities remains underdeveloped, reflecting a wider African challenge where the continent contributes barely 1% of global research output. Despite this, limited studies evaluate existing research capacity enhancement frameworks and models that focus on Ugandan universities. Therefore, this systematic review addressed the overarching question: how do research capacity enhancement models or frameworks integrate strategic research leadership to foster a sustainable and locally grounded research environment in Ugandan universities? To achieve this goal, we specifically examined the scope of such frameworks or models, their conceptualisation of strategic research leadership (SRL), the mechanisms through which they link leadership practices to measurable research outcomes, and the limitations in their application.

A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies were identified through Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and ProQuest. Of 432 records screened, only nine met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was minimised through independent dual review, consensus, and arbitration by a third reviewer. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise findings.

The review highlights a scarcity of context-specific frameworks, with most focusing on public universities, faculty-led research, and health sciences, while neglecting private universities, students, and humanities' disciplines such as education. Integration of SRL constructs was limited, particularly in vision, policy, and culture. Leadership practices such as mentorship and collaboration enhanced measurable research outcomes, yet models faced sustainability, resource, and monitoring gaps. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive, inclusive frameworks that fully integrate SRL and support equity across institutions and disciplines. The review also lays the foundation for empirically developing and validating a context-specific SRL model to strengthen educational research capacity among students in Ugandan private universities, as these remain the most neglected categories in existing models and frameworks.

This review was not registered in PROSPERO, as the database only accepts reviews addressing direct human health-related outcomes.