The Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology at the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, hosted an Intelligent Design (ID) departmental workshop on 14 May 2026, organized in collaboration with BioCosmos Africa (BCA) and BioCosmos Uganda (BCU).
The three-hour workshop introduced participants to BioCosmos Africa and BioCosmos Uganda, the Theory of Intelligent Design, and methods for detecting design in biological systems. Presentations were delivered by Mr. Isaac Mutono and Dr. Joel Isanga, followed by an extensive question-and-answer session.
The workshop attracted 102 participants, including 10 staff members, 9 graduate students, and 84 undergraduate students from Biochemistry and Systems Biology and related departments. The high participation demonstrates significant interest in discussing Intelligent Design within the university environment.
A substantial part of the discussion focused on key questions concerning ID, including the identity of the designer, the relationship between Intelligent Design and evolutionary theory, microevolution versus macroevolution, biological robustness, and examples of apparent design in living systems. The presenters emphasized that Intelligent Design focuses on detecting evidence of design rather than identifying the designer and that ID accepts variation and microevolution while challenging the sufficiency of unguided processes to explain major biological innovations.
Participants were also introduced to the BCA online course, BioCosmos Uganda membership, and the 2026 BCA Research Fund, providing opportunities for continued engagement beyond the workshop.
Overall Assessment
The workshop was a successful first step in introducing Intelligent Design to the academic community at Makerere University. The participation of 102 students, graduate students, and staff, together with the active question-and-answer session, indicates substantial interest. The event also created a platform for BioCosmos Uganda to establish academic relationships, identify potential faculty and student champions, and promote longer-term engagement with Intelligent Design research and education.
