General
Highlights of the 20th Anniv. of Dept. of Food Science
The Origin of the Department of Food Science and Technology can be traced back to when the Department was approved as an academic unit in the then Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry by the Makerere University Council in 1987.
The Origin of the Department of Food Science and Technology can be traced back to when the Department was approved as an academic unit in the then Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry by the Makerere University Council in 1987.
The two lead-persons involved in the establishment of the department, including compilation of the curriculum used by the first student intake, were the late Prof. J.S. Mugerwa (then Dean, Faculty of Agriculture & Forestry) and Dr. David Muduuli (then Senior Lecturer, Department of Soil Science). Dr. Paul Hansen from Ohio State University also made a strong input in the curriculum development.
In 1989, Dr. Muduuli was appointed as the first Head of the newly established Department of Food Science and Technology, which was by then assigned only three offices in the Faculty of Agriculture. In the same year Dr. Kasirye Alemu, having been appointed Executive Director UNBS, joined the group as a part time lecturer.
The last 20 years have seen steady growth in student numbers and department space from the initial 12 male and 2 female students to over 400 graduates thus far housed in a 4000 square meter complex located on the western end of the Makerere University Main Campus with well furnished lecture rooms, teaching and research labs, a library, a computer lab, meeting rooms, a conference hall and a pilot plant. The pilot plant is being equipped to host the Technology and Business Incubation Center (TBIC).
To commemorate the last two decades of fulfilling growth, the Department currently headed by Assoc. Professor John H. Muyonga (PhD), a pioneer student himself and recipient of the TWAS prize for Young Scientists by the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology organized a series of events aimed at raising awareness.
The first of these was a charity walk held on 26th September 2009 aimed at raising a total of 65,280,000 Uganda Shillings for the purchase of laboratory equipment. The walk, which started at the Department’s complex, saw walkers go through Wandegeya, Yusuf Lule road to Garden City, Jinja road, Parliamentary and Kimathi Avenues, Speke Road and back to Makerere University Main Campus. The Chief Walker was Professor James Mulwana and the walkers included Professor Ddumba Ssentamu, then acting Vice Chancellor and the Dean of Agriculture, Professor Sam Kyamanywa.
Exhibitions, which run from 30th September to 2nd October 2009, provided an opportunity for industrialists and researchers to showcase their innovations in the food industry to the general public and also forge ties between themselves and other stakeholders. Some of the products on display included Pasteurized banana Juice, indigenous malted and fermented cereal products, Sorghum flakes, Tomato paste, Jackfruit Jam, Watermelon wine, Campus water, Gooseberry Jam, Chutney, Gooseberry juice, peanut butter, Mango sauce, Bee products like honey, propolis and wine. Also on exhibition were services like Body Mass Index and blood glucose measurement for healthy lifestyle promotion.
A dialogue was also held from 30th to 1st October 2009, during which food industry stakeholders took time off to reflect on the performance of the sector and develop strategies for its strengthening. The dialogue was officially opened by Honorable Simon Lokodo, Minister of State for Industry and was addressed by the Dean Faculty of Agriculture Professor Samuel Kyamanywa and the Head of the Department of Food Science & Technology. The FAO Country representative H.E. Percy Misika presented a paper titled. Addressing hunger and food shortage in the face of climate change.
Other papers presented are listed below:
- Quality and competitiveness of the food industry in Uganda by Mr. H. Ngabirano of UCDA
- The role of standards in food businesses by Gyavira Musoke of Uganda Bureau of Standards
- Modernization of Agriculture in Uganda: Role of Agricultural Scientists by Prof. Bernard Bashasha – Faculty of Agriculture
- Food Science impacting on grass root development by Dr Florence Muranga Department of Food Science & Technology
- Versatility of a Food Science graduate by Gorret Massade of Trusts Bank
- Higher Education for a knowledge based food industry by Prof. William Kyamuhangire – DFST
- Nutrition as a business/ service to address Uganda’s dynamic nutritional challenges by Dr R. Mwadime of the RCQHC
- Harnessing university – private sector partnerships for development by Joseph Rubalema of Uganda Industrial Research Institute
The participants at the dialogue resolved to continue working towards promoting University-Industry linkage for mutual benefit.
On the final day of the anniversary, as the sun started to dip over the horizon a gentle breeze heralded the arrival of the Chief Guest, His Excellency, President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. After being received by the Minister of State for Higher Education Hon. Mwesigwa Rukutana, the Minister of State for Industry Hon. Simon Lokodo and members of the University Administration, the President led by the Head of Department Assoc. Prof. John Muyonga and Assoc. Prof. Joyce Kikafunda went ahead to tour the stalls and admire the products on display.
His Excellency then proceeded to officially open the Food Technology and Business Incubator. The incubator will provide support services to small food processors to enhance their chances of success. Incubation is a proven mechanism for enterprise development. In this regard The Department of Food Science and Technology at Makerere University is taking the lead in provision of incubation services for the food sector.
The president was then shown around the facility by a team led by Dr. Yusuf Byaruhanga, the Chairman of the Food Technology and Business Incubation Committee, assisted by Dr. Mohammed Sserunjogi and Mr. Joseph Balamaze. The team demonstrated the extraction of orange and process for making tomato sauce, among others.
After his tour of the Food Technology and Business Incubator, the President addressed a gathering of Government officials, University Members of staff and members of the business community in the Department’s Conference Hall. Also in attendance was Her Excellency Bjorg S. Leite, the Ambassador Royal Republic of Norway to Uganda. In his speech, the President emphasized the importance of value addition and promised to help student groups, whose stalls he had toured earlier help to commercialize their products. He also promised to help the Department to more food processing and laboratory equipment and agreed to be the patron to the newly opened Food Technology and Business Incubation Center.
Addressing some of the grievances faced by the upcoming entrepreneurs, the president promised to help the department overcome the problem of food packaging by linking them to producers of packaging materials. He further reiterated government’s commitment to improve pay for scientists and help pursue improvement in research funding.
He then handed out awards to five organizations/individuals for their contribution to the department
To the Government and People of the Royal Kingdom of Norway for helping fund construction of the Department’s 3.8 billion Uganda Shillings home
Associate Professor Joyce Kikafunda , who served as the Head of Department for 12 years
Dr. David Muduuli – the first Head of Department
Dr. Eve Kasirye-Alemu – for her selfless service to the Department
Mr. Benjamin Sentongo – for his long and dedicated service to the Department
Finally, His Excellency flanked by the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, The Head of Department, and The Minister of State for Higher Education cut the cake commemorating the 20th anniversary and marking an end to the celebrations.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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