In true representation of the recently celebrated World Water Day and the Nile, guests were ushered into the Main hall, adorned in blue décor. On hand to receive guests who included The Norwegian Ambassador, Rwandan and United Republic of Tanzania High Commissioners were the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Prof Tore  – Director NBRP and Prof. Edward Kirumira-The NBRP Regional Host.

In true representation of the recently celebrated World Water Day and the Nile, guests were ushered into the Main hall, adorned in blue décor. On hand to receive guests who included The Norwegian Ambassador, Rwandan and United Republic of Tanzania High Commissioners were the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Prof Tore  – Director NBRP and Prof. Edward Kirumira-The NBRP Regional Host.

Emcee of the day and Regional Coordinator NBRP, Dr. Margaret Kyakuwa welcomed the Chief Guest, Hon. Jessica Eriyo – State Minister for Water, who represented Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, Minister of Water and Environment as well as all the guests who’d spared time to attend the launch.

Prof. Edward K. Kirumira, who also coordinates the Makerere/University of Bergen (UiB) Collaboration, recognized the presence of Vice Chancellors from Sister Universities present, as well as former Vice Chancellor Prof. Livingstone Luboobi. In his address, Prof. Kirumira took note of the active relationships with the University of Khartoum, Juba, National University of Rwanda, and Addis Ababa University as well the recent bond with Cairo University. These relationships he added, were testament to the power of the Nile “The books we are about to launch are yet another confirmation of the jewel that the Nile Basin countries are privileged to own, share, study, nurture and guard jealously.” In relation to sustainable Land use and citing his recent trip to Egypt, he further testified “I saw trucks after trucks packed with tomatoes heading for the consumptive urban populations. This was contrasted against a nicely desert condition terrain. This for me drove home the power of the Nile than I had ever imagined.”

In his keynote address, Prof Tore Saetersdal – Director NBRP recognized the enormous potential for collaboration amongst the Nile Basin countries. He justified the hosting of this programme at UiB by recognizing that as Bergen is “in a faraway place”, it provided the most conducive atmosphere for Independent and Free research so as to be able to contribute to a peaceful and sustainable solution for the Nile agreement.

Prof.  also appreciated the Nile Basin University Forum (NBUF), which was launched in Kampala in June 2009 with eighteen Nile Basin Universities as inauguration members. An initiative of the NBRP, the NBUF will promote collaboration, staff and student exchange and joint curricula on the Nile across language and cultural barriers.

A brief presentation on the book “The River Nile in post-colonial age” by Prof. James Muliira highlighted the first comprehensive and detailed account of the Nile Water as a resource. This was shortly followed by Dr. Godfrey Asiimwe’s presentation on the research experience in Bergen, which by his observation required more affirmative action for females to enable them undertake research in larger numbers. Dr. Roberts Muriisa, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in his presentation acknowledged NBRP for diversifying the research component and opportunities to include MUST, Uganda Christian University, Mukono (UCU) as well as other Universities. With regard to Shaping Research Universities, he examined the need for Universities to establish the relevant research by examining its as well as who should determine the relevant research.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba in his address commended the NBRP for the great strides made so far and appreciated the relevance of the book launch to Makerere University, as it currently holds the Chairmanship of the Inter-Universities Council for East Africa. Before inviting the Chief Guest, Prof. Baryamureeba challenged the Makerere community to utilize the opportunities in the Nile Basin region and contribute to knowledge creation, transfer and partnerships.

The Chief Guest Hon. Jessica Eriyo commended the NBRP for publishing their research but challenged other stakeholders to do more research in a relevant and continuous way so as to inform policy. “Research work should not remain in the shelves. It should be publicized so as to inform policy” she added. Referring to The United Nation’s declaration of the year 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), Hon. Eriyo encouraged to diversify their research “The Nile is not just water, the Nile habours a lot of biodiversity that we must focus on this year.” She then proceeded to officially launch the publications.

Dr. Tickodri Togboa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Finance & Administration and Host, Nile Basin Universities’ Forum proceeded to give closing remarks.

 Click here for Prof. Saetersdal's presentation

 Click here for the Vice-Chancellor's speech