There is a lot one can do with papyrus. As government and various pro-environment activists fight to preserve wetlands in Uganda, researchers and various stakeholders are on the ground discovering how papyrus can help alleviate poverty in Africa.

There is a lot one can do with papyrus. As government and various pro-environment activists fight to preserve wetlands in Uganda, researchers and various stakeholders are on the ground discovering how papyrus can help alleviate poverty in Africa.

The first African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) Papyrus conference that was held on 30th April, 2010 was aimed at sensitizing all those concerned including policy makers, researchers, farmers and users on the importance of this plant.

Mr. Seki Tetsuo, the Chief Representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) graced the conference, highlighting that AICAD has played a significant contribution to poverty reduction through research and knowledge dissemination.

“Involvement of community is necessary for poverty reduction but it is not easy to achieve because they lack access to information. All of us need to think together to promote development. This is one of the ways we can do this, hoping it will help to find a more efficient way for AICAD to work in the preservation of papyrus.” Mr. Seki said.

AICAD primarily endeavors to achieve poverty reduction and social economic development by facilitating the local people to solve problems in Africa. AICAD is working hand in hand with African universities and institutions in trying to evolve a more practical perspective in their education and research functions and hence accelerate human capacity development in the African region.

“AICAD has supported a number of projects especially in the areas of agriculture, all in a bid to reduce poverty in Africa through human resource development. AICAD originated from the idea of setting up a Base for African Human Capacity Building (BAHCB)” said Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire, AICAD Country Director.

During the one day conference, topics ranging from community based wetlands management, the economic importance of papyrus, to technological advancement of papyrus usage were discussed.

As the conference was concluded, decisions of further research into the productivity of papyrus were reached and it is hoped that the future will see the rise of papyrus as a significant contributor to development in Uganda.

See below for Downloads from the Conference 

Conference Brochure  

Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire's presentation  

Economic Importance of Papyrus Vegtation – Dr. J. N. Jjumba

Aspects of Papyrus Stock Assessment and Harvesting in Uganda – Kyambadde Richard

Technological advancement of Papyrus usage – Dr. M.K. Musaazi 

AICAD's Efforts to Support Projects for Poverty Alleviation – Benson Odongo

Community Based Wetland Management Planning Process – Barugahare Vincent  

Wetlands. What are they? Their Benefits – Kiwazi Fredrick