General
Low Funding of Market Information Systems Limiting Agric Productivity
In the ideal world, Market Information Systems (MIS) are a farmer’s lifeline. In an instant, the farmer is able to analyse the best market for his agricultural produce; thanks to the volume of information flowing through the supply chains, hence ensuring increased transparency.
In the ideal world, Market Information Systems (MIS) are a farmer’s lifeline. In an instant, the farmer is able to analyse the best market for his agricultural produce; thanks to the volume of information flowing through the supply chains, hence ensuring increased transparency.
The development of the Internet has further reinforced the ability of MIS to provide valuable service to the agricultural sector.
However, these systems have been carefully built up over time, thanks to the provision of improved agricultural market information and continuous investment. In the Seventh PhD Dissemination series, Dr. Andrew Muganga Kizito a Lecturer in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, College of Business and Management Sciences, made a presentation on the role of MIS in agricultural marketing, the characteristics of information, and the environment in which the MIS operates and hence some of the ways of funding MIS activities.
Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) in her welcome remarks stressed the importance of the dissemination series as an avenue for staff to share research from their respective disciplines, with the university community. This sharing it is further envisaged will create a community of scholars and help in the formation of research networks and chains.
“We must encourage interdisciplinary research, because that is the only way we will be able to effectively solve the problems of society,” she added.
In his presentation Dr. Muganga noted that well designed MIS helped create a level playing field by improving the welfare of agricultural producers as a result of providing up-to-date market information, hence creating a level playing field and increasing production supply. These advances would in turn foster the development of polices, and provide a monitoring tool for both governments and donor agencies.
Dr. Muganga further examined characteristics of information like indivisibility, non-appropriability, non-rivalry, quality uncertainty; a complicated property, whereby users cannot judge whether the information being offered is good or bad until they have purchased/obtained it. However this property leads to the creation of a high information cost good, which the user is likely not to buy, or most certainly under invest in it. He then looked at the perishability of the information that considers the importance of information, based on the frequency of availability i.e. whereas a farmer might require the information on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to sustain his business, a policymaker on the other hand would be comfortable with receiving a batch of the same information monthly or every other month.
He further examined factors relating to the environment in which an MIS operates such as; inflation, which would lead to price uncertainty, hence increasing the demand for a market information system, while factors like high number of traders in the market would almost eliminate the need for the MIS as they’d each seek to attract the most number of buyers by offering the best market price.
In concluding his presentation, Dr. Muganga outlined four ways of funding MIS activities as: administrative or government funding using tax money; a combination of administrative and donor funding, and private effective demand; tie-in-sale of market information and members fees; and private effective demand through subscriptions fees and information sales.
In his reactions, the discussant Dr. Barnabas Kiiza, Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences tasked the presenter to examine scenarios of how the small holder farmers may be able to benefit from a MIS scenario analysis of the Ugandan market, given that there were no MIS operating on a large scale. He also noted the need to examine the different African MIS models and identify a hybrid which is easily accessible to small holder farmers, considering that most MIS are ICT-based.
For any research findings to be effective, it ought to address the planning and policy needs of a nation. Dr. Wilberforce Kisamba-Mugerwa, the Chairman, National Planning Authority who graced the occasion commended the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) for the innovation of research dissemination. He commended the presenter for capturing the gaps in MIS design and further charged him to come up with a policy brief.
The Chief Guest Dr. Fred Muhumuza, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commended Dr. Muganga for choosing the agricultural market information sector to conduct his research, observing that this was a relatively untapped sector.
He challenged the university as the largest and premier public institution to continue supporting policy makers “As the premier public university, you cannot afford not to be the largest but must at the same time continue to give us that premier cream that we the policy makers cannot get from anywhere else” he added. He further urged the university to disseminate to both public and target audiences.
Dr. Muhumuza further urged the presenter to narrow down on areas like; small scale, large scale, value adders and processors, inputs, and so on, considering that production and productivity are a big agenda for the Government of Uganda.
Downloads
Dr. Andrew Muganga Kizito Abstract: doc (37KB), pdf (11KB)
7th PhD Dissemination Poster: pdf (319KB)
During the afternoon of September 21, 2026, Makerere University played host to regional discussions as students, academics, and government officials gathered to commemorate the International Day of Peace under the theme “Investing in Regional Peace and Trade for Shared Prosperity”.
The event organised by the Makerere University 92nd Guild Security Ministry in partnership with the Global Peace Guild, served as the official launch of the East African Peace and Trade Law Moot Court Competition. The idea was conceived as an annual event where the youth across East Africa will gather to deliberate on the nexus between regional peace and trade in fostering regional integration.
Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of Makerere University Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga graced the event, welcomed the distinguished guests and set a reflective tone for the day.
Reminiscing about his old days the VC noted, “lecturers were the ones who used to come and talk about politics, economics, and law but somehow, somewhere, things never went well”. He appreciated the Students’ Guild, and all who were involved in organising the celebration and launch for a good job done.
Prof. Mugagga further encouraged students to look beyond the classroom, urging them to engage in critical debates in different sectors while emphasising that peace is a prerequisite for all development.
People anchor Trade – Keynote address
Representing the guest of honor who was the Minister of State for East African Community Affairs Hon. James Magode Ikuya, Dr. Andrew Musiime – Commissioner for Political Affairs, delivered a keynote address.
His entry was that you cannot talk about trade and not talk about people. Trade is done by people, and therefore as a Ministry, they facilitate free movement of people.
Dr. Musiime provided a comprehensive breakdown of the East African Community (EAC) as an intergovernmental organisation.
“So it is an intergovernmental organisation. Therefore, the governments remain with their constitution, the governments remain with their sovereignty, the governments remain with their national boundaries, the governments remain with their national laws, Musiime explained.”
He mentioned that the East African Community is anchored on the four pillars for integration that is the Customs Union, the Common Market, the Political Federation and Monetary Union.
Dr. Musiime equally challenged the students to move beyond theory, urging them to research the EAC treaty and actively participate in regional integration.
In a gesture of togetherness, he told the distinguished guests that the Ministry operates an open door policy for students and those interested in engaging can apply for opportunities across the Ministry’s various departments.
From UPE to the Halls of Parliament
The event also featured inspiring remarks from the National Female Youth Member of Parliament, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye. Reflecting on her own journey from Universal Primary Education (UPE) to the halls of Parliament, she delivered a powerful message on peace and security.
In agreement with Prof. Muggaga, she linked the day’s theme to the practical realities of trade, noting that sustainable trade can not exist without peace.
“This moot competition is therefore not just academic exercise. It’s a training ground for the next generation of East African traders, lawyers, negotiators, judges, policy makers who will defend the spirit of our East African common market and our custom union”, Kanyesigye told the attendees.
92nd Guild Calls for Embracing Dialogue
Hon. Denis Mabirizi, the Minister of Security for the Makerere University 92nd Guild, underscored the event’s purpose by highlighting that peace is the foundation for justice, opportunity, and cooperation. He then called upon the student community to reject violence and intolerance, urging them to use dialogue and established leadership structures to address their concerns.
Mabirizi also emphasized that universities are not just centers of academic excellence, but places where the leaders of tomorrow are shaped.
“Universities are not only centers of academic excellence, they are also places where future leaders are shaped. The conversations we have, the values we promote, and the decisions we make today will influence the kind of society we create tomorrow. Peace begins with each one of us, Mabirizi noted.”
The Global Peace Guild Initiative
Mr. Joseph Micheal Tenywa, the founder and President of the Global Peace Guild, shared the vision behind the organization. He explained that the Global Peace Guild was born out of a desire to involve young people in the promotion of peace, trade, and regional integration.
“Global Peace Guild is an initiative born out of a desire to have young people get involved into the promotion of peace, trade, and regional integration.”
He reminded the audience that regional integration would only become a reality when young people actively participate in the market and hold policy makers accountable.
“As we commemorate the International Day of Peace, it’s an invitation for young people to get involved, not only in ensuring that there is no violence, but that we also put in place the conditions that take our strength, and these are our economic provisions, we call it trade.”
The launch of the East African Peace and Trade Law Moot Court Competition marks a significant milestone for the student community as it brings together academic rigor with a focus on regional policy.
International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21, 2026, under the unified United Nations theme: “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”. The day emphasizes that achieving lasting peace requires continuous local action, shared civic responsibility, and strategic conflict mitigation to ensure long-term regional development.
Makerere University has urged female students admitted under the Makerere University Council Tuition and Functional Fees Waiver Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year to take the opportunity seriously, focus on their academic performance, and stay alert about their personal safety.
The message was delivered during an orientation for the scholarship beneficiaries at the Senate Conference Hall, where officials from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate welcomed the students and shared guidance on academic success, security, mentorship, and responsible social conduct.
The Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer cautions students on safety and self-reliance
Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer, congratulated the students on receiving the scholarship and urged them not to take it for granted.
She advised them to seek information from the relevant university offices instead of relying on assumptions or what fellow students tell them, and to keep records of official communication whenever they raise concerns or follow up on university matters.
Dr. Baine said students should take responsibility for their own security, warning them not to trust strangers easily and urging them to be careful about where they go and who they interact with.
She also reminded them that strong academic performance is required to keep the scholarship, and encouraged them to ask for help early whenever they face academic, social, or other challenges instead of waiting until the situation becomes harder to manage.
Students urged to aim for first-class results
The officers welcomed the students and encouraged them to put their studies first, urging them to aim for first-class academic results during their time at Makerere.
They advised them to use the academic support available to them, including help from course mates and any tutorials or mentoring offered within their colleges, and not to hesitate to seek assistance when they have concerns about their results or coursework.
The GMD team also spoke to scholars about personal safety, cautioning students against accepting help from strangers, including with luggage or transport, and referred to a recent incident in which a student’s belongings were stolen. She urged them to stay alert as they settled into university life.
Focus on academic foundations and safe social conduct
Other speakers, including Ms. Susan Mbabazi, who is the Principal Gender Officer, Ms. Abilat Lozirah, and Cynthia Ayaa Kamaketch emphasised the need to build a strong academic foundation from the start of the semester. They encouraged students to attend lectures regularly, read beyond classroom notes, use university resources such as internet access and the library, and develop steady study habits instead of waiting until exams are near.
They also warned students to be careful when meeting people they do not know well, advising them to hold academic discussions and social meetings in open, public spaces such as Freedom Square rather than in private rooms.
The students were also encouraged to seek mentorship from university staff and others who could guide them in their academic and career development, and to identify a mentor before leaving the orientation.
The orientation also pointed students to key university services and locations they should know, including the university health facilities, the Makerere Police Post, the Counselling and Guidance Centre, and places of worship on campus.
Speakers reminded the students that the scholarship gives them a chance to pursue their education at Makerere University, and that keeping it depends on their discipline, academic performance, and willingness to seek support when needed.
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