The Agriculture Science Week is the continental gathering of all stakeholders in African agriculture aimed at creating an open space for networking and exchanging information and knowledge on agricultural innovations and on topical issues with a bearing on agricultural research and development.
This meeting is convened every three years and this year’s gathering is running under the theme; “Africa feeding Africa through Science and Innovations."
Opening the conference Monday morning at the Accra International Conference Center, the Chairman of the FARA Board Dr. Tiemoko Yo observed that food and nutrition insecurity remain cardinal problems especially in Africa. Dr. Tiemoko challenged Africans to stump out hunger from the continent saying that Africa has a great potential to feed itself given that 60% of its arable land remains un-utilized and the remaining 40% bears crops with low yields.
The Ghanaian Minister of Food & Agriculture, Clement Kofi Humado challenged African universities to come up with home- grown food security innovations for their countries.
The outgoing FARA Executive Director, Prof Monty Jones said, “there is no better country to host this kind of meeting than Ghana, one of the few African countries that have succeeded in turning around its economy, cutting down hunger thereby remaining on track to achieving the 1st Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger and poverty by 2015”.
Participants visiting the Makerere University stall are impressed by the innovations, technologies and products that are being showcased at the exhibition. They have however expressed concern as to why the products are not available for sale.
CAES is showcasing her latest innovations and technologies including the Makerere Bio-fertilizer which fixes nitrogen in the soil, the Soil Testing Kit used for semi quantitative evaluation of five nutrient investigative parameters namely soil Ph, potassium, nitrogen, organic matter and Phosphurus.
Others are the new sweet sorghum variety (MUK60), which is drought tolerant, for the production of food and bio fuels, four varieties of Mak Soya, which are resistant to leaf rust disease, early maturing and high yielding.
The College is also exhibiting the Milk Booster, the Calf Accelerator and the Briquettes made from industrial and agricultural wastes. The Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO) used in organic farming is also on display. A variety of items from the Food Technology and Business and Incubation Centre (FTBIC) have also attracted conference participants to the Makerere University booth. These include the preserved grass hoppers (Nsenene), Bean sauce, Mc peas, Amaranth flour, Smile bean sauce, Canned Kantunkuma, Campus pineapple, Tea Mujaja, Mudalasini, Ginger, Gooseberry Jam, Omulondo liquer, Ajon (improved Malwa), Dawn juice, Goose berry juice, Nutreal cookies, and Pinnacle Banana Juice among others.
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) is showcasing her skills development and employment programs offered through the AFRISA partnership institute. The programs involve value addition to animal products and are essential for job creation especially among the youth. Shoes and belts made by Students of Leather Industry and Business; one of the 11 skills development program are also being showcased.
A number of Makerere University dons including Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, CAES, CoVAB’s Principal Prof. John David Kabasa, Veteran Professor Elly Sabiiti, Prof. Moses Tenywa Makoma and Dr. Donald Kugonza among others are participating in different forums. Also present is a team from RUFORUM led by the Executive Director, Prof. Adipala Ekwamu. They have so far participated in discussions on reforming curricular in higher agricultural education in Africa, climate smart villages in Africa: opportunities for farmers and communities, capacity strengthening for agricultural innovations among others.
Another team led by Makerere UniversityBranding and Marketing Manager Agaba Issa Mugabo includes CAES and CoVAB’s Communication officers strategically positioned in the Makerere stall showcasing the latest technologies and innovations.
The science week has been internationally recognized as the apex gathering of all stakeholders in African agricultural research and development. It has attracted key decision makers in governments within and outside Africa such as Ministers, Parliamentarians, key players in the private sector, leaders of civil society and farmers’ organizations, women groups and leaders in agricultural research and development.
This milestone event is taking place from 15th-20th July 2013 and will be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama on Thursday July 18, 2013.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.