General
Ugandan Students Complete Israel Agrostudies Internship
Thirty-six Ugandan students who left for the 11-months agricultural apprenticeship programme in Israel last year have successfully completed their internship. Thirty-four are from Makerere University while two are from Busitema University. This is the first time Uganda has participated in this life-changing internship with great success.
The students who left in October 2013 have studied advanced agricultural techniques and technologies, combining hands on experience with theoretical studies. This has allowed them to gain valuable experience in large-scale modern farming which they are expected to implement upon their return to Uganda.
This international apprenticeship programme exposes students from countries in South East Asia, Africa and South America to Israel and to the most advanced commercial farming techniques on handpicked farms throughout the country. A total of 1,100 students from 18 countries participated in this year’s programme with 500 students originating from Africa.
The ceremony held at the Tel Aviv University Auditorium was attended by the Vice President of Malawi H.E Saulos Chilima, Head of MASHAV and former Israel Ambassador to East, Central and Southern Africa H.E. Ambassador Gil Haskel as well as several Ambassadors from participating countries. MASHAV is the Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ceremony was also attended by the delegation from Uganda who are on a fact-finding visit before sending their students for this internship. The Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, Prof. Maud Kamatenesi, led this delegation which also included; Prof. Anthony Mugisha, Dean School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University, Ms. Jaquiline Kyomuhendo-Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, Bishop Stuart University, Mr. Musita Augustus-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Busoga University, Mr. David Adengu-Academic Registrar, Bukalasa Agricultural College, Mrs. Beatrice Okinyal-Head, Department of Crop Production, Bukalasa Agricultural College, Eng. Henry Okinyal-Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and Mr. Agaba Issa Mugabo, Agrostudies Coordinator, East, Central & Southern Africa.
In his speech, the Agrostudies Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yaron Tamir hoped that students would use the acquired practical skills and experience to become leading agribusiness entrepreneurs in their respective countries. He noted that since the students had survived the difficulties facing Israel today, they are ready to face and overcome any challenge and achieve whatever they set out to do in life.
Mr. Tamir reminded the students that their choice of Israel as the apprenticeship destination placed a huge responsibility on their shoulders as future agriculture leaders in their countries to guarantee food security for their communities by putting into practice all they had learnt.
“The main reason why Agrostudies started this internship programme is to promote food security by empowering students from developing countries through a creative, dynamic, multicultural program that involves both academic studies and learning by doing, gaining real hands on experience in the field,” said Mr. Tamir.
He challenged the students to share the gained knowledge and practical skills with the students and farmers who did not get the opportunity to come to Israel. He said Israel is ready and will to help the students open their own farms and revealed that Agrostudies is looking at Uganda as their biggest hub in Africa for the internship.
In his remarks, Ambassador Gil Haskel shared that Israel’s philosophy was to freely share any technology developed in Israel with participating countries. He challenged the students to use the knowledge acquired in Israel to transform the agriculture sector in Africa. He challenged the students to open new farms of their own and turn them into financial successes in their countries.
Ambassador Haskel reminded the students that the main objective of this internship programme is to create leaders and entrepreneurs in agriculture so that they can make a positive difference in their countries and communities.
The African countries participating in the internship programme include: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo and Burkina Faso. Other countries are the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Bhutan and Vietnam from Asia and Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru from South America.
All participating students are housed on the farm so that they can experience the life of a farmer. For five days a week they work on farms where they complete their 'on the job' training, and attend theoretical classes once a week in one of Agrostudies campuses across Israel.
In the next intake (2014/2015), Uganda at 200 slots has been allocated highest number of apprenticeship positions while Rwanda has been allocated about 150 slots. The students return home on September 5, 2014.
Article by Agaba Issa Mugabo, Public Relations Office
Makerere University on Thursday 15th May, 2025 embarked on a two-day induction exercise spearheaded by the Directorate of Human Resources for newly appointed staff, whose tenures commenced in the 2024/2025 financial year. Held in the Senate Conference Hall, day one of the induction was presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Warmly welcoming the new staff, Prof. Buyinza congratulated the ladies and gentlemen upon choosing Makerere University as the workplace for embarking on their next phase of professional growth, self-discovery, and personal development.
“You are joining a century-old institution with a distinguished history and a deeply rooted culture of academic excellence” Prof. Buyinza remarked. “For over 100 years, Makerere has nurtured the intellectual talents of young people and contributed meaningfully to the development of society across the globe,” he added.
The Ag. DVCAA nevertheless tipped that although the onboarding process might overwhelm staff with a lot of information, it is all meant to enable them better understand their roles, the benefits due them, and the unique opportunities that come with working in a world-class institution. Prof. Buyinza therefore encouraged new staff to contribute to the attainment of Makerere’s Mission, connect with the vibrant community they are now part of, enjoy the beautiful greenery the campus affords, and take advantage of professional development as well as well-being promoting programmes.
“At Makerere University, the well-being, safety, and professional growth of our staff are priorities. We are committed to walking this journey with you, and to building an institution that is not only a place of work but a place of inspiration and belonging” Prof. Buyinza reassured.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni congratulated the new staff upon successfully completing the rigorous process the resulted into their respective appointments. He equally thanked the Vice Chancellor for endorsing the induction ceremony with not only budgetary support but also his representation.
Reiterating the need to appreciate the culture, politics and dynamics of the institution that they are now part of, Mr. Mujuni tasked new staff to take time and appreciate the University Vision, Mission and Objectives, and ensure that they adhere to them. He equally urged new staff to read and understand the various university policies and where in doubt, consult the relevant offices.
Ultimately, he urged staff in the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities not to disregard their individual goals. “You have aspirations that you must achieve as an individual and I encourage you not to neglect them.”
The University Council as the supreme governing body of the university is also the policy making body, whose Appointments Board oversees the appointment, promotion, removal from service, and discipline of all university staff and officers. The representative of Staff with Disabilities on University Council, Mr. Amon Muteganda Kabahima who chaired the session on University Governance equally congratulated new staff.
“You underwent a tough process full of various competitive stages and we are sure that we have the right people for the various jobs” he commended.
Addressing aspects of University Governance and the key Offices, the University Secretary and Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda guided that the policies and regulations that govern the institution are broad, numerous, and as such cannot adequately be covered over the two-day induction. He nevertheless encouraged staff to visit the University Policies website and appraise themselves with the details, not only for avoidance of breaching them but also building a culture voluntary compliance.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff not to ascribe importance and respect to colleagues based on rank and titles but seek to esteem each and every member of staff as an important and vital contributor to the fulfilment of the University’s Vision and Mission.
“We are all equally important in this university; the person whose services the university does not require, it does not hire. As long as you are here, you are required” he explained.
The University Secretary equally called upon staff to familiarize themselves with the law that establishes and governs public universities; the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA). In his presentation, he singled out section twenty-four (24) that outlines the objectives of a public university in Uganda, as well as sections 30 to 32 that prescribe various offices’ responsibilities.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff to read the Human Resources Manual, Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), the Safeguarding Policy, among others. He concluded by reiterating the need for staff to read and appreciate the policies that directly address their welfare and steer clear of negative narratives and discourse, particularly those that seek to weaponize discourse. Other topics to be covered during the two-day induction include; the University Strategic Plan, Financing, Research-led Agenda, Institutional Communication and Public Relations and the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS). Topics to be covered on day two include; Legal Instruments, The Collegiate System, Human Resources Management and Functions, as well as Policies on Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment. Others include; Academic Issues, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Audit, and Library Resources.
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