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Mak Releases Another New Soybean Variety Maksoy 6N

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A new soybean variety Maksoy 6N has been released to the public.

  • The new variety is resistant to soybean rust disease, harsh conditions, lodging and pod shuttering.
  • It is also high yielding, early maturing with high protein and oil content of 41% and 20 % respectively.
  • This variety matures in less than 120 days and produces over 20 tons per hectare.
  • The new variety was released by the National Variety Release Committee at the Department of Crop protection at Namalere under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) on Friday 24th November 2017.
  • It is the sixth soybean variety released by Makerere University’s Department of Agricultural Production since 2004.

The National Variety Release Committee chaired by Dr. Joseph Kikafunda was satisfied by the data presented by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa –Makerere’s Plant breeder and the brain behind the breeding and development of the new soybean variety.

Maksoy 6N is a cross between Nam 2 and GC 00138-29. Nam 2 was developed and released in Uganda (1992) while GC 00138-29 is a rust resistant parental line from AVRDC, Taiwan.

Presenting his application to the Variety Release Committee Prof. Tukamuhabwa said the breeding process started in 2012 with making selections.

“Today I am very pleased to inform you that we have gone through the process that has enabled us release another soybean variety for Uganda which has been named Maksoy 6N for Makerere University and for Uganda at large.

This is very important because in our breeding system, we have to keep developing new varieties because the varieties we have, keep on getting pests and diseases which make them susceptible. So today, we have successfully defended and released a new variety that is highly resistant to soybean rust which is the major disease of soybean in Uganda and the world at large.” The professor explained.

The crosses that were developed into this new variety according to the professor were developed into populations, later selected and  tested in over eight locations in the different districts of Uganda where soybean is highly grown.

He said  in all the trials, it turned out that this variety is outstanding compared the varieties present,  the reason  the committee was convinced  and was able to release this new variety.

The Professor’s claims were validated by the officials from MAAIF represented by Mr. Siraje Nyende who said the assessment done re-affirmed the Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability of the new variety recommending it for the release.

“When we make crosses and develop population, we test them because we are not breeding for people at Makerere University or around Kabanyolo but we are doing it for the whole country and world. So we test these new varieties that we develop in several locations.

Most of these are in Northern Uganda where soybean is widely grown and this is especially in Ngetta, West Nile and Eastern Uganda in Jinja, Iki-Iki in Budaka district, in Hoima and Kasese. However in the regions where soybean is grown on large scale, we also choose specific farmers where we have tested on farmers’ fields so that farmers are capable of telling us that they like them” He added.

Prof. Tukamuhabwa explained that the protein in the in the Soybean is without cholesterol and is an opportunity to some sections of the population which does not take meat because all the amino acids necessary for the body are available.

“Of course it does not mean eating soybean alone but eating food blended with soybean. And you know it is meat grown from the soil. Any Ugandan can grow this soybean and what they need is knowledge how to process it”. Prof. Tukamuhabwa noted.

This soybean according to Prof. Tukamuhabwa is also good because it is high yielding and it has high oil and protein content which are very useful for factories to process soybean oil and soybean meal used in the livestock industry.

“It is also good news to see that at Makerere University we don’t only stop at teaching plant breeding but also develop new varieties that can be used by farmers who are the end users and also factories that process soybean into products.

The variety is able to withstand harsh conditions and is resistant to podshuttering. The genes contained in this variety are very important ergonomically and it is on this basis that they are being released,” Tukamuhabwa explained.

The Assistant plant breeder Mr. Tonny Obua said the seed companies are interested in oil and protein content because that is what gives them more income.

“The lowest  they should receive is 36% protein  then oil 18% minimum and we feel more confident  this variety”.

Mr. Obua added that the university has been producing adequate foundation seed ranging between 25-30 tons per season culminating to  over 50 tons annually.

“we are already  increasing  bulk seed for this new variety. Our last release in 2013 was Maksoy 3N and 4N and no seed company  in Uganda  has said they lack foundation seed”, Obua said.

He added that Busoga and South Western Hills of Mbale  that used not to grow soybean were now engaged in soybean growing.

Soybean – a “Miracle crop”.

Soybean has been defined as a “Miracle crop” of many uses by American Soybean Association.

Others call it the golden crop – the gold that develop from the soil and the crop of the future.

Soybean produces more usable protein per hectare than any other crop and costs less in relative terms.

In Uganda soybean is used as human food, cooking oil, livestock feed and income earner. It also improves soil properties.

According to the American Soybean Association, whole soybean has 22 products; soybean oil has 53 products while soybean meat or flour has 48 products. The products are used as human food, for technical, industrial and animal feeds.

“If Ugandans or policy makers knew, they would adopt soybean as a crop to get us from real poverty.  Because from these soybean, you can get soy milk, soy yoghurt and ice cream and that already tells you that this is really an extra ordinary crop.

After we have extracted oil we also get the most priced cake among all protein cakes in the crops processed all over the world. This is an internationally traded commodity you can never have”, Prof.  Tukamuhabwa said.

Tukamuhabwa noted that here in Uganda soybean production can contribute to food security and industry growth.

“When you grow soybean and blend it with maize you will develop the animal industry, and by so doing you also have food, the animals are well-fed then you improve food security. So the sure way is to develop the soybean sub sector and you blend it with other crops”. He said

He observed that Brazil and Argentina’s economies are dependent on soybean because they have purposely selected soybean to advance their economies. He added that soybean has properties that can develop any economy even better than coffee.

“In Uganda soybean grows very well so it is up to our choice and you will not get another crop that can outcompete soybean in the type of products that you can get.

It is a crop with self sustaining properties because it will improve soils, improve agribusiness, increase food security at house level and improve all factories that have mushroomed.

When factories come up people get work and there is total benefit by everybody when you invest in soybean”. Prof. Tukamuhabwa stated.

He challenged citizens to reflect on how they choose commodities to invest in saying, there is enough evidence that those who have invested in soybean, its incomparable.

“So it is up to our people and our countries to make choice but soybean is a crop for the future that we must invest in. It is a challenge to us as a country”. The Makerere Don advised.

Report compiled by:
Jane Anyango
Communication Officer, CAES

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Mark Wamai

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2025 K-POP Festival: Online Auditions

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2025 K-POP Festival, 8th November 2025, Yusuf Lule Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uganda is organizing the 2025 K-POP Festival in Uganda. K-POP stands for Korean Popular Music and this festival will include a K-POP singing or dancing contest open to both individuals and groups. There will be online auditions and a grand festival open to the public.

1. Eligibility

  • The contest is open to all Ugandans
  • Participation is as an individual or in a group

2. How to apply

Record a video of yourself of about 3 minutes of dancing or singing to a K-POP song. Upload the video on your Social Media or YouTube with the hashtag #2025KPOPUG and copy and paste the link to the video in the application form at https://han.gl/kE1xN. The application deadline is 17th October 2025.

The GRAND K-POP FESTIVAL will be held on 8th November 2025 starting 1:00PM at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University.

There will also be a K-POP Random Play Dance Event and everyone is invited to participate and watch.

Mak Editor

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Makerere University Council and Top Management Convene Strategic Planning Retreat

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Members of the University Council together with Management in a group photo at consultative meeting towards the formulation of the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026–2029/2030.

The Makerere University Council and Top Management have today convened at Speke Resort Munyonyo to deliberate on the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. The retreat seeks to align Makerere’s priorities with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute to shaping the institution’s next five years.

Opening the discussions, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the centrality of planning in the University’s growth trajectory. He called on members of management to actively participate in the drafting of the new strategic plan. Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress in recent years, noting that the University has drawn a roadmap to becoming a research-led institution, with publications rising from 700 five years ago to 2,000 currently.

He further pointed out the revision of research policies to align with the University’s research agenda, as well as the establishment of innovation hubs that support product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property management. Commending staff for their resilience and success, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated them on winning significant individual grants, some of which now surpass institutional grants. “NDP IV is intended to grow the country tenfold, and I am confident Makerere will make a huge contribution,” he remarked.

Mrs. Lorna Magara

In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, described the retreat as a defining moment for Makerere’s role in Uganda’s transformation. She urged the University to move beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning itself as a central driver of national development.

“Our mandate extends beyond academia. The knowledge we generate, the leaders we shape, and the innovations we deliver must directly fuel Uganda’s growth,” Mrs. Magara stated.

She outlined priority national development areas— agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based development, and advances in science and technology—where Makerere’s expertise can make a decisive impact. Emphasising the urgency of challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile health systems, she noted that within these lie opportunities for Makerere to lead in testing and scaling solutions.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

“This retreat is about discipline and focus. Our strategy cannot be a wish list; it must be a blueprint for measurable national impact,” she said, challenging participants to critically reflect on how Makerere can anchor Uganda’s food security, nurture digital innovators, strengthen health resilience, and raise transformative leaders.

She concluded with a call for boldness and clarity in execution: “The next five years are decisive. Makerere must shift from being a participant in national development to being its strongest driver. What we agree here must position Makerere not only as Uganda’s premier university but also as a trusted national partner and a beacon of Africa’s transformation.”

Participants in a group discussion

The retreat involved detailed discussions and contributions from University leaders, aimed at developing a practical and impact-driven strategic plan that cements Makerere’s role in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Makerere University signs Memorandum of Understanding with International Rescue Committee to Advance Research, Innovation and Partnerships

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Prof. Anthony Mugagga (Left), Principal of MakCEES exchanging the MoU with Mr. Elijah Okuyo, Country Director, IRC

Makerere University has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Rescue Committee to formalize undertakings in research, innovation & partnerships.

Signed in September 2025 by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the Country Director, International Rescue Committee,  Mr. Elijah Okeyo, the MoU provides a framework to implement research intensive programmes, promote innovative teaching and learning, internationalization, and contribute to societal transformation.

According to Mr. Okeyo, the MoU re-affirms Makerere University as the academic partner of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). “This MoU formalizes IRC’s working relationship with Makerere University. This framework empowers both institutions to tap into opportunities together. We believe in equal partnership. Makerere University commits to being our partner in research to contribute to evidence based humanitarian undertakings,” he said.

Under this collaboration, Makerere University and IRC will work on developing child-centered learning resources, innovative curricula, and policy-relevant research to enhance the quality of education in crisis-affected regions.

At Makerere University, the MoU brings on board, the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Research Centre.

To concretize the MoU, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga convened a partnership meeting on Friday 12th September 2025  involving a delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Dr. David Kabugo, the Deputy Director of Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER),  and Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Communication Officer.

Mak CEES and IRC partnership meeting in progress

The delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) consisted of the following: Mr. Elijah Okeyo-Country Director, Mr. Vincent Wanyama-Senior Program Development and Quality Coordinator,  Mr. Richard Omasete-Policy and Advocacy PlayMatters, and Ms. Janet Nambuya-Grants and Partnerships Coordinator.

The MoU focuses on the following areas of interest: Early Childhood Development, joint research and capacity building in education, the plight of refugees and the host communities, humanitarian aid, as well as, evidence based research to inform the education policy.

In line with its mandate, IRC brings onboard, its unmatched expertise in helping children in crisis-affected areas. The MoU therefore positions both institutions to undertake a leading role in the protection of children and families through evidence based research, access to education, and humanitarian undertakings.

Dr. Kabugo, the Deputy Director MITER, noted that the MoU opens new opportunities for joint efforts in research, training, and policy. He said: “We are committed to co-designing practitioner research, engaging in professional development, and generating evidence to guide the education policy in Uganda and beyond.” Dr. Kabugo explained that this partnership builds on years of cooperation between CEES and IRC, especially in child-centered methods such as play-based learning.

Prof. Mugagga described the MOU as a practical framework that connects Makerere University’s research with IRC’s field experiences. He stated that the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) conducts programmes focused on the future of the young people through training and empowering students/teachers. He articulated that the College significantly impacts on the education sector through delivery of quality academic programmes and research under the School of Education, School of  Distance and Lifelong Learning, and the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development.

“Our strongest synergy is education and early child-focused care,” Prof. Mugagga emphasized. He revealed that the collaboration presents CEES with a strong and reliable partner (IRC), which stands for protection and the well-being of children and families. “Through this MoU, both CEES and IRC, will significantly contribute to improving education for children, families, and communities impacted by conflict and crisis.”

Prof. Mugagga commended IRC for the earlier support and expertise extended to the College in the development of the early childhood centre, and working together to provide valuable input during the Ministry of Education and Sports’ consultative process that led to the Early Childhood development policy.

Reflecting on the increasing number of refugees enrolling for studies at Makerere University, Prof. Mugagga  said: “ IRC has come at the right time. The College will tap into the IRC expertise to teach our staff and learners components in refugee education. They will equip our students and teachers with knowledge and skills in refugee education. Some of our students will cooperate with IRC to undertake research in refugee settlement and host communities.”

[L-R] Dr. David Kabugo, Deputy Director (MITER), Mr. Vincent Wanyama (IRC), Prof. Anthony Mugagga (Principal, MakCEES), Mr. Elijah Okeyo( Country Director-IRC), Ms. Janet Nambuya (IRC), Mr. Richard Omasette (IRC) and Ms. Ritah Namisango, PCO (MakCEES)

Prof. Mugagga implored both MITER and IRC to undertake research and develop modules on refugee education, parenting, re-tooling street children, integration of a health component into the curriculum, and management of truamatised students/learners who come from areas affected by war, conflict and crisis.

On the issue of play materials, Prof. Mugagga stressed that already made play materials derial creativing. “Both CEES and IRC should work towards a context that empowers children and learners to ignite their creative potential by developing home-made play materials,” he submitted.

About IRC

Stating a brief profile history about IRC, Mr. Okeyo explained that IRC is a global non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to people affected by conflict and disaster. IRC has been active in Uganda since 1998, originally assisting displaced populations in Northern Uganda and later expanding its efforts to refugee settlements and urban areas.. Currently, IRC operates more than 35 health facilities in refugee settlements and runs a variety of programs in health, education, protection, and economic recovery. IRC also undertakes projects focusing on early childhood development, prevention of gender-based violence, and protection of refugees and families.

Ritah Namisango
Ritah Namisango

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