General
Mak Ranked Best Training Institution at 26th Source of the Nile Agricultural Show and Trade Fair
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University has won a prize and a certificate as the best training institutions in innovations during the 10 day agricultural show held from 13th to 22nd July, 2018 at the Source of the Nile Exhibition Grounds in Jinja..
The exhibitions were graded in 10 categories. These included; Heavy Machinery, Seed Companies, District Farm Institutes, Production Companies, National Research Institutes, Agriculture Line Ministries, NGOs, Finance and Banking Institutions, Donor Institutions, International Exhibitors and Training Institutions where Makerere University emerged the winner.
The evaluation team and judges conducted assessments throughout the ten days the show was held and the awards were made on 23rd July 2018. Both a winner and runner up were selected from each of the ten categories.
The function was presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja. The exhibitors were earlier visited by the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Hon. Edward Ssekandi.
CAES was represented by 35 exhibitors (7 senior staff, 18 students and 10 technicians) who showcased different innovations and technologies. The Minister credited CAES for availability, smartness, serious commitment, readiness to give technical advice and practical demonstrations.
The best innovations that stood out for the Vice President included: livestock innovations (alternative livestock feeds mainly maggots and earthworms for animal feeds and other uses); Innovations in crop production (with emphasis on soil testing and testing organic products for export market); Crop protection which included virus indexing and production of clean planting materials; as well as Coffee Value Chain development and diversification.
Others innovations that were of interest to the Minister’s entourage according to the evaluators included the KeBELA biosensor, the Maksoy varieties, the earthworm and maggot production technology for poultry feeds and the soil testing kit.
Due to the high demand from farmers and other stakeholders, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and the Minister resolved to hold at least two national agricultural exhibitions per year. In line with the resolution, the Minister announced that the second national exhibition will take place from 7th to 17th December, 2018 focusing on irrigation and agricultural mechanization.
Makerere University was urged to endeavor to attend and exhibit the innovations especially small holder farmer irrigation and mechanization technologies which the public is yearning for to boost production and productivity.
Report compiled by;
Jane Anyango,
Principal Communication Officer, CAES
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of Health
- Minister without Portfolio
- Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
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