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
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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