General
Mak and MAAIF Hold CAADP Malabo Declaration Action Planning Meeting
Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), on 30th August 2018 held Uganda’s action planning meeting to assess the implementation of the Malabo declaration.
The Malabo declaration was adopted during the 23rd Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, held from 26th to 27th June 2014. It was aimed at accelerating agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods mostly centred on small scale farmers’ agriculture.
During that meeting the AU Heads of State and Government adopted the Malabo declaration and committed to ending hunger by 2025 and to achieve this, they resolved to halve the current levels of post-harvest losses by the year 2025.
The declaration required that most of the African countries contribute at least 10% of their national budget towards Agriculture and since that time there have been follow-ups to see which countries have fulfilled the Malabo declaration through the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).
According to Prof. Archileo Kaaya; coordinator Uganda Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANAPAN) Uganda Node, CAADP is Africa's policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.
FANAPAN is a multi-stakeholder network which supports the development of policies regarding food, agriculture and natural resources. It was established in 1987 by a group of Ministers from AU and is currently based in Pretoria, South Africa.
During the meeting held at Fairway Hotel, Prof. Kaaya also the Head, Department of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering explained that FANPAN has been writing proposals for support to agriculture and one of these was specifically aimed at addressing issues of the Malabo declaration.
“FANPAN got a grant from the African Green Revolution to establish dialogues, for finding the country’s position in line with fulfilling the Malabo CAADP declaration.
In order for each country to check its progress in fulfilling the Malabo declaration, they come up with an action plan which has thematic areas that the country promised to fulfill” he said.
The FANPAN funded meeting at Fairway Hotel attracted different Agricultural stakeholders like non-state actors, Makerere University staff, Local Governments and the private sector among others. It was aimed at identifying the gaps in the CAADP ahead of the Kigali-Rwanda meeting of which seven of Uganda’s commitments were identified as needing improvement.
They include; Re-committing to the CAADP process, Enhancing investment finance in Agriculture, Ending hunger by 2025, Halving poverty through Agriculture by 2025, Boosting intra-African Trade in Agriculture commodities and Enhancing resilience to climate change variability.
Prof. Kaaya noted that the Kigali meeting will gather all countries that make up the AU and each country will present their action plan in as far as implementing the CAADP is concerned.
“The ministry of Agriculture identified stunting, malnourishment; poverty and hunger reduction, climate change resilience, and environmental management as still very big problems, “he said.
He explained that each of the thematic areas which the country promised to fulfill has also got subthemes with activities that also have to be fulfilled.
“Looking at where we are doing badly according to the action plan, we want to see what budget can be attached to those areas to enhance development.
We want to see what technical support is needed to address the action problem, be it in the area of supporting technologies, what technical support is needed in developing the technology to address issues of post harvest losses, issues of storage and drying among others,” he said.
The theme for the Kigali forum is focusing on small holder farmers: “lead, measure, grow to enable new pathways to turn small holder farmers into future agri-businesses”.
According to Emmanuel Kimbowa, Senior Economist MAAIF, Uganda has not been performing well in fulfilling the Malabo declaration and yet agriculture is now a business that many smallholder farmers aspire to engage in.
He said that during the forum, AU countries’ presentations will be scored based on progress made in fulfilling the CAADP process. He added that Uganda can only fulfill this through a multi-sectoral approach.
“During our joint sector review, it was reported that the ranking was reduced to 39% but Uganda managed to score 45% yet we did not report on other areas. But if we embrace a multi-sectoral approach we can perform better, “he said.
Agnes Kirabo the Executive Director, Uganda Food Alliance, observed the need to engage the youth in whatever is done in Agriculture to enhance rapid growth.
“There are various opportunities for the youth in Agriculture and Value addition but we are currently not on track towards this objective because we have left them behind” she said.
Story compiled by Agnes Nankebe Nantambi,
For Communication Office, CAES
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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