General
Prof. Tukamuhabwa Wins UBBC Biotechnology Award 2018
Makerere University’s prolific Plant Breeder Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa has won the Biotechnology Award 2018 during the first Annual Biotechnology Awards ceremony by the Uganda Biotechnology and Biosafesty Consortium (UBBC) on Wednesday, 19th September 2018.
The award is in honor of his immense contribution to socio- economic development through biotechnology, scientific research and innovations.
Prof. Tukamubwa’s current research thrust is in genetics of resistance to soybean rust disease and development of varieties that are resistant to soybean rust, groundnut leaf miners and adzuki bean bruchids. These efforts are integrated with adaptation of soybean genotypes to farmers’ conditions and research on soybean seed systems.
He has spearheaded the development of soybean varieties; Maksoy 6N, Maksoy5N, Maksoy 4N, Maksoy 3N, Maksoy 2N, Maksoy 1N, Namsoy 4M, Namsoy 3 and Nam 2 and climbing bean varieties; Nabe 12C, Nabe 9C, Nabe 8C, Nabe 7C and Nabe 6C. All these varieties are widely grown at commercial level in Uganda and the region.
Tukamuhabwa has also pioneered development of glyphosate tolerant soybeans in Africa, in containment at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). Glyphosate is a non selective herbicide that kills all plant forms except crops engineered to glyphosate resistance.
One of the biggest challenges in soybean production is the high cost of weeding hindering large scale production and profits to farmers.
Prof. Tukamuhabwa’s idea is to develop an agronomically acceptable soybean variety which when sprayed with glyphosate will be tolerant, unlike other plants and weeds in the garden.
The Professor explained that this type of soybean however, is not an ordinary soybean. It is genetically modified, that is, there is a transgene to cause resistance to the glyphosate.
“Glyphosate-tolerant soybean reduces time required for weeding, the cost of weeding and avails more time to the farmer and makes soybean productive and more profitable.
All the current soybean varieties produced at Makerere University are conventional and non-GMO.
GMO soybean is being grown in containment under regulations established by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST)”, Prof. Tukamuhabwa clarified.
About Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa
Phinehas Tukamuhabwa is a Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Makerere University. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Makerere University), Master of Science (University of Bath, UK) and a PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding (Makerere University).
He has acquired knowledge and skills in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Seed Science and Technology and Intellectual Property Management.
Tukamuhabwa has supervised and mentored many young scholars and scientists.
Before joining Makerere University, he worked with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) as a Plant Breeder.
He has served two terms on the National Biosafety Committee and is currently on the National Seed Board and several committees at Makerere University.
Prof. Tukamuhabwa has also served as the Director of Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) from 2013 to date.
About Uganda Biotechnology and Biosafesty Consortium (UBBC)
Uganda Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium (UBBC) is a coalition of stakeholders with common cause to safeguard the advancement of Biotechnology for socio-economic development and transformation in the country.
UBBC is uniquely born out of a strong need for a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder and multi-competence organisation around a common cause.
UBBC works towards the development of health, agriculture, environment, trade and social justice and, is among the stakeholders involved in ensuring Biosafety Legislation for Uganda right from the time of its formation.
The UBBC has organized annual biotechnology award ceremony to honor individuals who have contributed immensely to socio-economic development through biotechnology.
This annual event provides a platform for periodical information to the country and policy makers on current developments in the field of science and innovation. This is in line with the country’s vision of attaining a lower middle-income status by 2020 through bio-economy.
This year 2018, UBBC has recognized winners with awards inform of plaques in the fields of biotechnology in the following categories:
- Biotechnology Innovator/Researcher (who have excelled in research and innovation of biotechnology products to solve challenges faced by stakeholders)
- Biotechnology Entreprenuer (who have rolled out their research to commercialization stage)
- Biotechnology Communicator (who have excelled in sensitization and outreach in biotechnology to stakeholders in the media and community space)
- Champions (who have excelled in mentoring and advocacy of biotechnology among stake holders)
The Objectives of the UBBC are to identify and inspire innovators in the bio-economy in Uganda, establish linkages through the value chain from research to the market and, to motivate bio-innovators with awards.
Report Compiled by;
Jane Anyango;
Principal Communication Officer, CAES.
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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