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.
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
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