General
CAES Acquires another Agricultural Tractor Worth US$26,500
Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has acquired another MASCOR John Deere agricultural tractor worth US$26,500 (approximately shs.98, 050,000).
The tractor was purchased using college resources mainly from the project overheads.
The four wheel drive John Deere Agricultural Machinery, model 5075E with 75HP can be attached on a variety of farm implements including ploughs, harrows, planters, bailers and forage harvesters among others.
The machinery was supplied by John Deere MAS CORPORATION Company Ltd (MASCOR ) and delivered at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018.
The suppliers were represented by Ms. Hellen Atuhaire and Mr. Lwanga Mande.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by University Bursar’s representative Mr. Teefe Paul, the Principal CAES, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, Acting Director MUARIK Dr. Alice Turinawe, the Acting Farm Manger Mr. Chrysostom Tweyambe, MUARIK security personnel and other university staff.
Receiving the equipment, the Principal CAES Prof. Bernard Bashaasha welcomed the suppliers to MUARIK saying, this was the second tractor delivered (following the MaRCCI one) and expressed hope for further engagement with MASCOR.
“I thank MASCOR for the delivery. I appreciate that you have been good to us and I thank you for the efficient responses to our emails.
We have this farm that needs a lot of machinery. We need to strengthen our relationship in terms of other inputs and repairs”, Bashaasha said.
The Principal hailed the University management for allowing the college to buy the machine using her resources.
“Thank you for the goodwill. We could not have signed the contract without the goodwill of the university.
MUARIK is our Jewel. We do a lot of training, research, production and outreach activities.
The place trains for the whole country and therefore needs technology so that people can appreciate when they see new developments like this tractor”, Bashaasha noted.
The Principal implored the machine operators and entire staff at MUARIK to maintain and handle the equipment responsibly.
“They are very expensive machines, so go an extra mile to be careful. We won’t be with you in the field but we rely on you. I insist, please, do regular servicing”, he said.
Ms. Hellen Atuhaire from MASCOR appreciated Makerere University for choosing John Deere MASCOR as a business associate. She described the John Deere tractor as a brand new machine that can work in all situations.
The company provided the service kit for free and will offer the first two tractor services. It will also offer free training to the tractor operators before using the machine and a warranty of 2years or 2000hours whichever comes first.
The Acting Director MUARIK Dr. Alice Turinawe described the new delivery as a blessing.
“I am excited to have a new tractor. We have a lot of activities and it is a good starting point to come in office with a tractor which is a sign of blessings. It is my hope that the university will secure more, including implements”. Dr. Turinawe said.
Dr. Turinawe welcomed the Bursar’s Representative Mr. Teefe Paul, the Principal CAES and MASCOR and thanked them for being good partners and delivering two tractors to MUARIK so far.
She reiterated the Principal’s request for MUARIK staff to be responsible, adding that the Institute was counting on them to look after the machinery well.
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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