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
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of Health
- Minister without Portfolio
- Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
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