General
Mak Hosts Second Phase of GREAT Gender-responsive Legume Breeding Course
Makerere University is hosting the second phase (week 2) of the Gender-responsive Legume Breeding Course under the project titled, “Gender-responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT). GREAT is a 5-year (2015-2020) collaboration between Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The five-day training (14th-18th January 2019) was jointly organized by Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS).
The course follows Phase one (Week 1) of the Gender-responsive Legume Breeding Course held in July – August 2018 where participants covered gender concepts, design of their gender-responsive research projects, qualitative and quantitative gender analysis and designed field case studies which they went back with to their countries and implemented.
After week 1, research teams, using their field case studies, collected data from female and male legume farmers and value chain actors involved in their ongoing projects.
The research teams mainly social scientists and plant breeders are now back at Makerere University Kampala Uganda with collected household level data on their project focus crops for the second phase (Week 2) of the training.
The second phase which attracted research teams from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana, Zambia, Senegal and Nigeria, was opened on 14th January 2019 by Makerere University Co-PI GREAT project-Associate Professor, Margaret N. Mangheni from the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies at Forest Cottages, Bukoto Kampala.
Assoc. Prof. Margaret Mangheni said the overall objective of the course was to strengthen the ability of researchers to design, conduct, and communicate gender-responsive research.
By the end of this training Mangheni said, participants should be able to articulate the concepts and principles of gender-responsive research and demonstrate positive practice and value for gender-responsive research. In addition, she said, participants should also be able to conceptualize, design and plan appropriate gender-responsive research, collect, analyze, interpret and integrate qualitative and quantitative sex disaggregated data and communicate gender-responsive research to a range of audiences.
She described this second phase as an important component of the GREAT course where participants will get the opportunity to analyze the data they collected from the field.
“After the participants had covered the theory, they designed field research breeding case studies which they implemented in their countries and the whole of this week; we shall be taking them through the process of data analysis. Unlike the usual data collection designs, breeders employed a mixed data design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data as a way of ensuring that the needs of both men and women farmers and other actors in the value chain are catered to,” Assoc. Prof. Mangheni noted.
The day’s program opened with a critical reflection on the process the research teams underwent when they were in the field, what stood out for each person as an individual, how they worked together as interdisciplinary teams of social scientists and breeders and the practical forms of collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
“This week we are going to give them skills on how to analyze this qualitative and quantitative gender data and how to integrate it into mixed method publications and how to communicate this research to their peers in the professional community and policy makers and ultimately how to influence their institutions on gender influence. At the end of the course they are going to be given certificates by Makerere and Cornell University”, The Co PI stated.
She said after week 2, there will be a Competitive small grant for the top 2 or 3 teams (about $10,000). Participants will be evaluated throughout the week on; final presentations, field case study reports as well as on the quality of qualitative and quantitative data. A template for final presentations and guidelines will be provided.
Winners will be announced after assessment of the field case study reports (about first week of March 2019). Field trainers will assist in completing work, and publication of outputs
In addition, two social scientists with an interest in further developing their gender research skills will be selected as GREAT Gender Specialist Fellows at the end of Week 2.
Besides conference support that will be available to Fellows upon completion to present gender research results at international conferences, the PI said, there will be new grant opportunities including the opportunity to publish gender research in a peer reviewed journal, participation in the upcoming GREAT conference in 2020 and access to resources and information under the community of practice.
As trainers, Dr. Mangheni said they were excited with this team.
“I think this year we have quality work. From the reflections from the fields you can see that the social scientist and plant breeders were able to work together and that interdisciplinarity is what we want to achieve. We see that they were able to face issues of interdisciplinarity the way researchers encountered, navigated and were able to present quality data so, there is evidence of learning.” Mangheni appreciated.
The professor said GREAT Project aims at application of the skills due to the many gender trainings conducted, and believes that they were contributing to the real equipping of candidates with skills that they can apply both in ongoing projects and the research they will be conducting later on. This is in line with the project vision to contribute towards gender inclusive agricultural research which meets the needs of men and women.
“So participants should use the acquired skills in their subsequent career and build onto what they have achieved, because we have only started them off on a journey of gender responsible research. The other one is to connect. We want to build a community of practice, a community of researchers and scientists who are passionate and skilled in conducting gender-responsive research. There is an institutional arrangement to ensure that they are linked. That connection is important so that we continue to exchange resources and to network and impact the research community”.
For those who have not participated in the GREAT courses offered, the don said, they are continuing to advertise their courses and the vision even beyond this five-year project is that Makerere University will be a center of excellence in gender-responsive research and training.
Reflecting on what contributed to the success of data collection, what should have been done differently to get better results and lessons from the field, researchers credited the continuous support from the field trainers, availability of funds, teamwork and commitment from researchers. Regarding the best ways to conduct interdisciplinary field gender data collection, researchers proposed having clear sampling and data analysis strategies, involvement of men and women, appropriate timing, building rapport with respondents and open-mindedness among others.
About GREAT courses
This is the third year of implementation of the GREAT project activities. The project is now on its third Course. Course 1 was the training of Root tuber and banana breeders. Course 2 was on Cereal grains breeding and currently, Course 3 phase 2 is working with Legume breeders.
GREAT delivers courses to agricultural researchers from sub-Saharan Africa in the theory and practice of gender-responsive research, seeking to increase opportunities for equitable participation and the sharing of benefits from agricultural research and improve the outcomes for smallholder women farmers, entrepreneurs, and farmer organizations. By building and engaging communities of researchers equipped with the skills, knowledge, and support systems to develop and implement gender-responsive projects, GREAT advances gender-responsiveness as the norm and standard for agricultural research
Report compiled by;
Jane Anyango and Esther Namitala
Communication Officers, CAES & SWGS
Makerere University on 1st August 2025, the eve of the first year students’ arrival on Campus, held the 2nd Prayer Breakfast aimed at reiterating that staff service at the institution is a calling to pursue excellence and purpose under God.. Hosted in the St. Francis Chapel gardens, the meeting was presided over by Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta who represented both the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. The day’s message “Integrating Faith, Learning and Service” was delivered by Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, former Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University who also served as Makerere staff member between 1978 and 1987.
“This is a very good initiative” remarked Prof. Ireeta as he began his remarks, noting that the University’s enjoyment of a strike-free academic year 2024/2025 could perhaps be attributed to having commenced it with prayer. He expressed the Chairperson of Council’s and Vice Chancellor’s apologies, whom he noted would have loved to attend the 2nd Prayer Breakfast as they did the 1st but were unfortunately caught up in other meetings and official travel respectively.
“As we gather today, let us reflect on our shared purpose and values in this University and may this time of prayer and fellowship inspire us to make a positive impact in our work and community” Prof. Ireeta urged, noting that it was important to exercise compassion, wisdom and kindness as staff worked with the youth who are constantly bombarded with information from social media and other sources.
Prof. Ireeta therefore urged staff to always listen to diverse perspectives and work together to achieve the institution’s goals. He reiterated the University Management’s support to the Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli and the Chaplains who report to her, “We shall continue supporting you in all you do”.
“We are weak but God is strong” remarked the Chaplain St. Francis, Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa as a rejoinder to Prof. Ireeta’s remarks. “This is a demonstration that truly we need the strength of God – we cannot start this academic year without the divine hand of God.”
She went on to say that when we do not pray, we boldly declare that we do not need God’s divine guidance, “but in coming here today, we are boldly proclaiming that we need divine guidance, so thank you all for coming.”
Introducing the day’s speaker, Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi, the Chaplain admitted that she did not know any speaker who was better placed to address the topic, given his vast experience as an academician, theologian and university administrator. She added that the speaker in his exemplary style had come along with his wife, Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi, a lay Canon of the Diocese of Kampala, under whose jurisdiction St. Francis Chapel falls.
Commencing his address, Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi shared that he had an issue with the framing of the day’s topic, particularly the word “integrating” for it made it seem as if God, the author of faith and creator of heaven and earth was separate from the quest to “learn” about the very things he created and “service”, the act of people providing stewardship over the God-given talents, abilities and His creation. Referring to the theme scripture, Ephesians 4:10-12, he singled out three important conclusions to dwell on.
“And those are simply; 1) the sovereignty of the ascended Jesus Christ, 2) Jesus is the giver of every ability, talent, skill, gift, whatever you may call it, even your education, and 3) Jesus equips whosoever He calls for service to others” he remarked.
Rev. Canon. Dr. Senyonyi further broke the conclusions down by noting that 1) Jesus is placed above all things and as such is sovereign over everything as further illustrated by scriptures; Mathew 28:18 – all authority in heaven and on earth (including academia) has been given to Him, John 1:1-5 – all things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made, and Colossians 1:15-19 – by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth and for Him (including education and work). “If Jesus is sovereign, then our work in the universe, our education enterprise is a mission and that mission must be submissive to the mission of our sovereign.”
Proceeding to no 2) Jesus is the giver of every ability, and citing his personal experience, Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi said, “I left the teaching with this University because God was calling me to be an evangelist but I cannot say God gave me the gift of evangelism, that’s a mistake; that’s not how the scripture reads.” He added that the problem facing most people today is the tendency to think that everything is about them, and not recognizing that Jesus is the giver of the very things they call their own.
Turning to scriptures, Exodus 36:1 and Exodus 28:3 he explained that the craftsmen that Moses relied on to build the tabernacle and furnishings for His Temple were only able to excel because they were equipped by God. “In other words, what they had was a talent that God Himself gave… when we focus elsewhere, we forget what God has given us to… and your training is intended to be a gift to others.”
Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi then concluded with no 3) Jesus equips whosoever He calls for service to others, emphasizing the latter bit, the need to use all we are and have for the benefit of others. “If students are reporting tomorrow what are we going to do?” he challenged. “Are we going to facilitate soft landing or are we going to facilitate anger in their hearts?” he further pondered.
“If all of us are giving, if all of us are taking our faith where it should be, if all of us are showing the way, if all of us are ambassadors of Christ where we are, then everybody receives” the day’s speaker encouraged. “So your work is to equip the students until they graduate” he summed up, adding that one of the greatest joys is encountering former students whose faces light up with excitement when they see you.
The 2nd Prayer Breakfast would have been incomplete without prayer sessions, some of which were led by the Heads of the Joint Staff Fellowship Dr. Eve Nabulya and Mr. Moses Oluka. The final blessing was delivered by the day’s speaker Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi.
The Chairperson and Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council on Tuesday 29th July 2025 paid a courtesy visit to Makerere University following the 5th Meeting of the IGAD Universities Forum held in Kampala from 28th to 29th July. The delegation was received by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, Makerere University’s representative to IGAD.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Bbaale on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and the University Management thanked the delegation for including a visit to Makerere on their Kampala itinerary, “It is an honour and privilege to host you here today,” he remarked. He equally thanked Dr. Kiggundu Musoke for representing the University on IGAD and facilitating the visit.
Prof. Bbaale acknowledged that IGAD continues to play a critical role in fostering regional cooperation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development in the Greater Horn of Africa. “The inclusion of higher education in IGAD’s strategic priorities speaks volumes about the importance you attach to knowledge, skills, and research as tools for transforming societies,” he supplemented.
The Acting DVCAA reiterated that Makerere University takes great pride in her IGAD membership, as well as the collaborative research partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and policy dialogues that seek to harmonise and strengthen higher education in the region undertaken therein. He equally lauded the participation of regional Vice Chancellors and Senior Academic Leaders in IGAD’s activities, “Your presence affirms our collective resolve to build stronger institutions and knowledge systems that respond to the developmental needs of our communities.”
He noted that Makerere in pursuit of her strategic research-led agenda takes cognizance of the importance of partnerships at regional and international levels and urged the leaders present to nurture them. “We need to build a strong academic and research network so that we have seamless flow staff and students on the African continent,” adding that “We hope this visit will further deepen the bonds between our institutions and inspire new opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research, innovation, and regional integration.”
Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, the IGAD Senior Coordinator of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Program expressed delight at visiting Makerere, noting that the University and Republic of Uganda are strategic and extremely valuable partners of the regional body.
In her remarks, Dr. Victoria Anib Majur the Head, IGAD Health and Social Development Division thanked Makerere and other regional universities for promoting mobility among learners by endorsing the implementation of the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework (IGADQF). “It is our pleasure that your institution and all other partner institutions in the region are joining IGAD in fulfilling the mission of regional integration through skills development and through qualifications.”
She reiterated IGAD’s commitment to push for; excellence in education, inclusivity of gender and persons with disabilities, and promotion of skills that will prepare learners, especially refugees, returnees, and those from host communities in the IGAD region for the marketplace. The IGAD Secretariat is hosted by the Republic of Djibouti and region covers the host country-Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
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