Dr. Richard Edema (Centre) flanked by Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs Steven Neal (Left) and President CFAES Alumni Society, Nick Retting (Right) at the Award Ceremony on 2nd March 2019 at the Fawcett Center, Ohio State University Columbus Campus. Photo credit: CFAES, Ohio State
Makerere University alumnus and don, Dr. Richard Edema has won the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) International Alumni Award 2019 for his distinguished service to the university and society.
“We are pleased to inform you that the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Alumni Society Board of Directors has selected you as a recipient for the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of your significant contributions to your career field, your college, university and your Community”, Part of the award letter to Dr. Edema, from the President CFAES Alumni Society, Nick Retting reads. The International Alumni Award is given to outstanding international alumni representing, supporting, and promoting CFAES and Ohio State worldwide.
“Our alumni serve as inspirations to our students and the entire CFAES community. They improve our college, their industries, and our world through their work,” Cathann A. Kress, Vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES, said in one of the news posts online.
Dr. Edema was among the two (2) of the twelve (12) individuals who received the International Alumni Award during the annual event, held on 2nd March 2019 at the Fawcett Center, Ohio State University Columbus Campus. 10 others received awards in different categories including the Young Professional Award.
When contacted, Dr. Edema said, this international Award came as a total surprise.
“I am far away in Africa. I did not know that my own Alma Mater was keenly following everything that I was doing. Actually, they have very good records up to the point where I am right now and I think after seeing it, they thought it was worth honoring me in that way.
When I travelled there it was really great. I was treated to a red carpet welcome, handled like I have never been before, with a lot respect. Not many people get such awards especially in Africa, and to be among those chosen from across the continent is no mean achievement”, Dr. Edema said.
Dr. Richard Edema shows off his CFAES International Alumni Award 2019 in recognition of his distinguished service to his career field, College, University and Community. Photo credit: CFAES, Ohio State
He noted that Ohio State is a highly internationalized university with close to 70,000 students, and to be chosen among the alumni was a big honor.
“I thank God for the blessings, you don’t do these things on your own. I thank my wife, family, and children. My wife has always been a cheerleader for everything I do. I thank her for giving me space and time to push my career to this level.
I also thank my University, Makerere, for nurturing me, giving me the environment in which I could do what I am doing, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha the Principal, Prof. Adipala Ewamu for being a good mentor since my undergraduate days. I also thank Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Rufaro Madakaze, and all funders who have supported my work here for the last over 10 years,
I thank all my colleagues, collaborators and students who have made me push for the best in myself. I thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the entire University Management for having been supportive in all that I have been doing. I am humbled and feel extremely happy” he said.
About Dr. Richard Edema
Richard Edema is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Production Makerere University and Centre Director, of the recently established World Bank Centre of Excellence in Crop Improvement – Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI). In the last nine (9) years), he oversaw the development of this program into a model for regional capacity building in East Africa.
He obtained his B.Sc (Agric. Hons.) in 1994 and M.Sc. (Agric.) in 1996 from Makerere University, and his Ph.D. in plant pathology (molecular virology) at the Ohio State University in 2001. His doctoral research focused on analyzing the genetics of virulence of the Maize Streak Mastervirus (MSV).
He has been involved in several research projects such as the AGRA and RUFORUM Regional Capacity building program, regional sorghum improvement program funded by BIOEARN, and research on validation of molecular markers linked to important traits of maize, cassava, and sorghum.
He has worked on capacity building in East Africa for biosafety and environmental impact assessments of transgenic plants. Recently, he initiated a new cowpea improvement program at Makerere University that has quickly gained recognition. He has also worked on capacity building in East Africa for biosafety and environmental impact assessments of transgenic plants.
He has trained over 50 MSc and PhD students. He has over 80 peer reviewed scientific publications to his credit. Dr. Edema’s training and research programs have attracted over US$ 11 Million to the University.
Please see Downloads for Dr. Edema’s CV and click the links below for more details and photos of the award ceremony.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2025/2026 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.
Each applicant should:
Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2024, 2023 and 2022 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.
Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Wednesday 16th April 2025.
A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.
Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Levelresults should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.
Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.
Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority
MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:
Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel
Select option 3-Admission
Select option 3-Pay Fees
Enter reference number obtained from Application portal
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The closing date for receiving applications to undergraduate programmes shall be Tuesday 20th May 2025.
WARNING:
Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission. The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office. Those who buy them do so at their own risk.
The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.
Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.