General
Mak’s Dr. Richard Edema Wins CFAES International Alumni Award 2019
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.
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.
https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/12-recognized-cfaes-alumni-awards-luncheon
https://advancement.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/image-galleries/2019-alumni-awards-luncheon
Jane Anyango is the 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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