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.
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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