The Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga has called on doctoral students to focus their research efforts on addressing real-world challenges and contributing to national and global development.

Speaking at the inaugural CAES Doctoral Symposium, held from 10th to 11^th September 2025 at Makerere University, the Principal emphasized that impactful research, not just the quantity of academic publications, should be the hallmark of a research-led university. “As a university aspiring to lead in research and innovation, our work must go beyond academic recognition. It must bring about meaningful change,” she said. “We are moving away from an era where scholars were measured solely by their publications. Today, the value of your PhD lies in how your research transforms lives and communities.”

While acknowledging the university’s requirement of three peer-reviewed publications for doctoral graduation, the Principal urged students to focus their research on critical societal challenges such as food security and nutrition, climate change, and environmental degradation. “A PhD is not merely an academic exercise or a quest for knowledge accumulation. It is a rigorous journey of inquiry, one that requires asking the right questions and seeking evidence-based solutions,” she explained.

The Principal encouraged students to take advantage of the university’s academic support systems, including the CAES GRADCARE Management System, to ensure timely completion of their programmes.

Delivering a keynote centred on addressing    Africa’s most pressing societal challenges, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University called for a renewed commitment to research that directly responds to Africa’s development needs.

Speaking under the theme “Making the PhD Relevant to Africa’s Development Aspirations”, Prof. Kikooma underscored the critical need for research at the doctoral level to be aligned with national, regional, and global development agendas. “We gather at a time when Africa stands at a crossroads,” he stated. “On one side, the continent is grappling with complex and overlapping crises – climate-induced disasters such as floods and droughts are displacing communities, food insecurity is worsening amid a rapidly growing population, and social inequalities are deepening. Yet, on the other side, Africa holds immense promise. We are home to the world’s fastest-growing youth population, and some of the most dynamic emerging economies. The potential is vast, but it must be matched by research that is relevant, and transformative.”

Prof. Kikooma challenged universities and research institutions to fundamentally rethink the purpose and structure of doctoral education. He advocated for a shift toward more applied, interdisciplinary, and impact-oriented research that actively contributes to solving real-world problems.

He emphasized that PhD programmes must not be ends in themselves, producing dissertations that gather dust on shelves, but should instead be engines of innovation, capable of informing policy, transforming communities, and driving sustainable development across the continent.

Reiterating the critical role of graduate training in driving transformative research, Prof. Kikooma underscored the importance of deliberate and strategic efforts in realizing the aspirations outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan. A key priority of the plan is to significantly increase graduate student enrollment, with a target of having postgraduate students comprise 40% of the total student population. In alignment with this objective, Makerere University also aims for graduate students to represent 40% of all annual graduands. To support the attainment of these goals, Prof. Kikooma explained that the University had instituted a number of initiatives aimed at streamlining academic processes and reducing inefficiencies that can hinder timely completion. One notable intervention is the implementation of the Research Information Management System (RIMS), a digital platform designed to monitor and track research progress, thereby minimizing downtime and enabling better oversight of graduate research activities.

The second day of the Doctoral Symposium featured a keynote address delivered by Dr. Settumba B. Mukasa, an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture at CAES. His presentation offered valuable insights into the critical role of academic writing in shaping impactful research and advancing doctoral education. Dr. Mukasa offered practical guidance on structuring academic work, maintaining coherence and precision, and aligning writing with the expectations of scholarly publishing. His insights provided doctoral candidates with essential tools for enhancing the quality, visibility, and credibility of their research outputs.

According to Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze, the Deputy Principal and Head of Academics at CAES, the Doctoral Symposium was organized with the primary objective of providing a platform for PhD students to present their research, receive constructive feedback, and engage in scholarly dialogue with peers and senior academics. The event aimed to foster a vibrant academic community, enhance research quality, and promote collaboration across various disciplines within the college.

During the symposium, over 50 students presented their research across the following thematic areas:

1. Engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, and product prototyping, highlighting advancements in technological innovation and design;
2. Stakeholder and farmer engagement, with a focus on perception, knowledge sharing, and participatory approaches to development;
3.  Crop resources, breeding, biotechnology, cell biology, and genomics, addressing breakthroughs in plant science and genetic research;
4. Forest Resources, Meteorology, Catchment Management, and Wetlands Conservation, integrating environmental science with resource management;
5. Soil and crop science, underscoring sustainable practices and soil health; and
6. Food, Nutrition, and Animal Science, focusing on food security, health, and livestock management.

The sessions were moderated by academic staff from different departments at CAES including Prof. Jackie Bonabana (Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics), Dr.  Denis Nseka (Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences), Prof. John Bosco Okullo (Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism), Dr. Ellen Kayendeke (Department of Environmental Management), Dr. Patrick Musinguzi (Department of Soil Science and Land Use Management), and Dr. Robert Mugabi (Department of Food Technology and Nutrition).

Pictorial of the symposium at: https://shorturl.at/Dbmlc

In a bid to enhance food safety, nutrition education, and the capacity of small enterprises, the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition (DFTN) at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, implemented a dynamic outreach and training programme during the 2024/2025 recess term. The initiative encompassed a variety of activities, including school-based nutrition awareness campaigns, diagnostic pre-visits to local food processors, and an intensive two-day hands-on training workshop held from 8^th–9^th September 2025 at the School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering (SFTNB), Makerere University.

The programme sought to address key challenges in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), product formulation, packaging and labelling, certification readiness, and market development for small-scale processors, while also strengthening nutrition knowledge among students and teachers in partner schools.

School trainings and diagnostics with local food processors

The programme commenced with school visits in July 2025 to Zainab Junior School (Makerere-Kavule), Hormisdallen Primary School (Kamwokya), and Makerere Modern Secondary School (Kikoni). Teams from the Department of Food Technology, and Nutrition engaged learners and teachers on balanced diets, hygiene, and the importance of locally available nutritious foods. Sessions also introduced students to career pathways in food science and nutrition.

Backed by student volunteers from Makerere University Human Nutrition Students’ Association (MUHUNSA) and the Makerere University Food Science and Technology Students’ Association (MUFOSTA), with support from NutriQuest, the Department conducted rapid diagnostics with local food processors in the bakery and dairy sectors. The assessments revealed a range of challenges: short shelf-life, poor fermentation control, packaging and labelling gaps, and documentation issues hindering the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) certification. These findings shaped the training curriculum.

From findings to action: Two-day practical training

The findings directly informed a two-day training held at the SFTNB from 8^th– 9^th September 2025. Attended by processors from across the cereal/grain and dairy value chains, including Calabash Dairies Ltd; True Uganda Adventures; Kikazi Agri Ltd; Sarah’s Cakes; AWAN Group; Green-door Supplies (U) Ltd; Glory Revolution Ltd; Westlink Delicacy Ltd; Mak-Soya Foods & Bakery; and Aleem Bakery, the workshop delivered practical sessions on:

1. Good Manufacturing Practices and hygiene
2. Product formulation and optimization
3. Packaging, labelling, and UNBS compliance
4. Equipment sourcing, waste management, and marketing
5. Hands-on processing of yogurt (dairy, soy, millet-based), fruit drying, flour blending, and baking.

Outcomes

The initiative showed that simple, targeted improvements in processing practices can lead to significant benefits including enhanced food safety, improved product quality, and increased market confidence. In the classroom, nutrition education not only deepened students’ knowledge but also sparked interest in careers in food science. From small-scale processors to young learners, the initiative delivered broad, practical impact.

Commitments

Participants left with clear 60-day action plans, including:

1. Improved batch documentation (e.g., pH, weights, traceability)
2. Label standardization to meet UNBS guidelines
3. Shelf-life testing and corrective action planning
4. Product innovation (e.g., millet-yogurt blends, fortified flours)
5. Follow-up visits with progress checklists and certification support

 Remarks by the SFTNB leaders

In his remarks, Prof. Ivan Mukisa Muzira, Head of the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, emphasized the value of academia-industry partnerships and encouraged participants to use the SFTNB’s facilities and expertise. He thanked the technical team – Dr. Robert Mugabi, Dr. Stellah Byakika, and Dr. Richard Bukenya, as well as the student associations that played a key role in delivery.

Dr. Julia Kigozi, Dean of the SFTNB, reaffirmed the School’s commitment to fostering ongoing partnerships and collaboration with food processors. Highlighting the importance of continued engagement, she encouraged all processors to actively utilize the resources and support services provided by the Food Technology Business Incubation Centre (FTBIC). Dr. Kigozi noted that the FTBIC is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and businesses in the food technology sector by offering expert guidance, technical assistance, and opportunities for innovation and growth. In the course of the event, Dr. Kigozi presented certificates of attendance to all the participants, acknowledging their commitment to advancing their skills and knowledge within the food processing industry.

Acknowledgement

On behalf of the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Dr Robert Mugabi expressed gratitude to Prof. Ivan Mukisa Muzira, Dr. Julia Kigozi, the technical leads, the student teams from MUHUNSA and MUFOSTA, NutriQuest, and all participating schools and enterprises for their partnership and engagement.

More photos about the trainings at: https://shorturl.at/FohFj

Compiled by Dr Robert Mugabi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Technology & Nutrition, CAES

Venue: Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort and Conference Centre, Kampala, Uganda

Theme: Advancing research, technology, and innovations in stored product protection for sustainable trade, food and nutrition security

13^th IWCSPP FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear colleague,

We are happy to announce that the 13^th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection (13^th IWCSPP) will take place on 19-23 October 2026 in Kampala, Uganda. This conference will be held at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort and Conference Centre, Kampala, Uganda — this is a beachfront hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria.

This is the First Announcement which can also be found online at https://13iwcspp.com/.

You can follow us at https://13iwcspp.com/. All the conference information will continue to be published on this website.

We look forward to your participation at the 13^th IWCSPP in Kampala, Uganda.

13^th IWCSPP Organizing Committee

For more information, visit https://13iwcspp.com or contact:

• Chair, Local Organizing Committee: Prof. Herbert Talwana, Makerere University: haltalwana@gmail.com; herbert.talwana@mak.ac.ug
• 13^th IWCSPP Secretariat: info@13iwcspp.com; 13iwcsppconference@gmail.com; rmutebifoodscience@gmail.com
• Chair, Scientific Committee: Prof. George Opit, Oklahoma State University george.opit@okstate.edu
• President, Permanent Committee – IWCSPP: Dr. James Campbell campbell@ksu.edu.