Agriculture & Environment
Mak Flags off 244 Ugandan University Students for Agrostudies Internship in Israel
244 students from five universities – Makerere, Kyambogo, Gulu, Busitema and Bishop Stuart University have been flagged off to Israel for a one year paid internship. 10 out of the 244 flagged off are female.
The students were flagged of by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCFA) Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya on 13th October, 2021 at a colorful ceremony held in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) Auditorium, Makerere University.
The function was also attended by a team from the Agrostudies center in Israel led by the CEO Mr. Yaron Tamir, representatives from the participating Universities in Uganda, Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Alumni and Coordinators of the Agrostudies Apprenticeship Programme from the five universities.
Prior to the flag off, the Mr. Yaron Tamir and his deputy paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor where they discussed matters of interest to the university and the Government of Uganda especially a plan to start an Agrostudies Alumni Cooperative in Uganda and the possibility of the program Alumni to support Government in providing extension services.
The Agrostudies cohort 2021/2022 was organized under the theme, “Securing the Future of Uganda through Agriculture Capacity Building”. At Makerere University, the programme was coordinated by Dr. Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula and Dr. Narisi Mubangaizi from the School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The students’ participation in the Agrostudies agriculture capacity building program is a response to the need to transform from subsistence to more commercial agriculture in a bid to secure the future of Uganda.
Presiding over the function as Chief Guest, Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya welcomed all to Makerere describing the University as a warm and peaceful community.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor reported that Uganda is grappling with several development challenges including low agricultural production and productivity, negative attitude of youth towards agriculture and high rates of unemployment among the youth.
She noted that the Agrostudies apprenticeship programme which aims at exposing Ugandan University Students to modern agricultural technologies in agriculture has a huge potential to deal with these development challenges.
Dr. Nabukenya said most of the students that have participated in the agrostudies apprenticeship programme have set up agricultural enterprises in which they have applied knowledge, skills and financial resources acquired from the programme.
On behalf of Makerere University and all participating universities in Uganda, Prof. Nabukenya appreciated the foresightedness of the Israeli and Ugandan Governments for coming up with this wonderful programme
“By setting up agricultural enterprises, these students have become job creators rather than job seekers. These agricultural enterprises set up by alumni of the Agrostudies apprenticeship programme are also helping in transferring technologies from Israel to other farmers in Uganda,“ she stated.
Dr. Nabukenya expressed gratitude to the governments of Uganda and Israel for entrusting Makerere University with the noble responsibility of being the national coordinator for the Agrostudies program in Uganda and pledged total commitment towards the programme’s success and continuity.
She said, the university has embarked on the process of institutionalizing the programme where the Office of the Vice Chancellor has mandated the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) to coordinate the programme on behalf of Makerere University from 2021 onwards.
The DVCFA also thanked CAES for accepting this responsibility and for the progress so far made. As proof of the university commitment to the programme, Prof. Nabukenya said, Makerere University has provided free accommodation to all the students selected under the programme residing within the students’ halls of residence.
She appreciated the efforts made by several units of Makerere University including the Vice Chancellors’ Office, Office of the University Secretary, Finance and Accounts, University Hospital, Dean of Students and staff in the students’ halls of residence to support the programme.
Dr. Nabukenya congratulated the students upon their successful selection for the program, a competitive process involving rigorous medical examinations as well physical fitness training to ensure that they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready for the work ahead of them.
“Please do not waste this golden opportunity. I encourage you to learn as much as you can and observe very good discipline during your stay in Israel. Above all, I humbly appeal to you to fully observe all the rules and guidelines of the programme and to return to Uganda at the end of the programme”, Dr. Nabukenya implored.
The DVCFA thanked the Agrostudies team from Israel for adjusting the earlier position regarding the non-participation of female students in the programme by enrolling 10 female students.
She however appealed to the Agrostudies Israel team to consider increasing the number of female students onto the programme in the subsequent years, saying, Makerere University is a gender sensitive institution and tries as much as possible to promote gender equity and equality by giving equal opportunities to both males and females.
Orienting the students, the Chief Executive Officer Agrostudies program Mr. Yaron Tamir thanked Makerere University for hosting and selecting the candidates for the year 2021/2021.
Mr. Yaron said Agro studies was established 17 years ago to conduct agricultural capacity building by bringing students from different countries doing traditional agriculture to Israel to learn and practice modern agriculture. He clarified that Agrostudies is neither a university nor a replacement of a university but one has to be a university student to qualify for the program.
The CEO said Agro studies enrolls around 1,500 students every year from 14 countries including Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia among others. He cautioned students against laziness, escaping and staying in Israel beyond the program period.
“You are not going for summer. It involves very hard and intensive work in the field. If you feel you are not qualified or capable of doing it, this is not a place for you. It is true Agrostudies is a life changing program and we have thousands of students with amazing successful stories but you need to understand that agriculture is not done in the office, it does not involve air condition but it is hard physical work in the field”, the CEO emphasized.
Mr. Yaron however told students not be afraid when they reach the airport saying it is their job to take care of them as mothers and fathers for the next eleven months.
“If you are sick, or have a problem back home, we are the ones to take care of you. We will be very communicative with the university in case of problems and we will solve them. We have a member of staff who will be in charge and he will visit you on the farm, check accommodation to see that everything is well and on arrival at the airport you will be availed emergency numbers”, the CEO pledged.
Yaron told students that on arrival in Israel they will be quarantined for seven days, hosted in a farm apartment and given food and other necessities but before exiting the airport they will be subjected to a PCR test at a cost of USD 20 which will be repeated after seven days at no cost but they will have to pay for a PCR test upon their return to Uganda.
He urged students to carry with them laptops for they will start school during that quarantine period through the Israel system including all courseworks and tests adding that they have to pass to get that diploma.
The CEO said, once out of quarantine, students will be vaccinated because every citizen is vaccinated with Pfitzer noting that Israel is the first country in the world that gives a booster because after 6 months of vaccination the anti-bodies disappear or become low.
He explained that whether vaccinated or not, it does not matter as long as one is through with the quarantine period. In Israel, he said that a green tag is issued after vaccination to allow one to go to a restaurant, mall and other public places.
He reported that the Delta COVID variant was rampant but with the vaccination, the number has gone down significantly and going low day by day with anumber of PCR tests conducted.
He told students that they will be going to one of the campuses once every week to meet teachers, doctors and students from other countries and experience different courses of agriculture including crop, horticulture and dairy farming.
“Our job is to take the knowledge you have acquired here at university and transfer it into actions. Israel is a small and a highly developed agricultural nation with almost no arable land, the majority being a desert with a huge shortage of water unlike Uganda with a lot of water. And only 2% of the population grows everything the population needs and we export 150% of it because we have the technologies and this is why we hope you will experience this technology.
Success comes with hard work, so you will spend five days on the farm doing all farm activities, earn money for it and once you earn, it is important that you save a significant amount to help you come to Uganda and open your own business”, the CEO said
Part of the school requirement according to Yaron is for the students to prepare the agricultural protocol where they will study what the farms have and analyse them so as to help them understand how to eventually start their own agricultural business. Among other things of agricultural course is the requirement by students to prepare a business proposal with the help of Israeli experts so that once they come back, they will have the capital to start a business.
Mr. Yaron observed that unlike Rwanda where the largest cooperative is owned by 101 Agrostudies alumni and the second largest is owned by 39 Agrostudies alumni, there is not yet a cooperative owned by Agrostudies graduates in Uganda.
Yaron told students that Israel farmers are very strict with time adding that they must understand that agriculture is a very profitable business and depends on how one does it. He said, Israel used to grow mangoes but abandoned them for avocados and cherry tomatoes because they are more profitably grown using irrigation from 80% recycled domestic water.
“Israel is a good country but with very hard conditions so we had to do what was possible especially using technology not to starve. You need to know you are not representing yourself but Uganda. … you are young, your future is bright. Come back and be a success story not to end with few dollars in restaurants to wash dishes”, the CEO warned.
The Principal CAES Prof. Bernard Bashaasha described the day’s event as a happy day and thanked the coordinating team from various universities for a job well done.
Prof. Bashaasha thanked the Government of Uganda and Government of the state of Israel for the political collaboration and partnerships that enables such activities to take place.
Bashaasha also expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellors of the five participating universities for embracing the program.
He thanked Agrostudies for the vision and initiative that started in 2013 noting that seventeen years down the road, the vision has matured.
The Principal congratulated the selected students for successfully reaching the flagging-off stage and going through a stiff competition, thorough screening process and medical examination
“When you go to Israel, be good ambassadors. You are carrying the flag of Uganda and take that very seriously because it is not just a ritual but something seriously intended. When you go, please come back so as not to spoil chances of your other colleagues and the implementation of the program”, Bashaasha advised.
Prof. Bashaasha appreciated the Government of Uganda for putting up a policy framework that allows such activities to happen.
He said the Agrostudies activity being conducted in various universities here is anchored in the government policy on guidelines of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET 2009) in the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Giving oversight of this, Prof. Bashaasha said, is the TVET Council which provides guidelines with eleven key parameters which stipulate that there has to be a governance structure, some remuneration, a written contract, social security coverage, a legal framework, the program of learning, on-off job training, formal assessment and within the duration of one to four years.
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Agriculture & Environment
Makerere Hosts Inaugural Falling Walls Lab Competition as Innovators Pitch Solutions to National Challenges
Students and researchers from Makerere University and other institutions pitched 12 innovations addressing challenges in healthcare, clean energy, agriculture, waste management and community resilience during the inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala, held at the School of Public Health Auditorium, Makerere University.
The competition brought together emerging innovators to present solutions to practical challenges through a three minute pitch, followed by questions from a panel of judges.
Modelled on the Falling Walls format that originated in Berlin, the event required each participant to identify a “wall” a problem or barrier, and demonstrate how their innovation seeks to break it down.
Mudhasi wins with newborn jaundice screening device
Andrew Mudhasi of Makerere University emerged as the overall winner with a score of 90 per cent for a low cost medical device designed to improve newborn jaundice screening across different skin tones.
Mudhasi explained that the device uses optical sensor technology and a skin tone targeting algorithm to provide a rapid reading, with the aim of helping nurses and clinicians identify jaundice more efficiently.
During questions from the jury, Mudhasi said the device had not yet been tested on actual babies but had undergone laboratory testing using simulated skin tones.
He reported an accuracy rate of 94 per cent when the device was compared with laboratory spectrophotometers.
The innovation is intended initially for use in clinics and hospitals, with Mudhasi saying the team is also considering a version that could eventually allow mothers to screen babies at home.
Mudhasi’s innovation has previously received recognition at the African Business Concept Challenge and the iF Design Student Award, according to his presentation.
Rhonda’s innovation tackles diaper waste
Rhoda John of the University of Nairobi emerged in second place with 89.6 per cent for an innovation addressing the problem of used diaper waste.
Under the theme “Breaking the wall of diaper waste and drug soils,” Rhonda explained that her team extracts sodium polyacrylate, the absorbent polymer found in diapers, and replaces the sodium with potassium.
The resulting potassium based superabsorbent material is designed to act as a “water battery” in soil by absorbing and retaining water for plants during dry periods.
John said testing showed a 99 per cent increase in germination and a 23 per cent increase in drought resistance.
The innovation also seeks to reduce the amount of used diapers ending up in landfills and the environmental effects associated with their decomposition.
During the question and answer session, John explained that her team was working with government environmental officials in Nairobi on a pilot collection system to address the challenge of gathering used diapers at scale.
Mahera takes third place with herbal peptic ulcer treatment
Stuart Mahera of Makerere University finished third with 86.2 per cent for a herbal formulation targeting peptic ulcers.
Presenting under the theme “Breaking the wall of Nature and Modern Medicine,” Mahera argued that conventional treatment for peptic ulcers can involve multiple medicines and may be associated with side effects and antimicrobial resistance.
His proposed formulation, MARAC capsules, is intended as a monotherapy, combining properties required for peptic-ulcer treatment in a single capsule.
Mahera said his team had carried out quality control work, including characterisation and dose quantification, and had conducted preclinical trials on laboratory mice.
He also told the jury that an application had been submitted to the National Drug Authority as the team awaits the next stage of the regulatory process.
According to Mahera, the proposed seven day treatment would cost about Shs21,000, compared with the existing 14 day treatment approach.
Innovators present solutions to practical challenges
The remaining presentations covered a wide range of challenges.
Esther Nakungu of Utamu University presented Agri-Track, a digital record keeping solution intended to improve visibility, accountability and management of farm operations and financial information.
Dr. Jimmy Chachiga, a Makerere University participant, presented a solar photovoltaic cooker with a heat storage system designed to provide a cleaner and more reliable cooking option during both sunny and non sunny periods.
His presentation focused on reducing dependence on biomass fuels and addressing the challenges associated with intermittent solar energy.
Abdul Noor Luttamaguzi, a PhD student and senior government fisheries officer, presented a mobile application aimed at helping fish farmers and extension officers report, track and manage disease outbreaks.
Henry Duke Tamale presented a herbal cream targeting antibiotic resistant biofilm infections associated with diabetic foot ulcers.
Marvin Seruwu proposed adapting existing near infrared brain monitoring technology to help detect extra-axial brain bleeds in health facilities where access to CT and MRI equipment is limited.
His proposal seeks to repurpose existing technology towards a diagnostic need that could be particularly important in settings where advanced imaging facilities are not readily available.
Kennedy Kisame presented a poultry alert and diagnosis system combining satellite weather information with computer vision disease detection. The proposed system could be accessed through a smartphone application, SMS or USSD, making it potentially usable by farmers with limited internet access.
Frank Atwiine proposed a solar powered mobile diagnostic van designed to bring ultrasound and other diagnostic services closer to rural communities.
Johnson Makmot, a software and blockchain developer, presented a platform that combines GPS tracking and blockchain-based tokens to incentivise and verify plastic-waste collection in Kampala.
Dr. Nelson Ndugu, from a partner university, presented an artificial intelligence tool designed to translate agricultural research publications into local Ugandan languages and generate voice notes for radio-based extension delivery.
The final presentation came from Dr. Juliet Akola, a Ugandan post doctoral researcher at Mangosuthu University of Technology in South Africa.
Akola presented a community digital resilience initiative focused on mapping risks in Kampala’s informal settlements, including flooding, fire, poor sanitation, waste management and inadequate infrastructure.
Her proposal seeks to combine local community knowledge with geographical information systems and link identified risks to action plans involving municipalities and other stakeholders.
Nawangwe calls for more investment in innovation
Closing the event, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated all the participants and described their presentations as an important beginning for Makerere University, Uganda and the wider region.
Drawing on his experience attending the Falling Walls conference in Berlin, the Vice Chancellor said initiatives of this nature are important because innovation will play a major role in determining the future of countries.
He encouraged participants to make their pitches more precise by clearly identifying the problem they are addressing, explaining their proposed solution and demonstrating what they have already achieved.
Prof. Nawangwe also welcomed the participation of innovators from other universities and countries, noting that the Kampala event had attracted participants beyond Makerere.
He thanked the Africa Office of the Falling Walls Foundation for its role in bringing the initiative to Makerere and encouraged continued support for innovation.
The Vice Chancellor further linked innovation to Uganda’s growing youth population and the need to develop home-grown solutions to address challenges such as youth unemployment.
The inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala ultimately provided a platform for innovators to move ideas beyond the classroom and laboratory and demonstrate how research, technology and creativity can be applied to challenges affecting communities.
| Position | Winner | Institution | Score |
| 1st | Andrew Mudhasi | Makerere University | 90% |
| 2nd | Rhoda John | University of Nairobi | 89.6% |
| 3rd | Stuart Mahera | Makerere University | 86.2% |
Agriculture & Environment
CAES Freshers Urged to Embrace Academic Excellence to Become Agents of National Transformation
Orientation is an important first step in helping newly admitted students transition into a new academic and social environment. Beyond introducing students to institutional structures and services, orientation provides an opportunity to set expectations, clarify responsibilities and inspire students to approach their university journey with purpose. For the 2026/2027 intake at Makerere University’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the orientation emphasized the importance of making the most of the university experience, pursuing academic excellence, and developing the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become responsible citizens, innovative professionals, and agents of national transformation.
The CAES Freshers’ Orientation, held on Thursday, 6th August 2026, at the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS) Quadrangle, provided newly admitted students with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the College’s academic programmes, administrative structures, technological resources, library services, counselling and other student support services. Beyond introducing the freshers to the University environment and the resources available to support their academic journey, the orientation emphasized the broader purpose of university education. Students were encouraged to view their time at Makerere not merely as a pathway to academic qualifications, but as an opportunity to develop relevant competencies, build character, discover their potential and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to address real-world challenges and make meaningful contributions to society.
CAES: A College of Opportunities
Welcoming the freshers to CAES, the Principal, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, urged them to recognize the significance of the opportunity they had received to study at Makerere University and to use their time at the institution wisely.
Prof. Nabanoga reminded the students that university represents a critical stage in their journey towards becoming responsible and productive citizens. She cautioned them against letting the excitement, newfound freedom and social opportunities distract them from their academic responsibilities.
“You are at the tail end of your journey to becoming important citizens, and therefore you need to use your time at the University effectively,” she said, urging the students to begin thinking about what they wish to become from the very beginning of their university education.
She emphasized that success at university requires discipline, commitment and a clear sense of purpose. The freshers were encouraged to take ownership of their education and make deliberate decisions that would contribute to their personal and professional growth.
According to Prof. Nabanoga, CAES is strategically positioned to prepare graduates who can respond to some of the most pressing challenges facing Uganda and the wider world, particularly in food production, agriculture, environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship.
“CAES is at the centre of national development. No life exists without food and a conducive environment,” she noted, describing CAES as a “college of opportunities” where students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become change agents.
“At CAES, we focus on skilling you to become change agents to feed nations and to protect the environment, and to become job creators,” she said.
Prof. Nabanoga further encouraged the freshers to take advantage of the expertise available within the College, particularly by actively engaging with their lecturers and seeking guidance whenever they encounter academic or other challenges.
She also underscored the importance of investing in young people as future leaders and contributors to national development, noting that sustainable transformation requires a generation equipped with the skills, values and capacity to take on leadership and other critical responsibilities.
CAES Human Capital Critical to National Development
Speaking on the relevance of CAES to Uganda’s development agenda, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Bamutaze, highlighted the College’s responsibility to produce the human capital required to drive the country’s socio-economic transformation.
He noted that Uganda’s development priorities, including agro-industrialization, tourism and mineral-based development, require innovative, skilled and dynamic human resources capable of turning opportunities into tangible solutions.
“The country desires innovative and dynamic people who can contribute to its socio-economic development,” he said.
Prof. Bamutaze encouraged the freshers to take their education seriously and use their time at Makerere to develop the competencies, creativity and innovative mindset needed to respond to emerging national and global challenges.
Students Urged to Become Problem Solvers
The Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. John Baptist Tumuhairwe, explained that the School is committed to producing graduates capable of identifying challenges and developing practical solutions.
He urged the students to make academic excellence a guiding principle throughout their university journey, emphasizing that consistent effort, discipline and commitment would be critical to their success.
Dr. Tumuhairwe also stressed the importance of respect, encouraging students to respect themselves, their colleagues, lecturers, administrators and the wider University community.
He cautioned the freshers against behaviours and activities that could undermine their academic progress and future prospects, particularly betting, drug abuse and irresponsible sexual behaviour.
The Dean further encouraged the students not to underestimate the programmes they had been admitted to. He noted that every programme presents opportunities for success when students remain committed, focused and willing to work hard.
He urged the freshers to take ownership of their academic journeys rather than judging their programmes solely on the basis of perceived popularity or immediate career prospects.
Freshers Encouraged to Settle Down and Focus on Excellence
Representing the Dean of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering, Prof. Ivan Muzira Mukisa encouraged the freshers to settle into university life quickly and begin working towards academic excellence from the outset.
He cautioned them against wasting time and urged them to develop productive habits early, noting that the routines and discipline established during the first year can significantly influence their academic performance throughout their university journey.
Prof. Mukisa emphasized the importance of effective time management and encouraged students to strike a healthy balance between academic responsibilities and social activities.
He also highlighted the value of teamwork, noting that the ability to work collaboratively is an important skill both within the University and in the professional world.
The students were further encouraged to seek guidance whenever they encounter difficulties instead of struggling with challenges on their own. They were reminded to make use of the academic and student support structures available within the College and University.
Similarly, the Dean, School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Prof. Revocatus Twinomuhangi urged the students to focus on academic and professional success.
Freshers Introduced to University Services and Policies
In addition to the guidance from College leadership, the orientation familiarized the freshers with important administrative, technological and student support services that will shape their experience at Makerere University.
The College Registrar, Ms. Jofrina Kyohairwe, briefed the students on registration procedures and key academic policies. The session aimed to familiarize the freshers with the administrative requirements they are expected to fulfil and help them avoid challenges arising from failure to comply with University regulations and procedures.
The students were also introduced to ICT support services by Mr. Albert Muhumuza, who highlighted the importance of effectively using the University’s digital platforms and technological resources to support their learning.
They were further introduced to library services, which provide access to essential academic resources for coursework, research and independent learning.
The orientation also highlighted counselling and guidance services available to students to support them as they navigate academic, personal and social challenges during their university experience.
Pictorial of the orientation:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DmjNj1pdounFv9juFTDG98p2XQO3tq6b?usp=sharing
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