Agriculture & Environment
Mak Granted 10 Hectares in Poron, Napak to set up Livestock Café & Tick Control Demos
By Jane Anyango
Makerere University has been handed 10 hectares of land in Poron Sub-County, Napak District to set up a livestock café with a tick control demonstration site. The land was handed over from Poron Sub-County to the Napak and Moroto District Technical and Political officials and then to the University on 23rd October 2021.
The demonstration site and knowledge hub are to be implemented under the Drylands Transform project funded by the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development, aimed at addressing complex challenges in the East African dylands such as climate change, food insecurity, land and ecosystem degradation and weak institutions.
Drylands Transform investigates the inter linkages between land health, livestock based livelihoods, human wellbeing and land governance mechanisms in order to contribute to transformative change and sustainable development of the social ecological system in drylands of East Africa.
The 10 hectares were handed over following a series of meetings between the Makerere University research team and Napak and Moroto District Local Governments and Poron Sub-County Technical and Political officials, wherein the research team sought permission and support to implement five-year project activities for the benefit of the agro- pastoralists and pure pastoralists.
Makerere University’s Principal Investigator Prof. Denis Mpairwe thanked the Parish, Sub-County and District technical and political units for the support and offer. He said the offer followed field visits and meetings with stakeholders, users and land owners as well as the Sub-County officials in areas where the project activities will be piloted.
“We were able to meet all the Councilors, Sub-County Chiefs and all the Local Council Chairpersons of the parishes where we shall be operating. We were welcomed in the area and there was willingness to work with the people on the Drylands Transform project.
What was amazing was that when we came for recognizance, we met the community and when we left they went ahead and demarcated the land. And later when they found it was not adequate they went ahead to give us another piece across the road but still within the same area and so we secured the 10 hectares that we need”, Prof. Mpairwe said.
The other achievement according to Prof. Mpairwe was that the communities were all in acceptance and agreed to work with the project team that is going to come under the LDSF – Land Degradation Surveillance Framework expected of them in December and January during the dry spell.
The third achievement he said, was that the community accepted to work with enumerators scheduled to come to conduct household surveys on people’s livelihoods with priority participants being the local residents as long as they hold degrees and diplomas.
The Local Council III (LCIII) Chairperson Poron Mr. Agella John summed it all up by saying that the Sub-County had already given the University whatever it required and that the parties had better stop talking and embark on action. Through consensus all the Sub-County and Parish Chiefs as well as District Officials had agreed on the land for the project.
They also noted that as a Sub-County they didn’t have a heavily degraded or bare area as sought by the project team but unanimously agreed with the University team that Matany was different from the other study sites as it falls under the rain belt where they are expected to look at degradation not by the bare ground but by the loss of important species.
“We went to the site with the entire team in the afternoon, and were taken around the land, given demarcations and then there was an official hand over of the land from the community to the Sub-County, from the Sub-County to the District, then from the District to the project, and it was made clear that this land is still theirs”. The PI explained.
The community appreciated the humble approach the University used to request for land expressing happiness and readiness to work with the project team.
They were also appreciative that the project was focusing on livestock, crops and land use which were important to them.
The community members also introduced the research team to the main crops grown including, green gram, sunflower, sorghum, maize and cassava. They were interested in seeing how green gram can be improved as the major cash crop.
The community in addition said, since the project was looking at the degraded areas it has to address the problem of water scarcity too.
The research team was also informed that most of the population never went to school but, what they have seen in the livestock cafe as a knowledge sharing centre, is a school where they will acquire practical skills, utilize the knowledge and teach others.
The community acknowledged poor nutrition of the animals and entire families as a major factor affecting them and wanted researchers to address the issue of controlling ticks on their livestock as it poses a big challenge.
The acquired land according to Prof. Mpairwe is to be used as a demonstration site termed as a livestock café. In this area the project wants to demonstrate the sustainable way of utilizing the land without causing degradation but also improve on its productivity and in the long run, improve the livelihoods of the people.
“Within the livestock cafe we are going to look at how to improve all the crops, the pasture and trees in the area. We are also trying to address the challenges of the drylands where the major factors are water and fodder and that is why we want to work with you to show you the sustainable ways of conserving water and utilizing it”, Prof. Mpairwe said.
He reported that the site allocated has a water tank that is silted and that this was a chance for the project to de-silt it so as to provide enough water for the livestock café in addition to setting up a spray race to control ticks.
“Our target is knowledge sharing, teaching the people on what to do, to conserve the land, increase on its productivity, stop degradation, improve animal and human health and in the long run, improve the livelihoods of people.
In a nutshell, we scored high in Napak. We were able to get a team of willing agro-pastoralists stakeholders to work with us after understanding what the project is about. By the fourth year project mark, the people would have learnt how to utilize the land, increase productivity of both the crop and livestock and got enough knowledge to produce from that land, knowledge to give to others and there is high potential of making money especially from feeds and hay which is becoming a big commodity in Uganda”, Prof. Mpairwe stated.
Napak District Agricultural Officer Mr. Nangiro Abrahams said they understood the whole concept of the Drylands Transform project as one of the longest projects the district will host.
The Agricultural Officer thanked the community of Napak and Poron Sub-County in particular for the teamwork saying, where the district leadership had reached in terms of preparation was amazing.
“As soon as we heard of the coming of the project, we were able to take up the matter and share it with our community leaders. As the District Agricultural Officer, we have interested the community to take up developmental interventions in the area and Poron Sub-County in particular. I have also welcomed the project and I am confident that the community will cooperate for the project to achieve the desired objectives”, Mr. Nangiro said.
Nangiro noted that the main aspects of the project which are landscapes, livestock and livelihoods require a lot of demonstrations in the community. He said the community had gone ahead with the leadership of the Sub-County and District to identify some portion of land of over 20 acres where the project will be located.
The Agricultural Officer said, the mode of project delivery focuses on livestock cafes and the land given by the community will be owned by the Sub-County with all demonstrations about livestock management, crop production, water conservation, pasture management done within the given plot of land.
Mr. Nangiro said after the project, the demonstration site will continue acting as a school for the community and many who have not gone to school for the sustainability of the project.
He said Napak District Local Government welcomes interventions that are geared towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and works together with non-state actors to complement government programs to fill the gaps in advisory services, financing and staffing.
“Many of our people depend on livestock for their livelihood and this aspect has been so much affected because of the changing climate and poor agronomic practices and this is where other actors have to come on board to work with government to find solutions.
Many of our farmers have gone into crop farming and have issues to do with non-adaption to good agricultural practices, lack of agricultural inputs, agro input dealers, agro processing where concerted effort is required”, Nangiro noted. The District Agricultural Officer called upon Makerere University to put more focus into research, practices, technologies and indigenous knowledge that has been lost over the years for better survival of the communities.
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Agriculture & Environment
PhD Scholarship Announcement (1 Position): Sustainable Energy Transitions in EA
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) proudly presented 562 students for the award of degrees and diplomas at the 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. Among the 562 graduates, 19 earned PhDs, 97 received Master’s degrees, 11 were awarded postgraduate diplomas, and 435 graduated with Bachelor’s degrees.
CAES PhD Graduates
The PhD graduates from CAES included Dr Achola Esther, Dr Akecha Tobby, Dr Baguma Karubanga Julius, Dr Birungi Pauline, Dr Burungi Rosemirta, Dr Fentaw Abate Asmamaw, Dr Habtemariam Assefa, and Dr Idd Ramathani. Others were: Dr Mukama Massa Henry, Dr Mbaziira James, Dr Mugisa Immaculate, Dr Musoke Charles, Dr Nabasumba Sylvia, Dr Nalubwama Sylvia, Dr Nansereko Sophie, Dr Ochen Morris, Dr Odoi Juventine Boaz, Dr Sseremba Emmanuel Owen, and Dr Twase Ismail.
Makerere University Graduation Highlights
A total of 13,662 students received degrees and diplomas of Makerere University at the 75th graduation ceremony held on 13th-17 January 2025. Of these, 143 graduated with PhDs, 1,813 with Masters degrees, 11,454 with Bachelor’s degrees, and 243 with postgraduate diplomas. 53% of the graduates were female and 47% were male. Notably, 44% of the PhD graduates were female underscoring the growing involvement of women in high-level academic research. 16% of the students graduated with post-graduate degrees and diplomas. A total of 491 students graduated with first class degrees.
CAES Graduation Ceremony
The CAES students, along with their peers from the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), graduated on the final day of the ceremony, Friday, 17th January 2025.
Chancellor’s Remarks
During the ceremony, Makerere University Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, congratulated the graduates upon the achievement. He extended his gratitude to the faculty, administrators, parents, and guardians for their continuous support throughout the students’ academic journeys.
In his address, Dr. Kiyonga highlighted the immense potential of Uganda’s agricultural sector, advocating for increased collaboration between the university, and medium- to large-scale farmers, as well as local communities to further improve the sector. “Such partnerships could provide students with hands-on experience while supporting the growth of Uganda’s agricultural economy,” he noted. He called for stronger collaborations with the private sector to commercialize innovations emerging from the University.
In line with the President’s directive, Dr. Kiyonga underscored the importance of integrating Political Economy into the university curricula. He stressed that this knowledge is essential for the strategic utilization of Africa’s resources and the continent’s economic transformation.
Vice Chancellor’s Remarks
In his address, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, equally congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the contribution of the teaching staff, administrators, the families, and guardians of the students. Prof. Nawangwe congratulated Dr. Kiyonga upon his appointment indicating that his wealth of experience would be invaluable to the university’s future development.
Highlighting the achievements registered in the past year, Prof. Nawangwe praised the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for its outstanding research output, which has immensely contributed to the development of Uganda’s agricultural sector. “The College continues to be one of our flag bearers in research. In 2024, the College continued to lead vital initiatives focused on driving sustainable change in Africa’s agricultural and environmental sectors, particularly addressing the challenges of climate change and the need for inclusive sustainable agri-food systems,” he noted. Key of the initiatives and projects undertaken by the College included:
- Makerere University-IOWA State University Community Transformative Initiatives: This project has positively impacted communities in Kamuli District, enhancing livelihoods through programs in agriculture, education, nutrition, and environmental conservation.
- Building Capacity for Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Africa (CaReFoAfrica): A three-year academic mobility scheme co-funded by the EU, aimed at addressing agricultural sector challenges by enhancing human capacity in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Agroforestry for People, Ecosystems, and Climate Change (AfPEC): Funded by DANIDA, this project promotes agroforestry practices to protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change in the disaster-prone Mt. Elgon region.
- FoodLAND Project: Funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020, this initiative seeks to develop innovative, scalable, and sustainable technologies to improve the nutrition performance of Africa’s local food systems.
- Centre for Tourism Development: In collaboration with the University of Oregon and Penn State University, CAES has embarked on developing a centre dedicated to addressing tourism challenges, including wildlife-community conflicts near game reserves.
Research excellence and Teacher Recognition
During the 75th graduation ceremony, Makerere University recognized the best researchers and teachers from each of the 10 Colleges. CAES produced the overall best teachers of the year at Makerere University namely: Dr Steven Lwasa (Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics), Dr Patrick Musinguzi (Department of Agricultural Production) and Dr Joshua Wanyama (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). The Senior Researcher Award was presented to Prof. Richard Edema (Department of Agricultural Production), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze (Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences), Assoc. Prof. Anthony Egeru (Department of Environmental Management), and Assoc. Prof. Isa Kabenge (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). The Mid-Career Researcher Award went to Dr Robert Mugabi (Department of Food Technology and Nutrition), Dr Dramadri Isaac (Department of Agricultural Production), Dr Joshua Wanyama (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering), and Dr Ephraim Nuwamanya (Department of Agricultural Production). Dr Erion Bwambale (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering), Dr Denis Nsubuga (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering), and Dr Robert Asiimwe (Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics) were recognized as the best Early Career Researchers.
75th Graduation CAES Pictorial
Agriculture & Environment
Makerere Hosts Climate Adaptation workshop: Calls for Action to Mitigate Climate Change Threats to Agricultural Sector
Kampala, 19th December 2024: The Department of Geography, Geo-informatics, and Climatic Sciences at Makerere University, in collaboration with the Department of Geography at Kyambogo University, held a workshop to disseminate research findings from three climate adaptation and mitigation projects funded by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), RAINCA, WASCAL, Akademiya2063, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York under the CECAP Program.
The workshop, which took place on 19th December 2024, at the GIS Lab of Makerere University, focused on three key projects: Land Use Management & Artificial Intelligence for Crop Production, Land Use & Carbon Stocks, and Adaptation to Climate Change Induced Vulnerability. The goal of the workshop was to engage in-country stakeholders on interpreting the research findings and strategically applying them to mitigate the impact of climate change on Uganda’s agricultural sector across various agro-ecosystems and agro-ecological zones. Recommendations were drawn up in the form of policy briefs to guide climate adaptation efforts.
While officially opening the workshop the Dean of the School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS), Dr. Revocatus Twinomuhangi, extended a warm welcome to participants at the workshop, where he also delivered both the opening and closing remarks. In his address, Dr. Twinomuhangi commended the study’s Principal Investigator (PI) for successfully implementing the project and enhancing Makerere University‘s reputation. He expressed gratitude to the project’s partners for their collaborative efforts, as well as to the department for fostering an enabling environment for the research. Additionally, Dr. Twinomuhangi acknowledged the support of funders such as DGRT, whose contributions made the project possible.
The Dean thanked all the participants for their attendance, emphasizing the importance of continuing the work initiated by the project. He expressed optimism that the research would lead to publications in high-impact journals and be effectively packaged for policy and decision-making. As the workshop concluded, Dr. Twinomuhangi offered his well wishes for safe travels, a restful holiday, and a Merry Christmas, with hopes for a prosperous 2025.
Project PI Dr. Catherine Mulinde on Purpose of the Workshop:
Dr. Catherine Mulinde, Principal Investigator of the climate adaptation projects, addressed the workshop participants, outlining the purpose of the event. She emphasized that the workshop brings together three collaborative projects aimed at addressing climate change impacts on Uganda’s agricultural sector, with the involvement of Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and several funding institutions.
“The workshop encompasses three projects in one, and it’s a collaboration among the team members, the universities, and the donors,” Dr. Mulinde explained. She detailed the three projects, beginning with the Land Use Management and Artificial Intelligence for Crop Production project. This initiative focuses on modeling land productivity and management practices using artificial intelligence, supported by RUFORUM and the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network on Climate Action in Africa (RAINCA), with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The second project, Land Use and Carbon Stocks, examines carbon sequestration practices in various districts, including Mbale, Serere, Nakapiripiri, and Palisa, and is also supported by RUFORUM and IDRC. The third project, led by Dr. Mulinde, explores adaptation strategies for regions severely impacted by climate change, covering a broader range of areas including Mbale, Kapchorwa, Bulambuli, Luwero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola.
Dr. Mulinde emphasized that the workshop aims to share key findings from these projects and engage stakeholders in validating and interpreting the results. “We don’t want to leave the results on the desks,” she stressed. “We want to make sure that these findings are shared with the people who can act on them in the communities.” A key goal of the workshop was to develop actionable policy recommendations, with input from local stakeholders who understand the practical aspects of implementing solutions. “You know the ‘how’ and the ‘what’ and you know where the resources are,” Dr. Mulinde said. “We want to develop recommendations that are not just theoretical, but truly implementable.”
Dr. Mulinde also acknowledged the challenge of translating complex scientific concepts like artificial intelligence into locally understood terms, highlighting the importance of making the research accessible to the community. “It’s one of the challenges in academia—translating science into language that our local communities can understand,” she noted.
She concluded with an invitation to stakeholders to provide feedback on the research findings and contribute to the development of policy briefs. These documents will be used to drive climate adaptation efforts at the local level, ensuring that the research can have a lasting impact on Uganda’s agricultural resilience in the face of climate change. “By the end of the day, we expect to validate the results, address divergences, and develop policy briefs that can be shared back with your communities for further action,” Dr. Mulinde concluded.
Uganda, ranked as the 49th least ready country in terms of climate change adaptation
Uganda, ranked as the 49th least ready country in terms of climate change adaptation, faces immense challenges in securing its agricultural sector from the impacts of climate change. MAAIF Commissioner Freddie Kabango, who was present at the workshop, emphasized the pivotal role agriculture plays in Uganda’s economy, livelihoods, and national GDP. He stated, “Agriculture is at the center of Uganda’s climate change discussions because it directly impacts the livelihoods of many Ugandans. With agriculture heavily dependent on natural resources, it is highly vulnerable to climate change.”
In his presentation, Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Freddie Kabango discussed the diverse impacts of climate change on Uganda’s agricultural sub-sectors—crop production, livestock, and fisheries. He outlined how climate variability, manifested in extreme droughts, floods, and landslides, has already led to reduced productivity, crop destruction, and livestock losses. He further highlighted the critical importance of adaptation strategies in response to these challenges.
“Uganda is experiencing climate change variability, which is evident in extreme weather patterns. Our agriculture sector, which is primarily rain-fed, is one of the most vulnerable to these changes,” Kabango added. “Climate adaptation is crucial, and we need to protect our natural resources to secure the future of agriculture.”
The workshop also featured a series of discussions on the strategies Uganda is pursuing to enhance climate resilience, including research and development, sustainable land management practices, and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural technologies. Kabango mentioned initiatives such as solar-powered irrigation systems and breeding for pest and disease-tolerant varieties to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Despite Uganda’s low ranking in climate adaptation, Kabango expressed optimism that through research, policy development, and collaborative efforts, the country could strengthen its climate resilience. “While we are currently ranked as the 49th least ready country in adaptation, we are not without solutions. We are committed to increasing research and development efforts to improve the country’s preparedness,” he said.
RUFORUM Representative Hails Student AI Innovations in Predicting Crop Yields and Livestock Carbon Emissions
RUFORUM Representative Mr. Yamungu Alongo Boniface highlighted the innovative contributions of AI to climate action during his remarks at the workshop. He began by introducing RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture), a network of 180 universities in 40 African countries, with its headquarters based in Makerere University, Uganda. “RUFORUM started as a project funded by the Rockefeller Foundation,” he explained, recounting how it began with just 10 universities in five African countries and has since expanded significantly. “Uganda, and particularly Makerere University, has benefited greatly from the network’s growth, with many funding opportunities directed here,” he noted.
The evolution of RUFORUM was discussed, with Mr. Alongo explaining that in 2004, following the end of the Rockefeller Foundation-funded Forum for Agriculture project, the network formalized its mission as the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture. “From 10 founding universities, we now have 180 universities, covering all regions of Africa,” he shared. This growth has allowed for collaboration on numerous research projects, such as the AI for Climate Action initiative.
He described the partnership among RUFORUM, WASCAL, and Academia 2063, which secured funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to launch a research hub focused on artificial intelligence for climate action. “Makerere University applied for several grants, and though they were eligible for four, only two were granted to ensure broader continental representation,” Mr. Alongo explained.
In addition to the IDRC funding, Mr. Alongo noted that RUFORUM has been involved in other projects under the Global Research Alliance (GRA), funded by the government of New Zealand, which focuses on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and related research. “Prof. Mkwaya and other departments at Makerere, as well as universities in Kenya and Tanzania, have also benefited from GRA funding,” he said.
Highlighting the impact of the AI projects, Mr. Alongo celebrated the success of a student who developed a crop yield prediction model that outperformed international systems. “The model was more accurate than even DISSAT, a widely recognized tool for agro-technology transfer,” he pointed out. In livestock, students developed amodel which can launch a drone to count animals and the amount of carbon stocks emitted by the animals. He stressed the importance of sharing such findings with local communities and policymakers to ensure the research is implemented effectively. “We need to make sure our findings are used by those who can take action—farmers, policymakers, and ministries,” he said.
Mr. Alongo concluded with a call to action for further collaboration. “We need to mobilize resources to bring these innovations to the field and ensure they are implemented for sustainable change,” he urged. “This workshop is just the beginning, and we must work together to make a real difference.” He also passed greetings from RUFORUM’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Patrick Okori, emphasizing his support for the project and the ongoing efforts to disseminate the findings.
Key Insights and Policy Recommendations
The workshop brought together members of academia, policy makers from government ministries and agencies and representatives from research implementing districts. Participants delved into key issues affecting the region, offering insights and recommendations that could shape future policies and research in environmental management.
Group I: Land Use and Cover
One of the major discussions in the first group focused on the changing land use patterns and their impacts on soil fertility. As communities in the region expand their agricultural activities, they face the challenge of soil degradation, which reduces crop yields. Experts emphasized the need for sustainable land management (SLM) practices to restore soil fertility and boost agricultural productivity. Agroforestry, particularly in lowland areas, was identified as a key solution, alongside wetland restoration, which has been proven to store more carbon.
Participants also suggested that promoting plant diversity in agricultural areas could help increase carbon stocks. This would contribute to the region’s efforts to combat climate change and improve environmental resilience.
Policy recommendations from the group included prioritizing wetland restoration, promoting afforestation and forestation efforts, and enforcing stricter water management regulations. They also stressed the importance of effective urban planning and the establishment of disaster management committees at the local level to respond to climate-related challenges. Additionally, there was a call to compensate district extension workers for their role in promoting sustainable land practices.
Research topics highlighted for future manuscripts included environmental pollution, carbon stock modeling, the impacts of gender on land use and carbon stocks, and the relationship between migration, land use, and carbon storage.
Group II: Adaptation to Climate Change and Vulnerability
The second group focused on the vulnerability of communities to climate change and the need for effective adaptation strategies. A key takeaway was the importance of promoting climate-smart agriculture across all sectors, ensuring that agricultural practices are both sustainable and resilient to climate impacts. The group also called for the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into all sector work plans and budgets, urging governments to operationalize existing policies, which have often remained underutilized.
Community sensitization was identified as a major challenge, with many local stakeholders unaware of existing climate change policies. The group recommended that efforts be made to build the capacity of both policy implementers and communities to ensure that adaptation strategies are understood and implemented effectively. Affirmative action for the most vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly, and children, was also proposed to ensure that their specific needs are addressed in climate policies.
The group identified five key areas where local governments can influence policy design and implementation. These include promoting multi-stakeholder engagement, basing policies on evidence-driven research, integrating new technologies like AI into policy frameworks, and ensuring gender responsiveness and social inclusivity in national adaptation policies.
Group III: Land Management and Agricultural Practices
The third group discussed land management practices and the potential of technology to improve agricultural productivity. The group stressed the need for region-specific land management approaches, tailored to the unique challenges of different areas. They also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing decision-making processes, particularly in precision agriculture and irrigation management. AI can provide more accurate data and predictions, helping farmers make informed decisions and optimize resource use.
Another key message was the importance of education and knowledge sharing to improve the implementation of sustainable land management practices. Participants noted that many farmers lack access to essential information, which hinders their ability to adopt better practices. Ensuring that agricultural extension services are equipped with the knowledge and tools to train farmers in new technologies was seen as a crucial step toward improving productivity.
Policy recommendations from this group included enhancing the existing National Agriculture Adaptation Plans (NAPAs) to make them more region-specific and improving the integration of AI into agricultural extension services. There was also a call for the establishment of a national agriculture data infrastructure policy to support real-time data collection and forecasting, which would enable better agricultural planning and response.
Moving forward, the workshop concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to work together to implement the recommendations discussed. The importance of evidence-based policies, the integration of new technologies like AI, and the prioritization of vulnerable communities were central themes throughout the discussions. As Makerere University continues to play a critical role in addressing climate change and land management issues, the insights gained from this workshop will undoubtedly contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable policies for the future.
About the three Research projects
Dr. Catherine Mulinde presented three important research projects focused on addressing climate change, land use management, and agricultural productivity in Uganda.
Project 1: Carbon Stocks and Climate Change The first project, titled Effect of Changes in Land Use, Cover, and Climate on Carbon Stocks in Selected Agricultural Zones of Uganda, was led by Dr. Paul Isolo Mukwaya, with Dr. Catherine Mulinde and Dr. Geoffrey Gabiri collaborating from Makerere and Kyambogo Universities, respectively. The project’s primary objective was to assess carbon stocks in vegetation and soils in two agroecological zones, Nakapiripirit and Manafwa in Mount Elgon. The team focused on evaluating soil carbon fluxes, the impact of land cover and climate change, and the heterogeneity of environmental factors on carbon levels. Additionally, they projected future changes in carbon stocks and land use scenarios. The research team included students Elizabeth Ahumuza and Vincent Wabwire, who explored the relationship between land use, soil carbon, and meteorological drought in Karamoja. The findings from this project were shared with the community and presented at international platforms.
Project 2: Responsible AI for Agricultural Productivity The second project focused on the application of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in modeling land productivity and crop yields in the face of changing climate and land use. Led by Dr. Mulinde, Dr. Paul Mukwaya, and Dr. Geoffrey Gabiri, the project aimed to explore how AI can assist smallholder farmers who are struggling with decreasing yields due to climate change. The project was conducted in the Lake Kyoga Basin, covering both the highlands (Mbale) and lowlands (Pallisa). The team used machine learning to quantify the relationship between climate change, land management practices, and crop yields, offering insights into how farmers can improve productivity. The project’s students, Irene Nekesa (Kyambogo University) and Kisakye Angela, conducted household interviews and community outreach, presenting findings at international forums, including the RUFORUM conference in Namibia. Angela’s poster was awarded the best presentation at the conference. The project highlighted the need for greater awareness and knowledge of AI in agricultural communities, as many local stakeholders struggled to interpret its potential.
Project 3: Climate Change Adaptation in Coffee Farming Systems The third project was a postdoctoral research initiative supported by Makerere University‘s Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, focused on adaptation to climate change-induced vulnerability in coffee farming systems. Dr. Mulinde was the principal investigator, with Associate Professor Revocatus Twinomuhangi serving as the research mentor. This study, part of the CECAP program funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, aimed to identify the most effective adaptation practices to improve household welfare and agricultural productivity in coffee farming. The research focused on Arabica coffee in the Mount Elgon region (Kapchorwa, Bulambuli, Mbale) and Robusta coffee in the central region (Luwero, Nakaseke, Nakasongola). It identified agroforestry, soil conservation methods, and the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers as effective practices for increasing productivity. The findings were disseminated at both community and international levels, with a focus on cross-sectional surveys, farmer interviews, and data analysis. Amina Twaha, and Margaret Annet Nabirye masters student, contributed significantly to the study by examining household vulnerability to climate shocks.
-
Natural Sciences2 weeks agoMeet Mubiru Enock Joel: Makerere University’s Top Performing Science Student of the Year
-
General2 weeks ago75th Graduation Highlights
-
Education2 weeks agoMakerere University Hosts Exchange Students from Norway for Field-Based Learning in Uganda
-
General1 week agoMak 75th Graduation Commences with 49 PhDs Conferred
-
Computing & IS1 week agoClose to 700 Graduate from CoCIS at the Mak 75th Graduation