Agriculture & Environment
Mak-CAES, UNBS Launch Edible Insect Products & Standards
Edible insects have the potential to fill the nutrition and income gaps in Uganda and Kenya. They are rich in protein and cheaper to manage. However, edible insect value chains are under-developed yet the demand is high. Business enterprises for rearing and processing quality insect food products do not exist and the business potential has not been evaluated.
Through a project titled INSBIZ – “INSect-based agriBIZiness for Sustainable grasshopper and cricket production and processing for food in Kenya in Uganda” researchers from the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University in collaboration with partners from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) set out to improve the profitability and nutritional benefits of edible insects.
Objectives of the project
The development objective of the project was to contribute to improved food and nutritional security, job creation and income generation, and reduction of the gender gap for the most vulnerable groups in East Africa in general and specifically in Kenya and Uganda through edible insects production and processing. Specific objectives included; (1) assessing the market size and testing the market performance of insect-based foods; (2) adapting and piloting of mass rearing protocols for crickets and grasshoppers; (3) developing, characterizing and commercializing insect-enriched food products; and (4) creating a favourable enabling environment for insect-based food through policy/standards, advocacy and awareness creation.
The three-year project funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through the BioInnovate Africa Programme Phase II was headed by Dr Dorothy Nakimbugwe, an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition at CAES. Other members on the project included Dr. Geoffrey Ssepuuya from the same department, and Dr. Jackline Bonabana-Wabbi from the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics.
Project closing meeting
During the project closing meeting held in the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering Conference Hall on 28th March 2022, Makerere University together with Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) launched edible insect products and standards for the enterprise. The event was presided over by Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Uganda National Bureau of Standards Executive Director, Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru. It was witnessed by the Principal of CAES, Dr Gorettie N. Nabanoga; the Commissioner in charge of Entomology at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr. Gidudu Masaba Ambrose; and representatives from icipe led by Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga.
The products launched included shelf-stable, safe and well packaged grasshopper products, cricket enriched flours, snacks, and cookies enriched with crickets.
Project outcomes
Addressing participants, Dr Nakimbugwe said the products would largely reduce nutritional challenges. “The majority of our people are not able to improve their diets because the foods that are high in protein, vitamins and minerals like chicken, beef and fish are expensive. We turned to insects because they address some of those problems. They are more nutritious than the conventional animal proteins like chicken, beef and fish. In addition, they take a shorter time to grow. Crickets grow in a matter of weeks compared to the other livestock. They can be harvested within 4 to 7 weeks. They also have a high feed conversion. The amount of feed you need to produce 1kg of insect is only about one and half kilogrammes. When it comes to the producing 1 kg of chicken, the amount of feed increases to about 5 kgs. If you are to produce 1 kg of beef, the amount of feed you need is 50kgs. The insects convert feed rapidly and efficiently and produce protein faster and of the same quality. They also require less space for rearing and present an opportunity to close the food and nutrition gap especially around proteins, vitamins and minerals,” she explained.
According to Dr Nakimbugwe, the project also sought to formalize the sector to make it more profitable. “For a long time, we have not had a certified product on the market because the Uganda National Bureau of Standards did not have a standard. The sector has been very informal. Insects are sold on streets and not controlled. In this project, we wanted to improve that situation. Together with the UNBS, we developed a standard for Uganda which was approved and is now available for use. For the first time you will be able to find certified insect products on the Ugandan market,” she noted.
The project also aimed mitigate the effects of climate change and greenhouse emissions that are high for animals and much lower for insects.
Other contributions included building capacity for research in this field. “The research in insects for food and feed is fairly new compared to other fields so we needed a lot of capacity development. The project was able to train the farmers and harvesters on handling of insects. We also trained students from PhDs, to MAs, undergraduates, fellows and technicians. This was necessary to sustain the research and development of this fairly noble field.”
Under the project, the researchers developed a compound feed to sustain large scale production of the insects. “If you are going to do commercial production, it is important that you have a standardized feed. In this development, we were very careful to exclude input that are also human food like silver fish and soy. Most of the feed in Uganda is in competition with the human food chain. In the project we were careful to avoid that. We formulated feed using the Black soldier fly larvae,” she explained.
Other outputs included strengthened edible insect value chains – cricket farmers linked to markets; large scale production, processing and marketing of cricket and grasshopper products; approved insect based food standards in Kenya and Uganda; improved grasshopper trapping method (cost-effective, sustainable and safer); more sustainable cricket rearing – using developed feed and container prototypes; and improved food and nutritional security through increased diversity of available nutritious and safe edible insect foods. All the products developed have shelf-life of over 6 months. For the grasshopper product, this implies all-year availability to consumers.
The project also contributed to the improvement of consumer health and safety through consumption of UNBS (and KEBS)-certified insect food products; increased incomes as a result of lower post-harvest losses for cricket farmers and grasshopper harvesters through use of improved post-harvesting techniques to maintain quality and safety; increased jobs creation and job security through improved capacity of young researchers, technicians and actors along the edible insects’ value chains; higher profile of and support for insect foods due to increased public awareness of their nutritional and commercial importance through various programmes.
During the event, a cricket farmer from Masaka shared her experience with the enterprise. She noted that with support from the project, cricket rearing had greatly transformed her life and is now able to pay fees for her children. The project supports over 50 cricket farmers in Masaka.
Remarks by the Vice Chancellor
In his remarks, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe applauded the researchers noting that the project would largely address challenges of food insecurity in the country. “Makerere University researchers are taking the issue of food security seriously. In Africa, the biggest challenge we have is feeding the growing population. The traditional foods are not expanding in volume and some are actually disappearing yet we have this abundancy of what you can call the animal world. There are insects that we have traditionally eaten but these are seasonal. There are also insects which we assume we should not eat but are highly nutritious and eaten by people all over the world. Researching into ways of making their products more attractive will largely increase their consumption and boost food security,” he explained. He acknowledged the efforts of the researchers towards transforming Makerere into a research-led University as per the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan.
Speaking on the need to move the country to middle income status, the Vice Chancellor urged the researchers to transform the innovations into business enterprises. “We need to move towards setting up companies that will address challenges of unemployment but also boost our economy. With these great ideas, you can become billionaires and less dependent on salary,” he advised. He cautioned researchers to work towards patenting their products.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated SIDA and BioInnovate Africa for the support extended to the project. He also thanked the Government of Uganda for supporting research activities at the University. He urged researchers to continue engaging the government and private sector in projects, noting that research is more impactful when they work together.
Remarks from CAES Leadership
The Principal of CAES, Dr Gorettie N. Nabanoga applauded the project team for what she described as cutting-edge research that will greatly address challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition and improve food safety. “You have made CAES and Makerere proud with this level of success registered from the project,” she said.
Dr Nabanoga appreciated the development partners and the Government of Uganda for the continued support towards research at Makerere. She also appreciated the Vice Chancellor for the untiring support towards CAES activities.
In their remarks, the Dean of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering, Dr Abel Atukwase and the Head Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Dr Ivan Muzira Mukisa congratulated the research team upon the successes registered. They also appreciated the project partners and funders for the support extended to various programmes at CAES.
The Executive Director of Ugandan National Bureau of Standards, Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru urged the research team to extensively disseminate and rollout the project to other parts of the country. He called for innovative measures of ensuring sustainability of the projects when donor funding stops.
Please see below for presentations from the workshop.
Agriculture & Environment
Master’s Scholars Engage Lwengo and Rakai Communities to Inform Research Conceptualisation
By Myres Ndyabawe
Makerere University Master’s Scholars under the Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), an initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, undertook a reconnaissance visit to Lwengo and Rakai districts in preparation of their academic research engagements.
The visit was intended to ensure that the research is informed by local realities, priorities, and perspectives, thereby enabling the scholars to undertake work that is responsive to and aligned with the needs of the communities it seeks to serve.
Accompanied by members of the ACC Program Delivery Team, Scholars engaged district technical staff, farmer cooperative representatives, and community members before visiting selected farmers across the two districts.
These interactions provided an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the climate change-related challenges affecting local livelihoods and communities, thereby helping to inform the design and implementation of their research activities.
Lwengo District Agricultural Officer, Peter Bamwesigye welcomed the Africa Climate Collaborative staff and the Scholars in the district, pledging support for all initiatives that will be implemented in the district under the Africa Climate Collaborative.
“We want such good news and welcome such interventions that transform our communities. As a district, we believe the research conducted by the students will bring innovations that will improve the lives of the people we serve.” Bamwesigye said.
Community Challenges Requiring Research and Innovation
Richard Ayesiga, the manager of Kyazanga Farmers’ Cooperative Society, which brings together 1,088 farmers, noted that prolonged dry spells and limited knowledge on climate resilience have reduced farmer productivity in the area, urging students to provide solutions to farmers through their research.
In Rakai District, the Senior Agricultural Officer, Ivan Bwow, led the team on a field visit to Lake Kijjanebalola. He explained that the proliferation of invasive water weeds has disrupted fishing activities and restricted access to the lake by other users, adversely affecting livelihoods, food security, and household incomes in surrounding communities.
He further observed that some parts of Rakai District are affected by saline water, which limits the viability of irrigation. This challenge has contributed to increased encroachment on swamps and wetlands as communities search for alternative sources of water and productive land, placing additional pressure on fragile ecosystems.
The other challenges that were noted across the two districts include;
- Poor waste management
- Plastic pollution
- Crop pests and diseases
- Mis-use of artificial fertilizer that has affected soil health.
Research and Innovation to Inform Climate Solutions
Research is a core requirement for the attainment of a Master’s degree at Makerere University. The Scholars, who receive comprehensive scholarships under the ACC to pursue Master’s degrees in various disciplines, are expected to undertake research in Lwengo and Rakai districts during their second year of study.
During the engagement, participants raised concerns about the common practice of researchers collecting data from communities without returning to share the findings and recommendations.
Responding to these concerns on behalf of ACC, Mr. Antonny Tugaineyo, Principal Coordinator of the Climate Resilience Support Centre (CRSC), reassured stakeholders that the Program is committed to ensuring that research findings are disseminated to local communities and relevant stakeholders.
He noted that the evidence generated will be used to inform policy development, strengthen decision-making, and support innovative solutions to climate-related challenges affecting Lwengo and Rakai districts.
“The fourth pillar of the Africa Climate Collaborative is Networks, Policy and Learning. Our work does not end with conducting research. We are committed to engaging stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the knowledge generated benefits the communities that contribute to and participate in the research process,” Mr. Tugaineyo said.
Agriculture & Environment
Policy Brief: Strengthening Climate Resilience and Livelihoods in Uganda’s Refugee and Host Communities
Uganda’s refugee-hosting and vulnerable communities in Kyangwali (Kikuube district, part of former greater Hoima district) and Kasese district face severe risks from climate change, population pressure, and resource dependence, undermining livelihoods, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) outcomes. The Makerere-Cambridge project Communities of Hosts and Refugees Transitioning to Climate Resilience (CHART-CR) engaged communities through participatory research to identify adaptive practices, infrastructure gaps, and actionable strategies to address these issues.
Our findings are that integrated interventions including community training hubs for capacity building, climate-resilient infrastructure, and participatory resource governance can strengthen resilience, protect livelihoods, prevent potential conflicts, and support sustainable development.
More information: https://chart-cr.org/.
Key Messages for Policy
- In Hoima District: Erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells are significantly affecting agricultural productivity and water availability, thereby threatening food security among refugees and vulnerable host communities.
- In Kasese District: Frequent floods and landslides are causing widespread disruption to agriculture, damaging infrastructure, and compromising food security and WASH services, especially for refugees and vulnerable host populations.
- Strengthening climate resilience requires combining infrastructure investments, community training, participatory governance, and livelihood support to address interconnected risks in food security, water, and sanitation.
- Refugee and host communities already demonstrate adaptive practices such as soil conservation, intercropping, and water-efficient farming which can be scaled and reinforced through participatory learning platforms.
- Women and children bear the brunt of water collection and household labor; inclusive strategies and equitable decision-making in WASH, agriculture, and resource management enhance both resilience and social equity.
- Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, integrated community hubs for knowledge exchange and capacity building, and participatory governance could strengthen adaptive capacity, secure livelihoods, prevent societal conflicts between communities and protect health, education, and sustainable development outcomes.
1. Background
Uganda hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations under a progressive policy framework that promotes inclusion and self-reliance. Within this context, Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Hoima District accommodates approximately 155,000 residents, of whom 99.7% are refugees. Women and children constitute nearly 80% of the population, underscoring significant demographic vulnerabilities. Increasing population density, coupled with declining land availability per household, has intensified pressure on natural resources. This has contributed to environmental degradation and heightened exposure to recurrent droughts, thereby constraining agricultural productivity, worsening food insecurity, and increasing dependence on humanitarian assistance. The host communities suffer from the same environmental changes, and the fact that the refugee and host communities are managed separately add to suspiciousness between them that might lead to rising tensions and potential conflicts.
Similarly, Kasese District has an estimated 750,000 people who rely heavily on rain-fed subsistence agriculture, with over 85% of the population dependent on this livelihood system. The district is highly susceptible to climate-related hazards, including recurrent flooding, landslides, and droughts. These risks are particularly pronounced along River Nyamwamba and within the Kilembe mining areas, where environmental instability continues to undermine water and sanitation, infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods, and pose significant public health challenges. The convergence of climate variability, rapid population growth, and high dependence on natural resources creates a complex and reinforcing cycle of vulnerability affecting both refugee and host communities.
2. Methodology
The project Communities of Hosts and Refugees Transitioning to Climate Resilience (CHART-CR) through workshops was designed to generate evidence to these challenges and inform integrated policy and programming. The project focused on the interlinked dimensions of climate variability, food security, livelihoods, and water availability across diverse ecological contexts, including lowland refugee-hosting areas and mountainous, flood-prone regions. Implementation was undertaken through a collaborative partnership between Makerere University, the University of Cambridge, and the Cambridge-Africa Programme, with financial support from the Mastercard Foundation and Cambridge-Africa.
The CHART-CR Project adopted a participatory and inclusive research approach, engaging stakeholders comprising refugees, host community members, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and local government officials. Stakeholder selection prioritized gender balance, age diversity, and the inclusion of marginalized groups, including women, older persons, and persons with disabilities. Data collection employed included workshop discussions, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations. This approach enabled the systematic capture of community perspectives alongside expert insights, generating context-specific, actionable evidence to inform policy and interventions aimed at strengthening climate resilience, food security, WASH systems, and sustainable livelihoods.
3. Climate Variability and Environmental Pressures Key Policy Issues
In Kyangwali, rainfall patterns have become increasingly erratic, with delayed rainy seasons and prolonged dry spells disrupting traditional planting and harvest cycles and significantly reducing yields. Deforestation associated with refugee settlement expansion has reduced soil moisture retention, biodiversity, and microclimate regulation, further undermining agricultural productivity.
In Kasese, floods from River Nyamwamba and recurring droughts threaten homes, crops, and infrastructure, displacing households and reducing agricultural yields. Both districts experience environmental degradation that exacerbates vulnerability to climate shocks.
Food Security and Livelihood Constraints
Shrinking per capita land provision, declining seed quality, limited access to farm inputs, and weak storage infrastructure constrain crop diversification and household self-reliance in both districts. Post-harvest losses and limited market access reduce household income, heightening vulnerability. Refugee-host interactions, including land rental, knowledge exchange, and market engagement, enhance resilience but might also create perceptions of inequality due to differences in institutional support.
Water Access and availability Challenges
Communities face water scarcity and contamination from communal usage, poor sanitation, and agricultural runoff. Women and children bear the primary burden of water collection, often traveling long distances, which reduces labor productivity and school attendance. In Kasese district, low latrine coverage, open defecation, and inadequate waste management increase exposure to waterborne diseases. Floods and landslides on Kasese further compromise water quality and availability and thus increase health risks.
Adaptive Capacities
Despite these challenges, communities demonstrate strong local knowledge and adaptive practices, including informal water management, soil conservation, intercropping, and water-efficient farming techniques. Participatory approaches, joint training in climate-smart agriculture, and collaborative livelihood initiatives foster social cohesion and knowledge sharing between refugees and host communities. Existing leadership structures, community awareness, and partial infrastructure provide a foundation for scaling resilience interventions.
4. Conclusions and Policy Directions
Climate variability, population pressure, and resource dependence significantly undermine livelihoods, food security, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) outcomes in Kyangwali and Kasese. Communities possess valuable experiential knowledge, adaptive practices, and social cohesion; however, structural constraints including weak infrastructure, limited financing, low technical capacity, and fragmented coordination – limit the effectiveness of local strategies.
To strengthen resilience, integrated interventions are required that bridge humanitarian response and long-term development, institutionalize participatory and gender-sensitive approaches, build human, social, and institutional capital, and align local priorities with technical expertise and policy frameworks. Key policy measures include:
- Establish and strengthen integrated community resilience centers that serve as hubs for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and practical training in climate-smart agriculture, environmental conservation, food storage, water management, and market access. These centers should also promote inclusive learning, skills development, and cooperative enterprises that support both refugee and host communities in developing sustainable livelihoods.
- Invest in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Upgrade WASH systems, construct protected wells, boreholes, piped water networks, and communal storage facilities, and restore riverbanks through tree planting and drainage maintenance to reduce soil erosion and contamination.
- Promote Community-Led Resource Governance: Support participatory water, sanitation, and agricultural management, including monitoring systems for adaptive learning, equitable resource allocation, and gender-sensitive decision-making.
These combined strategies will enhance adaptive capacity, secure sustainable development outcomes, and protect livelihoods, food security, health, and education for Uganda’s most vulnerable populations.
5. Call to Action
The experiences and lessons learnt from Hoima (Kyangwali Refugee Settlement and adjacent host communities) and Kasese (refugee and host communities living around River Nyamwamba) under the CHART-CR project highlight the urgent need for integrated, locally informed, and coordinated resilience strategies. By aligning technical expertise, policy frameworks, and community knowledge, stakeholders can enhance adaptive capacity, secure sustainable development outcomes, and protect livelihoods, food security, health, and education for Uganda’s most vulnerable populations. Further details about the CHART-CR project, its research, and outcomes can be accessed at https://chart-cr.org/
About the Authors
 Dr. Gabriel Karubanga Lecturer, Makerere University, Uganda |  Dr Irit Katz, Assoc. Prof. of Architecture, University of Cambridge, UK |  Mr. Frank Mafumo, PhD student, Makerere University, Uganda |
Important Contacts
- Dr. Gabriel Karubanga, Lecturer, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256782929971; email: gabriel.karubanga@mak.ac.ug
- Dr Irit Katz, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge; email: ik300@cam.ac.uk
- Mr. Frank Mafumo, PhD student, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256774171519; email: mafumofrank2020@gmail.com
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Agriculture & Environment
Prof. Isa Kabenge Officially Hands Over Leadership of DABE to Prof. Joshua Wanyama
Prof. Isa Kabenge has officially handed over leadership of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DABE) at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University to Prof. Joshua Wanyama. Prof. Kabenge has served as Head of Department since 2021, providing four years of leadership marked by institutional growth, strengthened partnerships, and expanded academic output. Prof. Wanyama will serve as Head of Department for a four-year term, effective 6th May 2026.
The handover ceremony, held in the Conference Hall of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) on 4th June 2026, was attended by key university officials and members of staff from the department. These included the Director of Human Resources, Makerere University, represented by the CAES Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Julius Lebo; the Dean of SFTNB, Dr. Julia Kigozi; and the Head of Internal Audit, represented by the College Bursar, Ms. Susan Kyamulabi.
Remarks and Appreciation by the Dean
In her remarks, Dr. Julia Kigozi commended Prof. Kabenge for his dedicated service and exemplary leadership. She appreciated him for the cordial working relationship, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to institutional development. She particularly acknowledged his efforts in initiating and strengthening partnerships with both local and international partners, which have significantly enhanced the department’s academic and research profile.
Dr. Kigozi congratulated Prof. Wanyama on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would build on the accomplishments of his predecessor.
Reflections from Prof. Kabenge
Prof. Kabenge expressed gratitude to the University Management, as well as the staff of DABE, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the department over the past four years. He also acknowledged the support extended to him by the College and School leadership throughout his tenure.
“My time in office coincided with particularly challenging circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages. Despite these difficulties, I commend the resilience, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by staff, which enabled the department to continue progressing. This experience has affirmed that DABE has an exceptional team with immense potential that can be leveraged to elevate the department to even greater heights,” he said. “It has been an honour to serve as Head of Department. As I step down, I do so with full confidence in the direction the department is taking.”
Prof. Kabenge encouraged staff to continue strengthening the culture of collaboration that has become a hallmark of the department, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary engagement. “Many of the issues the department addresses, such as water security and climate-smart agriculture, are complex and require diverse expertise and collaborative approaches,” he noted.
Prof. Kabenge pledged to continue supporting the department, particularly in the areas of research and collaboration.
Achievements registered
The overarching goal of DABE is to remain a leading center of excellence in agro-production and food systems within the region and across East Africa. The Department currently hosts approximately 315 students and offers a range of academic programmes, including the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Water and Irrigation Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Bioprocessing Engineering, Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering, and a PhD in Agricultural Engineering.
Strengthened Research Profile
Prof. Kabenge leaves office at a time when the department has established a strong research profile, with academic staff producing more than 40 publications annually. Research within the department spans a wide range of thematic areas, including soil, water and irrigation engineering; bioprocess engineering; food processing, preservation and bio-based materials; nanotechnology and bioprocessing technologies for agriculture; artificial intelligence and engineering modelling; and power and machinery for sustainable agriculture. This growing research output has been complemented by an expanding network of collaborations that has strengthened the department’s capacity for innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical impact.
Infrastructure and Capacity Building
In addition, DABE has developed several practical training and research facilities, including a fabrication workshop at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK), aquaculture ponds, irrigation demonstration and experimental systems, post-harvest handling facilities such as refractive window dryers and hybrid solar dryers, and a water science laboratory currently under development. Many of these facilities have been established through research projects funded by both local and international partners.
The Department also hosts the Africa Water Quality Testing Fellowship, a capacity-building programme implemented in partnership with the Aquaya Institute. The fellowship trains students and early-career professionals in water quality monitoring, testing, and management through classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and field-based research. It aims to strengthen Africa’s water workforce, improve access to reliable water quality data, and support safer drinking water systems. The programme is part of a five-year regional initiative (2021-2026) operating through universities in Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
Welcoming the New Head
Prof. Kabenge congratulated Prof. Wanyama on his appointment and encouraged him to sustain and further strengthen the department’s local and international partnerships. He specifically encouraged the revival of visiting professorships and deeper engagement with the department’s expanding and well-connected alumni network.
Remarks by the University Officials and Incoming Head
The Director of Human Resources, represented by Mr. Julius Lebo, commended the outgoing head for his dedicated service and welcomed the incoming head, appreciating his willingness to take on the leadership role.
Similarly, the College Bursar, Ms. Susan Kyamulabi, praised Prof. Kabenge for his professionalism, strong administrative organization, and prudent management of departmental funds.
In his remarks, Prof. Joshua Wanyama expressed gratitude to University Management for his appointment, and to Prof. Kabenge, for his exemplary servant leadership and mentorship. He acknowledged the department’s steady growth under the outgoing head and thanked staff for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead them.
“I pledge my full commitment to serve. DABE is known for excellence and delivery, and I intend to uphold and strengthen that legacy. We shall continue working as a team to pursue excellence and further develop our department,” he said.
Brief about Prof. Joshua Wanyama
Prof. Joshua Wanyama is a Ugandan academic and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Makerere University. He holds a PhD in Bioscience Engineering from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), a Master of Science in Water Science and Engineering from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Netherlands), and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Makerere University.
With over twenty years of experience in teaching, research, and academic mentorship, he specializes in irrigation engineering, water resources management, watershed systems, and climate-smart agriculture. His work focuses on advancing sustainable agricultural water systems and strengthening climate resilience in Uganda and the wider region.
He has supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributed to curriculum development, and served as an external examiner for a number of universities across Africa. He is a registered professional engineer and an active member of professional bodies including the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
In recognition of his academic excellence, he was named among the top-performing mid-career researchers and lecturers at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in the 2025 Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards.
Pictorial of the handover ceremony:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RjIS9_8mPM5HVr7UAFP7ik43kkpj-WOY?usp=sharing
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