Agriculture & Environment
Researchers Invent Shield to Curb Spread of COVID-19
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University hosted a hybrid virtual and physical symposium on Transport and Covid-19. The symposium held on 22nd February 2022 at the College of Computing and Information Sciences’ Conference Room was aimed at disseminating research findings from a project titled: Modeling the Exposure Risk Trade-off between Public Transit and Private Paratransit for Transport Decision making in the era of Covid-19.
The overall objective of the project was to provide a science-based answer for transport policymakers in developing countries in relation to the safest publicly available transport mode to move people during the pandemic, and making travelling in para-transit modes-especially motorcycle taxis safer. The project also aimed to address issues related to changes in travel choices and preferences during the pandemic. It was funded by UK Research and Innovation as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and Newton Fund Agile Response Call to Respond to Covid-19.
The project started in 2020 and ended in December 2021. It was carried out in four countries with twelve (12) researchers involved in three (3) case study cities of Nigeria (Owerri), Uganda (Kampala) and Bangaldesh (Hakara). The project was a collaboration between five universities including: Makerere University, University of Leeds, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, University of Asia Pacific and Federal University of Technology Owerri. Makerere University was represented by Dr. Paul Mukwaya from the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, CAES, and Dr. Andrew Bwambale from the Department of Civil Engineering, CEDAT. The project was executed under the leadership of Dr. Zia Wadudu, Associate Professor at the Institute for Transport Studies – University of Leeds. According to Prof. Wadud, the research project was diverse in terms of gender, age, race and area of coverage. The symposium was guided by two main objectives including: 1) Disseminating and sharing relevant international academic knowledge with stakeholders in the transport and health sectors; and 2) Facilitating opportunities for networking, collaboration and exchange of ideas with international experts in evidence-based practice and education.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Paul Mukwaya called for extensive dissemination of the research findings within and outside the health and transport sectors. He emphasized the importance collaborative research in addressing public health challenges.
In his remarks, Assoc. Prof. Frank Mugagga, Head Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, appreciated the university of Leeds and all collaborating institutions for the worthwhile initiative, noting that the findings would greatly guide public transport management during health emergencies. He also appreciated the institutions for co-opting students on the project. “In line with the Makerere University motto, you cannot effectively Build for the Future without engaging the students,” he noted. Referring to objective two of the symposium – Facilitating opportunities for networking, collaboration and exchange of ideas with international experts in evidence-based practice and education – Assoc. Prof. Mugagga called for more research collaborations within and outside the country.
Presenting an overview of the project, Dr. Zia Wadud Associate Professor, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds and Principal Investigator noted that the project focused on “modeling the exposure risk trade-off between public and private paratransit for transport decision making in the era of covid-19”. Highlighting the statistics of COVID19-related infections and deaths between 2020-2022, Dr Wadud said 86 million people were infected by early January 2021and 1.8 million people had died of covid-19 in the same year. By February 2022, the projected rate of covid-19 infections had increased to 445 million with 5.9 million deaths.
It is with profound pride, reflection, and vision that I present the 2024 Annual Report for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Makerere University. This report is more than a summary of the milestones in 2024 – it is a powerful testament to what is possible when a dedicated academic community rallies behind a common purpose. It encapsulates the collective effort, ingenuity, and resilience of our faculty, researchers, administrators, technical teams, students, alumni, and partners – each of whom has contributed meaningfully to advancing our threefold mandate: Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation, and Knowledge and Technology Transfer Partnerships.
Throughout 2024, we deepened our resolve to nurture not only competent graduates, but also purpose-driven leaders capable of shaping the future of agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food systems across Uganda, Africa, and beyond. Through transformative curricula, cutting-edge facilities, and a strong commitment to STEM-based experiential learning, CAES continues to empower a new generation of innovators – technically sound, ethically grounded, and globally aware.
Our academic programs continued to evolve in both quality and relevance. We offered 48 academic programs—including 15 undergraduate, 19 masters, 11 PhD, and 3 postgraduate diploma programs. A total of 2,339 students were enrolled in 2024, with 60% of undergraduate learning delivered through hands-on, field-based instruction. At the 74th graduation ceremony, 638 students graduated, including 20 PhDs, 104 masters, and 511 bachelor’s degree recipients. Notably, we celebrated 25 first-class graduates who represent academic excellence across disciplines.
Through over 100 partnerships, we translated knowledge into impact. Initiatives like CURAD, FTBIC, and MaRCCI empowered communities in agribusiness, food safety, and climate resilience.
I thank our entire community for your commitment and collaboration. Together, we are not only advancing knowledge but shaping sustainable futures across Uganda and beyond.
Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga
Principal, CAES
Follow the link below to access the full report;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dF3s_8A0dDpzdRoNltGTlkrvTukV7SAK/view?usp=sharing
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