Agriculture & Environment
International Symposium on Covid-19 Effects & Responses in Informal Settlements & Commercial Zones of Kampala
Globally, economies and societal sectors have been negatively affected by COVID-19 pandemic and its associated containment measures. In Uganda, lockdowns were put in place especially in Kampala as a way of containing spreader events. Makerere University represented by the Urban Action Lab in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), in collaboration with the University of Manchester Global Development Institute and ACTTOGETHER-Uganda undertook a study titled: “Covid-19 Effects, Experiences and Responses in Informal Settlements and Commercial Zones of Kampala-Uganda”. The results of the study were presented by the team members during the International Symposium on Covid-19 Effects, Experiences and Responses in Informal Settlements and Commercial Zones of Kampala-Uganda held on 15th March 2022 at the College of Computing and Information Sciences’ Conference Room. The project was guided by three (3) main objectives including: (1) Understanding how the COVID-19 measures have amplified health, economic, occupational, and social risks, (2) Understanding the impact of lockdown measures with the increasing cases of COVID-19 infections, and (3) Exploring the experiences and consequences of the enforcement of measures in public places, the governance of these measures, the partnerships, and power-related tensions. The study analyzed collaborative coalitions that emerged as a response to handling the COVID-19 crisis in Kampala city.
Issues Arising from the Symposium
1. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the underlying urban planning and development inadequacies, mainly in the informal sector. It escalated challenges to food systems, WASH services, energy, transport, livelihood, and businesses enterprises, and heightened health risks and exposure to COVID-19. This was because the majority of the labourforce had to work from home which Increased psychological stress as a result of prolonged shutdowns, partial lockdowns, curfew, and restrictions to specific business establishments. According to Mr. Sseviiri Hakim from ACTTOGETHER, the pandemic negatively impacted Kampala informal settlements – the State measures were inadequate and collective action worked but still lacked.
2. Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ researchers led by Dr. Paul Mukwaya discovered that it was impossible and financially unmanageable to implement comprehensive rescue packages in urban areas during the pandemic. Lockdowns and physical distancing were highly impractical for densely populated settlements and informal enterprises.
3. Kampala City is characterized by a rapidly growing population, with low-income settlements, mixed land uses and limited planning. The industrial sector is estimated at 80% with 60% GDP and the informal sector businesses at 90% with trade at 72%, manufacturing at 23% and services at only 6%. The rate of urbanization in Kampala has outpaced infrastructure investment and expansion capacity with under-serviced Informal settlements characterized by stretched education and healthcare systems. Private sector clinics and drug shops majorly dominate the health domain with the majority of low-income residents’ accessing health services from clinics and drug shops. The level of health services reflected negatively to the COVID-19 response and containment with few public hospitals and health centres providing health services to mostly the low-income earners.
4. Government has done something as far as curbing the spread of COVID-19 is concerned. However there is need for self-assessment among people in order to stop criticizing the government on what it has done and what it has not done. There is need for Government to establish National food stores for food storage during the pandemic. There is also need for government to revisit allocations in the Parish Development Model (PDM) by programming instead of imposing since parishes are fewer compared to the people.
5. In regard to efforts geared towards financial recovery from Covid-19 effects, Mr. Mwanje Nicholas, Kinawataka Zone, urged citizens to opt for financial inclusion especially by saving with Saccos. He encouraged social service pillars aimed at getting data from communities to take care of special interest groups through mindset change and physiological approach.
6. COVID-19 and its measures have globally affected economies. Mr. Ssevviri Hakim noted that the health, economic and social risks were amplified by COVID-19. “There is need to support community-led Initiatives through enhancing the capacity of existing structures. Communities need to work together as well as learn to acknowledge the contribution of others in the fight against the pandemic.
7. According to Mr. Lubega Idiris, vendors were allowed to sleep in markets during the pandemic but the markets barely had the necessary structures. Mr. Lubega urged Government to facilitate the pro-activeness of local level coalitions through provision of accurate information, resources in form of finance and equipment, building synergies for transformational actions and collaborations
8. Mr. Kasaija Peter, a PhD student in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences encouraged the team to put in place an engagement system were researchers can engage with different stakeholders in order to ensure continuous growth of communities even after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approach and Methods
The project team applied Participatory research approach with mixed methods- (Academia, ACTogether, NSDFU, local administrative structure); Focus group discussions (FGDs), (30 FGDs- informal business enterprises, settlement residents, local leaders, COVID-19 taskforce or team members, transport operators, and social service providers) and Key informant interviews (KIIs)- CSOs, KCCA technocrats and politicians, Document reviews, and Videography.
COVID-19 Trends and Implementation Taskforce
The first COVID-19 case was identified on 21st March 2020 in Uganda. COVID-19 cases went on increasing from 52 cases in April 2020 to 123,742 cases by October 2021 and 98% of these were through local transmissions and only 2% of the cases were imported, with 3,161 deaths registered in the country. The country had two prolonged total lockdowns, with selective lockdowns in the education sector for over 16 months. 24.5% of the population in the central business district was highly vulnerable (shopping malls, transactional offices and transport hubs), with 47.3% moderately vulnerable and 38.2% having the lowest level of vulnerability.
The city and division taskforce against COVID-19 were coordinated by KCCA, with support from the ministry of Health, private sector and several development partners including AMREF and URCS. These enforced the presidential directive, set up divisional rapid response surveillance teams, dedicated 90% of the city’s centres to covid-19 emergencies, provided hand washing and hygiene facilities, built capacity of VHT’s, did community sensitization etc. VHT’s provided first aid, raised awareness and direct links to emergency response services through toll free communication channels. Tracked, reported and facilitated the evacuation of suspected cases.
COVID-19 Response and Social protection
Government rolled out a food distribution programme in early April 2020 were families were given 6 Kgs of maize flour and 3 Kgs of beans per household. However, 75% to 95% of the residents in their respective settlements received food relief from government. The Food distribution mechanism had Irregularities including: supply of substandard and less nutritious foods to vulnerable populations; High and middle-income households given food relief in contrast to the targeted low-income household; Alienation of opposition supporting households; No accountability to all food kinds donated to the NTF. Government also distributed facemasks to help curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. However the facemasks were of poor quality and of small sizes. Regarding the promise of economic recovery packages through UDB, there were no clarifications on how the informal sector could access such funds. Government also launched a cash transfer initiative during the second wave of the pandemic i.e., (UGX. 100,000 or USD 27.7) but less than 50 households received cash in a parish.
COVID-19 Socio-Economic and Health Impacts
The pandemic amplified urban inequalities and chronic poverty due to job loss and wage reduction. Livelihoods changed due to increased food and energy prices and closure of Informal businesses. The pandemic also increased the exposure of food selling vendors to the risk of arrest and confiscation of their goods on city streets. There was widespread food insecurity which forced families to reschedule feeding patterns, the quality of food eaten, dietary intake and number of times eaten in a day.
During the first and second phases of lockdown, there was restriction in public transport. The lockdowns and suspension of public transport services disrupted access to healthcare. The bans on public transport led to the spike in the cost of access to healthcare. This was worsened by the incapability of Uganda’s health services to adequately respond to the crisis with many public hospitals lacking enough equipment.
Landlords were reluctant to provide toilet-emptying services and female headed households and youths were unable to pay for water and sanitation facilities which increased the rate of open defecation by residents. During the pandemic, there was improved hygienic conditions due to increased adherence to hand washing and hand sanitization.
Recommendations for addressing future related Pandemics
- There is need to harness the local intelligence of communities to address the long-term challenges faced by slum dwellers.
- There is also need to coordinate communication, planning, decision-making, and operations across a wide range of stakeholders in cities for future response.
- Government should engage: Civic groups, CSOs, local leaders, cultural and religious institutions in case of crisis because they are key in mobilizing and gaining trust in the community and are much trusted by residents than government messaging and policies.
- Coordination mechanisms for targeted responses should be put in place and flexibly changed based on prevailing contexts and a full communication cycle should be embraced and implemented.
- Strong partnerships are key to unlock the potential benefits of collaboration between these complementary people-centered approaches.
- Identifying and supporting community-led solutions for bringing the outbreak under control facilitates people’s active participation in the response.
Agriculture & Environment
Enhancing Food Safety & Nutrition: Mak-CAES Equips Processors & Schools with Vital Skills
In a bid to enhance food safety, nutrition education, and the capacity of small enterprises, the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition (DFTN) at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, implemented a dynamic outreach and training programme during the 2024/2025 recess term. The initiative encompassed a variety of activities, including school-based nutrition awareness campaigns, diagnostic pre-visits to local food processors, and an intensive two-day hands-on training workshop held from 8th–9th September 2025 at the School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering (SFTNB), Makerere University.
The programme sought to address key challenges in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), product formulation, packaging and labelling, certification readiness, and market development for small-scale processors, while also strengthening nutrition knowledge among students and teachers in partner schools.
School trainings and diagnostics with local food processors
The programme commenced with school visits in July 2025 to Zainab Junior School (Makerere-Kavule), Hormisdallen Primary School (Kamwokya), and Makerere Modern Secondary School (Kikoni). Teams from the Department of Food Technology, and Nutrition engaged learners and teachers on balanced diets, hygiene, and the importance of locally available nutritious foods. Sessions also introduced students to career pathways in food science and nutrition.
Backed by student volunteers from Makerere University Human Nutrition Students’ Association (MUHUNSA) and the Makerere University Food Science and Technology Students’ Association (MUFOSTA), with support from NutriQuest, the Department conducted rapid diagnostics with local food processors in the bakery and dairy sectors. The assessments revealed a range of challenges: short shelf-life, poor fermentation control, packaging and labelling gaps, and documentation issues hindering the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) certification. These findings shaped the training curriculum.
From findings to action: Two-day practical training
The findings directly informed a two-day training held at the SFTNB from 8th– 9th September 2025. Attended by processors from across the cereal/grain and dairy value chains, including Calabash Dairies Ltd; True Uganda Adventures; Kikazi Agri Ltd; Sarah’s Cakes; AWAN Group; Green-door Supplies (U) Ltd; Glory Revolution Ltd; Westlink Delicacy Ltd; Mak-Soya Foods & Bakery; and Aleem Bakery, the workshop delivered practical sessions on:
- Good Manufacturing Practices and hygiene
- Product formulation and optimization
- Packaging, labelling, and UNBS compliance
- Equipment sourcing, waste management, and marketing
- Hands-on processing of yogurt (dairy, soy, millet-based), fruit drying, flour blending, and baking.
Outcomes
The initiative showed that simple, targeted improvements in processing practices can lead to significant benefits including enhanced food safety, improved product quality, and increased market confidence. In the classroom, nutrition education not only deepened students’ knowledge but also sparked interest in careers in food science. From small-scale processors to young learners, the initiative delivered broad, practical impact.
Commitments
Participants left with clear 60-day action plans, including:
- Improved batch documentation (e.g., pH, weights, traceability)
- Label standardization to meet UNBS guidelines
- Shelf-life testing and corrective action planning
- Product innovation (e.g., millet-yogurt blends, fortified flours)
- Follow-up visits with progress checklists and certification support
Remarks by the SFTNB leaders
In his remarks, Prof. Ivan Mukisa Muzira, Head of the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, emphasized the value of academia-industry partnerships and encouraged participants to use the SFTNB’s facilities and expertise. He thanked the technical team – Dr. Robert Mugabi, Dr. Stellah Byakika, and Dr. Richard Bukenya, as well as the student associations that played a key role in delivery.
Dr. Julia Kigozi, Dean of the SFTNB, reaffirmed the School’s commitment to fostering ongoing partnerships and collaboration with food processors. Highlighting the importance of continued engagement, she encouraged all processors to actively utilize the resources and support services provided by the Food Technology Business Incubation Centre (FTBIC). Dr. Kigozi noted that the FTBIC is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and businesses in the food technology sector by offering expert guidance, technical assistance, and opportunities for innovation and growth. In the course of the event, Dr. Kigozi presented certificates of attendance to all the participants, acknowledging their commitment to advancing their skills and knowledge within the food processing industry.
Acknowledgement
On behalf of the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Dr Robert Mugabi expressed gratitude to Prof. Ivan Mukisa Muzira, Dr. Julia Kigozi, the technical leads, the student teams from MUHUNSA and MUFOSTA, NutriQuest, and all participating schools and enterprises for their partnership and engagement.
More photos about the trainings at: https://shorturl.at/FohFj
Compiled by Dr Robert Mugabi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Technology & Nutrition, CAES
Agriculture & Environment
13th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection – October 2026
Agriculture & Environment
Mak Launches Phase II of the RUFS Project to Strengthen Climate Resilience & Food Security in Kasese & Mbale Districts
Following the success of its initial phase, Makerere University has launched Phase II of the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) project, aimed at deepening food security and climate resilience in Kasese Municipality and Mbale City. Funded through the AgriFoSe2030 programme and coordinated by Prof. Frank Mugagga of the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics, and Climatic Sciences at Makerere University, the project continues to address urban food system challenges through inclusive, climate-smart, and community-driven solutions.
Achievements registered under Phase I of the RUFS Project
Phase I of the RUFS Project delivered a range of impactful outcomes aimed at building more inclusive and sustainable urban food systems. The achievements included:
- Formation of smallholder farmer platforms
- RUFS established the Kasese and Mbale City Food Systems Platforms, empowering smallholder farmers to actively shape resilient urban food systems.
- Multi-stakeholder collaboration
- The project facilitated dialogue among farmers, civil society, private sector actors, and local governments to improve coordination and governance.
- Exposure and exchange visits
- Learning exchanges and site visits enabled peer learning, spurred innovation, and encouraged the adoption of best practices across urban and peri-urban farming communities.
- Capacity building for local experts
- The project enhanced the technical and organizational capacities of local professionals, empowering them to lead and sustain resilient food system initiatives.
- Resource commitment from local governments
- Tangible commitments from local leaders demonstrated strong political will to support inclusive urban food systems.
- Recognition of smallholder farmers
- The contributions of smallholder farmers gained greater recognition, acknowledging their essential role in ensuring food security and urban resilience.
- Amplification of local voices
- Community stories, practices, and lessons were documented and shared widely, helping to shape urban food policies from a grassroots perspective.
Goals and focus of Phase II
Phase II of the RUFS project sets out to: 1) Strengthen flood and drought resilience in urban communities through strengthened stakeholder collaboration in Kasese and Mbale, 2) Raise community awareness on climate risks and equip residents with preventive and adaptive skills, 3) Integrate indigenous and local knowledge into policy and planning for more context-relevant decision-making, and 4) Co-develop knowledge with both state and non-state actors to promote inclusive and evidence-based decisions.
To achieve these goals, the project will strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Water and Environment, AidEnvironment, and potentially the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). It will engage a range of expertise, including flood and drought modeling, spatial analytics, economic assessment of loss and damage, and the reconstruction of socio-hydrological histories of river flows to inform current debates. Participatory methods will be central to the project’s approach, including charrettes (with role plays), walkshops and transect walks, participatory community mapping (of resources, actors, and hotspots), peer-to-peer learning, and experiential learning activities. The core team will be expanded to include policy actors, and innovative partnerships will be developed with government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). The project will also explore opportunities for shared use of limited public land for demonstration purposes, and emphasize co-creation of knowledge among all stakeholders.
RUFS Phase II stakeholder engagement in Kasese
The RUFS project team, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, conducted a stakeholder engagement in Kasese from 17th to 20th August 2025. The primary objective of the engagement was to formally introduce the extension phase of the project and to foster in-depth discussions with key stakeholders on strategies aimed at enhancing and strengthening the ongoing operations.
The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the local government, community leaders, implementing partners, and technical experts. Through collaborative dialogue and knowledge sharing, the team sought to align the project goals with community needs and to ensure effective coordination amongst all parties.
The engagement provided a vital platform for stakeholders to offer insights, address challenges, and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions that will drive the success of Phase II of the project.
Highlights from the workshop
Held at Rwenzori International Hotel in Kasese, the two-day workshop featured targeted presentations on enhancing smallholder farmers’ resilience to climate change, effective emergency response mechanisms in the face of climate extremes, and the role of advocacy in advancing community-led climate adaptation strategies.
In their presentation, Mr. Henry Stanley Mbowa (AidEnvironment) and Mr. Muhindo Assanairi Bukanywa (Kasese Agricultural Officer) shared insights on climate-resilient agronomic practices, covering a number of topics including land preparation, crop management, pest control, water conservation, postharvest handling, and market access.
Mr. Kipurah Gideon briefed participants on the role of the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) in emergency response, offering an insightful overview of the organization’s operations within disaster management frameworks. In relation to the RUFS Project, which focuses on enhancing urban resilience and food security, Mr. Kipurah explained how URCS integrates emergency response strategies to mitigate the impact of crises on vulnerable populations.
In his address, Mr. Lhughabwe Wilson, Principal Community Development Officer, Kasese Municipality, emphasized the pivotal role of advocacy in building climate-resilient communities. He noted that effective advocacy enables local stakeholders to influence policy, mobilize resources, and promote sustainable, community-driven solutions, all critical to developing resilient urban food systems in the context of growing climate uncertainties.
Remarks and success stories by the RUFS Champions
During the workshop, RUFS champions alongside several farmers from Kasese Municipality shared their success stories, highlighting the positive impact their initiatives have had on the community. Ms. Eunice Muyama, a Physical Planner from Mbale City and a committed RUFS Champion, emphasized the need to integrate urban farming into wider infrastructure development plans. She highlighted the challenges brought about by rapid urbanization, which continues to consume valuable land and reduce green spaces. “It is vital that we implement innovative planning strategies to make the most of even the smallest plots of land.” To set a practical example, she personally practices urban farming at her home, demonstrating that it is both feasible and beneficial to cultivate crops within city environments.
Mr. Juma Wephukhulu, a dedicated urban farmer in Mbale City credits the support of the RUFS Project for his transformative journey from a small-scale backyard gardener to a prominent agricultural entrepreneur and community mobilizer. In 2012, inspired by the story of a Kenyan woman who turned her backyard garden into a thriving vegetable supply business for Nairobi’s hotels, Juma made a life-changing decision. He resigned from his job of managing a guest house and embarked on a mission to replicate similar success through urban farming. With only 45,000 Ugandan shillings and a family of six in a rented home, his resolve to succeed was unwavering. “I was driven by the idea that wealth and opportunity can be right on your doorstep,” Juma said.
Starting in 2014, Juma laid out a detailed plan to establish a demonstration farm and training centre, supply fresh vegetables to neighbours, sell seedlings and mature plants, produce organic manure, and train local farmers. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, his enterprise thrived, gaining traction through media appearances and community workshops.
A significant turning point came in 2021 when Juma was selected to participate in RUFS activities in Mbale. With the involvement of RUFS, Juma’s farm and leadership abilities gained greater recognition. He was elected Chairperson of the Mbale City Food Systems Platform (MCFS), further amplifying his impact in the region. The project support went beyond training and resources; they sponsored Juma and his colleague Mary to attend the prestigious Harvest Money Expo in Kololo, providing funds for food, transport, accommodation, and allowances. The project also facilitated media documentation of Juma’s success story through NBS and Salt TV, helping share his inspiring journey widely.
With RUFS assistance, Juma and his team registered their platform as a Community-Based Organization (CBO) in August 2022, gaining official recognition and access to wider partnerships. He recently completed a book chronicling his farming experiences, supported by RUFS, to inspire and educate others. “The RUFS Project has been instrumental in my growth, not just financially but in exposure, training, and networking. Their support has enabled me to dream bigger, including plans to establish a 10-acre incubator farm integrating crops, fish farming, poultry, and more,” he narrated.
Ms. Eunice Mutooro Sunday, an urban farmer in Kasese and lead smallholder on the RUFS Project, has become a passionate advocate for urban and kitchen farming in her district. Through her active participation in the RUFS Project, Ms. Mutooro gained invaluable exposure to innovative urban farming models and acquired advanced agricultural techniques that have significantly enhanced her farming practices. This experience not only deepened her knowledge but also ignited a strong passion to empower others around her. As a respected leader within her local church, she leverages her influential position to mobilize community members and champion sustainable agricultural practices. She has become the primary ambassador of the RUFS initiative in her congregation, where she leads training sessions focused on kitchen gardening and sanitation. To foster enthusiasm and engagement, she introduced friendly competitions among households, encouraging them to cultivate and consume a minimum of three different types of vegetables from their own gardens. This innovative approach has successfully motivated many families to embrace home-grown produce as part of their daily diet. Through her tireless efforts, she encourages everyone to become proactive agents of change.
Mr. Edrick Bwambale, a smallholder farmer based in Kasese Municipality explained how the RUFS Project inspired him to mobilise fellow youth to establish an organization focused on promoting sustainable agri-food systems. The organization, known as ‘Sustainable Agri-Food Initiative (SAFI)’, is now working to address key challenges in food systems within Kasese District.
Remarks by the district officials
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Mayor of Kasese Municipality, Mr. Mapungo Rabson, together with the Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. Kambasu Zedekiah Kayiri, expressed appreciation for the RUFS project. They commended its forward-thinking and strategic approach in addressing the complex challenges facing the district, particularly those arising from rapid urbanization. Both officials emphasized that initiatives like RUFS are essential for promoting sustainable development, enhancing food security, and building the resilience of urban communities amidst increasing environmental and socio-economic pressures. The Deputy Mayor emphasized the need for a sustainability plan to ensure that the benefits of such initiatives are maintained and enhanced over time.
Assessment of the progress of RUFS Phase II
At the end of the workshop, the RUFS team conducted site visits to assess the progress of Phase I initiatives. One such visit was to Mobuku II Cooperative Society, a farmer group established during Phase I that now includes 385 members, many of them women and youth. The cooperative has successfully secured fair contract farming deals, embraced agribusiness, and adopted climate-smart practices.
During the visit, in-depth discussions were held with cooperative leaders to identify opportunities for RUFS to continue strengthening support for smallholder farmers in Kasese. The dialogue focused on scaling sustainable farming techniques, improving market access, and enhancing the cooperative’s capacity to build resilience against climate-related challenges.
Way forward to ensure sustainability of the RUFS Project
Participants proposed that the municipality allocates land for community demonstration projects. Moving forward, Phase II of the project will focus on establishing and developing local demonstration sites. These sites will serve as key platforms to showcase tangible progress, innovative approaches, and best practices to stakeholders and the broader community. This strategy aims to encourage greater engagement, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote the replication of successful models, thereby ensuring scalability and sustainability of the RUFS Project.
The project team held a similar engagement in Mbale City from 24th-27th August 2025.
Pictorial of the RUFS Project stakeholder engagement in Kasese Municipality –
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XM64I-bKTvGb-uN_w9jIxaAuOWJwFSZX?usp=sharing
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