Agriculture & Environment
Mak Commissions Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Puree Processing Unit
Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), represented by Dr. Richard Miiro, from the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies on 6th April 2022 commissioned an Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Puree Processing Unit at Lishe Products Limited in Kasangati, Wakiso District. With support from BioInnovate Africa Programme Phase II Initiative, the College received funding for a project titled: OFSP Puree for Bakery Applications in East Africa for Nutrition, Post-harvest Loss Management, and Youth & Women Economic Empowerment, to work with a private sector entity to operationalize a processing unit that makes bakery and fried foods ingredient from Vitamin A rich OFSP. Lishe Products Limited was the private sector partner selected to host the processing unit after competitive scrutiny, although Makerere University takes responsibility for the technical assistance, research and training components in the project. Partner companies/institutions included: Euro Ingredients Kenya – PI; International Potato Centre Kenya – Co-PI, Hawassa University Ethiopia, Makerere University Uganda, and Women’s Bakery – Rwanda.
The OFSP Puree project started in 2018 and ended on 30th March 2022. The overall goal of the project was to contribute to improved nutrition and incomes in Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya (consortium countries) through a profitable and vibrant OFSP-based food value chain, and to promote the commercialization of Orange-fleshed Sweet potato (OFSP) puree products through demand creation, value addition and processing in baked and fried bakery products.
Specific objectives included:
- Increasing the productivity and production of OFSP among smallholder farmers linked to the processing activities in select regions of consortium countries
- Establishing OFSP puree processing factories in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia
- Developing market chains for OFSP-puree based bakery food products in consortium countries
- Piloting shelf-stable (12-24 months) OFSP puree for use in bakeries, culinary (coffee shops, hotels and restaurants) and ready to eat food formulations in Kenya using hot fill thermal processing technology
In his remarks, Dr. Richard Miiro, the Country Project Team Leader appreciated BioInnovate Africa for funding the project. He expressed gratitude to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and the entire CAES leadership for trusting them with the project, and Lishe and other partners for the job well done during the project implementation process. According to Dr. Miiro, the main aim of the OFSP project was to promote commercialization of the Orange fleshed potatoes developed by Ugandan scientists as well as establishing a Puree processing factory. OFSP Puree is a solution to Bakery Applications in East Africa: For Nutrition, Post-harvest loss management and youth & women Economic Empowerment. “Sweet Potato Puree is an ingredient used in chapatti, bread, cakes and can be used in juice making to reduce the cost of production and enhance quality,” he said.
The Chief Guest, His Worship Muwonge Tom, Mayor Kasangati Town Council congratulated Makerere University, partners and Lishe Products Limited upon the achievement. He appreciated BioInnovate Africa and Makerere University for considering them and promised to team up with residents in the bakery business to promote puree.
The Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences was represented by Dr. Okello Ongom, Director Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) who extended appreciation to BioInnovate Africa for funding the research initiative, and the Puree project team for the innovation. He also acknowledged the contribution of the project team towards transforming Makerere into a research-led University as per the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan.
In her remarks, Ms. Sonia Mwandime, Director Lishe Products Limited thanked BioInnovate Africa and Makerere University for giving her the opportunity to host the Processing Unit at her business premises. “Without the support of Makerere University, we wouldn’t get this,” she said. In collaboration with Makerere University, Lishe Products Limited produces 250kgs of puree. Puree is a gluten-free product used in Chapati, bread, porridge, food, juice and fried products. You do not have to add sugar since the potatoes are already sweet. 700 grams of puree when added to 1 kg of wheat flour can yield 45 chapati as compared to 35 chapati got without adding puree.
Mr. Kabagambe Stephen from Uganda Chamber of Commerce applauded Makerere University for championing business incubation in the country. “Puree innovation is in line with the current government priority programmes under the National Development Plan (NDP III) and its associated with the Parish Development Model,” he noted. According to Mr. Kabagambe, prices of wheat are already high and with these substitutes, it will not only increase production but also address the market challenges. He cited the health benefits of puree and the need for Uganda Chamber of Commerce together with quality assurance bodies to assist such business initiatives to grow.
Mr. Antonio Magnagi, Jonisa Bakery noted that there are significant improvements in bakery products when mixed with puree. “Puree changes the physical appearance of Bakery products & increases profits. It increases profit margins compared to the products baked without puree.” Mr. Magnagi commended Makerere University for the partnerships geared towards improving livelihoods.
According to Mr. Kwikiriza Norman, CIP Nairobi, Puree is a good substitute for wheat, promotes food security, and nutritious with Vitamin A.
Phases of project Implementation
Phase 1: Developing a commercially viable prototype. EIL (Euro Ingredient Limited) has OFSP puree products prototypes and equipment designs ready to be piloted in East Africa
Phase 2: Preparatory period. EIL will work in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda with partners to identify key OFSP puree products for their markets. EIL will work on equipment, factory design, and food product development. CIP and university partners will conduct consumer acceptance and willingness to pay, as well as gender and nutrition impact studies.
Phase 3: Start-up period. The puree factories will be established in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda by OFSP farmers engaged in CIP projects and start producing OFSP varieties. OFSP puree bakery products will be launched and promoted in consortium countries for rapid uptake.
Phase 4: Shelf-Stable OFSP puree trials in Kenya: In Kenya, the OFSP puree bread value chain has been successfully operating over the past three years with the involvement of CIP, Organi Limited, Euro-Ingredients, and Tuskys supermarkets. An OFSP puree processor in Homa Bay county (Organi Limited) makes puree and supplies frozen puree to Tuskys and Naivas Supermarket bakeries in Nairobi.
OFSP Puree Project Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of the project are to be mostly OFSP smallholder women farmers (15,000 targeted) in consortium countries, since most of the sweet potato production is carried out by women. They, and their families will benefit in the following ways:
- OFSP women smallholder farmers in consortium countries will directly benefit through creation of markets for the OFSP fresh roots and hence income.
- Smallholder farmers’ post-harvest losses from OFSP will be significantly reduced because of increased marketing opportunities from OFSP puree processors.
- Youths and women in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania will be economically empowered.
- Street vendors, informal bakers, rural bakeries, food outlets, restaurants will have access to a shelf-stable, nutritious, affordable and versatile ingredient and a steady income for their families.
- In addition, indirect beneficiaries will be the urban and rural consumers who will have access to nutritious and healthier bakery products compared.
OFSP Puree Project Key Outputs
- Over the project period the key output has been producing OFSP puree at pilot level starting the month of September 2021.
- Prior to this, a pilot survey of “Consumer and market survey of bakery ingredients, products and fried foods in Kampala was carried out.
- Staff at Lishe received training on business readiness and they developed a business model canvas.
- A business acceleration coaching has also been provided by Growth Africa to staff of Lishe products Ltd.
- Conducted a laboratory study to determine the best way to preserve OFSP Puree using chemical preservatives
- Worked out a procedure for industrial scale application of preservatives into OFSP puree.
- Initiated on HACCP training for Lishe Staff
- Initiated and have guidance from UNBS in the process of getting the Q mark
Agriculture & Environment
Mak Unveils Key Findings on Urban Development Challenges in Kampala, Proposes Reforms for Improvement
Makerere University has released a comprehensive report detailing the key challenges affecting urban development in Kampala, one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. With an annual population growth rate of 5.6%, Kampala faces significant pressure on its infrastructure and urban systems. The report, part of the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) program, aims to provide actionable insights to improve the living conditions and urban services for all residents, especially marginalized communities.
Launched by Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, the Minister of State for Urban Development, on 13th February 2025, the report explores the political, social, and infrastructural dynamics that have shaped urban development in Kampala. The analysis covers critical domains, including informal settlements, youth and capability development, land and connectivity, and health, wellbeing, and nutrition.
A Holistic Approach to Kampala’s Urban Challenges
The findings are based on extensive research by Makerere University‘s Urban Action Lab, with contributions from scholars, practitioners, and experts both local and international. The report identifies the most pressing challenges facing the city, particularly for its disadvantaged communities, and provides a framework for addressing these issues in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. Key contributors to the research include: Dr. Paul Isolo Mukwaya, lead author and Head, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences at Makerere University; Ms. Judith Mbabazi, Researcher, Urban Action Lab, Makerere University; Prof. Henrik Ernstson, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, The University of Manchester, UK; Dr. Peter Kasaija, Dr. Daniel Ochieng Ologe, Dr. Ritah Nakanjako, and Dr. Kareem Buyana, Researchers, Urban Action Lab, Makerere University; Ms. Hasifa Namuli, Wakiso Town Council Planner; Dr. Gloria Seruwagi, School of Public Health, Makerere University; Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga, and Patricia Liola Tona Katto, Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre; Dr. Henry Bazira, Ms. Maria Ssematiko, Dr. Eria Serwajja, Mr. Muhamed Lunyago, and Dr. Doreen Kobusingye.
Key Findings
- Infrastructure Deficits: The city is struggling with significant deficits in infrastructure and service provision, which are further exacerbated by rapid population growth.
- Governance Challenges: Multiple actors, including the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the central government, often fail to coordinate effectively on service delivery. This lack of coordination leads to inefficiencies and contestations within city systems.
- Inequality in Service Delivery: Informal settlements are disproportionately affected by poor service delivery, including inefficient transport, inadequate electricity distribution, and insecure neighbourhoods.
- Privatization and Market-Driven Approaches: Privatization of services has led to a fragmented system, where gaps in service delivery are filled by private actors, resulting in unreliable and inaccessible services for many, particularly in informal settlements.
- Mistrust and Governance Issues: Political struggles, corruption, and ineffective governance slow down reform efforts and hinder sustained investment in key urban sectors.
- Political Elites and Informality: The influence of political and business elites operating informally impacts critical decisions on urban development, particularly regarding land, infrastructure, and public services.
- Health and Nutrition Gaps: Despite abundant food, low incomes and poor nutrition knowledge contribute to poor health outcomes. A more informed and accessible approach to nutrition is needed.
- Youth and Vulnerability: Kampala’s youth, who represent 46% of the population, are underserved by policies and face high rates of teenage pregnancies and drug abuse, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
- Land Market Exploitation: Land brokers take advantage of information gaps in the land market, complicating efforts to address housing and land tenure issues.
- Informal Settlements and Political Capital: Informal settlements in Kampala are becoming significant for economic rents and political leverage, which further complicates efforts to address urban challenges.
Proposed Reforms
The report suggests several priority reforms to improve Kampala’s urban development, including:
- Upgrading Informal Settlements: Addressing poor housing conditions and infrastructure in informal settlements.
- Proper Land Registration: Enhancing land tenure security through improved registration systems.
- Waste Management and Public Health: Implementing sustainable waste management systems and promoting healthy diets through public health campaigns.
- Youth Skills Development: Creating apprenticeship programs, vocational training, and life-skills initiatives for youth.
- Improving State Capabilities: Strengthening the capacity of local and central governments to manage urban challenges, with a focus on financing, human resource development, and forging productive partnerships with non-state actors.
- The authors stress the importance of community participation in governance and propose that economists, urban researchers, and other stakeholders provide urban policy advice without being seen as political opposition.
- Other proposed initiatives include: i) the Kawenja Plastic Waste Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub aims to improve a slum upgrading project in Kisenyi III, focusing on flood control and livelihood enhancement. It will create a network of plastic waste collectors, conduct a situation analysis, and collaborate with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and other agencies. The initiative will involve procuring and installing equipment to formalize recycling efforts. ii) Improved Hygiene and Sanitation at Ggaba Market: To address hygiene and sanitation challenges faced by food vendors, the report proposes the installation of a sludge transfer tank and a three-wheeler vehicle at Ggaba Market. This intervention aims to enhance sanitation standards and create a healthier environment for both vendors and customers.
Remarks from Key Stakeholders
The meeting was attended by representatives from government and non-government organizations, as well as leaders from the Kampala Capital City Authority, who shared insights into the city’s development challenges and proposed several reforms for improvement.
Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, Minister of State for Urban Development
In his address, Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, Minister of State for Urban Development encouraged city leaders to view Kampala’s challenges as opportunities for growth. He highlighted the city’s potential to generate revenue for Uganda and emphasized the need for systemic improvements in service delivery. The Minister commended the researchers and committed to supporting the implementation of their recommendations. “Research should be viewed as a tool for solving issues, not just lamenting over them. Our leaders need to recognize Kampala as an integral part of Uganda’s governance due to its vital role in the country’s development. We must prioritize making Kampala thrive, as it is the central hub for commercial activity. City planning should accommodate and support informal trade effectively. Moving forward, we must focus on reducing youth unemployment through life-skills programs. Additionally, there is an urgent need to improve waste management, enhance financial literacy, and better regulate refugee affairs.”
The Lord Mayor of Kampala
Briefing participants on the city development challenges, the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago expressed concern over the growing political interference and the lack of funding for planned activities. “On several occasions, we have struggled to address issues of physical planning, yet Kampala still lacks a structural plan. The Directorate of Physical Planning at KCCA is the least funded. While Kampala boasts of the best natural environment, its built environment is among the worst. There is a pressing need to transform the city’s vast slums into the ‘Garden City of Africa’.” He expressed gratitude to ACRC for the report, noting that its findings would be crucial in guiding the implementation of reforms in the City.
Vice Chancellor’s address
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, represented by Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, expressed appreciation to the ACRC research team for dedicating their time and resources to investigate the challenges hindering progress in the city. “As Vice Chancellor, I acknowledge the significant role our university plays in shaping the future of Kampala and Uganda. Our mission to foster innovation, research, and education must address the challenges of urban development, enabling us to create sustainable solutions for growth. A key issue is the growing demand for housing, driven by Kampala’s rapid population growth. However, the supply of affordable, quality housing has not kept up, resulting in overcrowded slums and poor living conditions. As an academic institution, we are well-placed to contribute by researching affordable building technologies, promoting sustainable urban planning, and collaborating with policymakers to ensure equitable housing for all.”
Commenting on the challenges posed by the city’s population growth, the Vice Chancellor pointed out the inadequacies in transport infrastructure and waste management. He stressed the importance of collaborating with researchers to develop alternative transportation models, smart mobility solutions, and urban planning that prioritizes walkability while reducing reliance on private cars. Additionally, he highlighted the need for further research into waste-to-energy technologies, the creation of sustainable waste management systems, and the promotion of environmentally responsible practices.
“As Kampala expands, we must also consider the preservation of its natural environment. Green spaces, parks, and urban forests are essential for the well-being of the city’s inhabitants. They provide recreational areas, improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the city,” he explained.
Mr. Joseph Walter Pade, the Commissioner, Urban Development at the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, emphasized the need to involve the entire country in addressing the challenges facing Kampala. He also highlighted the importance of changing mindsets to tackle the city’s development issues.
The Dean of the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Dr. Revocatus Twinomuhangi, commended the research team for the excellent work and called for the wider dissemination of the findings to maximize their impact.
Agriculture & Environment
Mak, CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform drive equitable & inclusive agricultural development through enhanced gender & agriculture curricula
****In this blog, we share about efforts to enhance the gender and agriculture curriculum as an avenue to drive equitable and inclusive agricultural development. This work was done through a partnership between the Makerere University and the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform.
Overview
Gender equality is a key pillar to achieving sustainable development goals. However, in agrifood systems, achieving these goals has been a challenge because of the complex social and gender relations that govern most communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Although agriculture remains the backbone of many economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing livelihoods for a significant proportion of the population, gender inequalities are prevalent in this sector. For example, several gender-based constraints contribute to gender yield gaps. In addition, despite their immense contributions, women often face systemic barriers in agriculture as a result of social norms, which limit their access to and control over productive resources, decision-making processes, and agricultural extension services.
These disparities not only undermine gender equality but also constrain agricultural productivity, food security, and rural development. Addressing challenges such as these requires an understanding of the intersection between gender and agricultural development, which can inform policies and programming in the sector. One avenue to understanding and tackling these complex issues is through equipping professionals in agricultural-related fields with the necessary skills and knowledge through relevant curricula in institutions of higher learning.
University curricula as a pathway to tackle gender in agriculture-related issues
In a move to contribute to addressing the gap in gender-related knowledge and skills among agricultural professionals, the Gender-responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT) Phase 3 initiative – a collaboration between Makerere and the CGIAR GENDER Platform – fortified the existing gender and agriculture curricula at Makerere University that was last updated more than 10 years ago. The course materials were revamped to align with changing needs and the latest knowledge and best practices in gender and agrifood systems. Graduates of these programs are to be equipped to handle the challenges in the world of work in gender and agriculture. The same initiative also supported the development of two innovative postgraduate programs in gender and agriculture at Makerere University– a Masters and a Post Graduate Diploma, due to be launched soon. These aim to provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research, and services responsive to dynamic national and global needs.
A consultative approach to gender and agriculture curriculum development
Recognizing the need for collaborative curriculum design, Makerere University conducted physical and online stakeholder consultations in the last quarter of 2024. The physical workshop held in Kampala, Uganda, was attended by a diverse group of experts in gender, agriculture, monitoring and evaluation, and university management, among others. The online survey, targeting a diverse audience of experts in gender and agriculture globally, attracted over 70 respondents from 22 countries across five regions – Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. The experts (mainly in gender studies, rural development, and agricultural economics) were from academia, national agricultural institutes, CGIAR centers, NGOs, and international organizations. The purpose of the consultation was to gather respondents’ perceptions about the relevance of the post-graduate programs, key competencies students should have upon completion of the programs, priority topics, and any existing materials they believed would be beneficial to adapt or incorporate into this curriculum, among other things.
Priority topics suggested by stakeholders include: gender concepts and why gender matters in agriculture, gender and climate change, inter-sectionality, gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation, women’s empowerment, gender transformative approaches, gender-responsive research design, data collection, analysis and reporting, and gender and seed systems. These are some of the topics that have been integrated into the curricula. They are also part of the improved existing undergraduate and graduate programs shared as open-access materials to allow other teachers and teaching institutes across the globe to draw on these efforts for their own courses.
Longer-term postgraduate programs Vs short- term courses
The post-graduate programs draw inspiration from the GREAT program, which was instrumental in training over 360 agricultural researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia since 2015. Lessons from GREAT revealed the need for longer and more extensive academic offerings to develop professionals who can lead transformative change in the sector. In line with this, the majority of the consulted stakeholders (87 percent) rated the postgraduate programs as very important as opposed to short-term courses. They emphasized the need for longer-term educational initiatives to deepen theoretical understanding and practical application. This would help to create a pool of experts/ gender-responsive professionals capable of advocating for equity at every level of the agrifood system, filling the gaps in capacity that short-term training programs do not usually address.
Proposed structure and next steps
The programs will adopt an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from agriculture, gender studies, sociology, and rural development. Stakeholders also proposed that the programs leverage existing resources, such as CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform materials and evidence explainers, and FAO resources on gender and agriculture, while ensuring continuous evaluation and updates to remain relevant to evolving needs. Partner universities in Uganda that are developing similar programs include: Mountains of the Moon University in Western Uganda, University of the Sacred Heart Gulu, and Muni University in Northern Uganda.
With revamped training materials and these new academic programs on gender and agriculture, Makerere University contributes to higher education that can drive systemic change in agriculture. These programs will empower change-makers who will shape the future of agriculture into one that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Resources:
Report: Online Consultation on new programs in Gender and agriculture, October 2024
Report: Consultative Workshop on new programs in Gender and agriculture, September 2024.
Revised Gender and Agriculture Course materials: https://muele.mak.ac.ug/course/view.php?id=11805
By Elizabeth Asiimwe, Losira Nasirumbi Sanya, and Marlène Elias.
For more information, please contact:
Florence Birungi Kyazze, PhD
Senior Lecturer and GREAT Project P.I
Department of Extension and Innovation Studies
Email: fbirungikyazze@gmail.com
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