Agriculture & Environment
CAES Stakeholder Engagement on Challenges Affecting the Seed Value Chain in the Horticulture Industry in Uganda
Published
3 years agoon

68% of Uganda’s farming households are engaged in subsistence rain-fed agriculture that relies largely on home-saved seed of low quality resulting into low production. Farmers’ reliance on home-saved seed is caused by insufficient availability of affordable high quality seed and lack of trust in the certified seed available in the market. Certified seed contributes only about 15% of seed requirement (mainly maize, some legumes). The remaining 85% is from the informal sector. Due to the inability of seed companies to supply required quantities of certified seed and the limited capacity in the regulatory system, an estimated 30-40% of seed traded in the market is counterfeit.

In a bid to increase access to quality seed in the Horticulture Industry in Uganda, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University through the Innovation Scholars Program (ISP) is engaging different stakeholders in the country to address the challenges in seed quality. Through a project titled, “Engaging Stakeholders and Policy to Address Challenges in Seed Quality in the Horticulture Industry of Uganda: A Case of Tomato and Pepper”, researchers led by Dr. Jeninah Karungi-Tumutegyereize, an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Production at CAES, Makerere University seek to enhance the quantity and quality of horticultural crops produce, and to strategically position CAES in agricultural development in the country. Other members on the project are; Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, and Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula from the Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University; Dr. Gabriel Ddamulira (Head, Horticulture Programme, National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI); Mr. Moses Erongu from the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; and Mr. Daniel Kituzi, a farmer and entrepreneur. The project is supported by USAID and Michigan State University’s Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD).

Stakeholder engagement
On 13th July 2022, the project team held a stakeholders’ workshop to deliberate on the challenges in the seed value chain in the horticulture industry in Uganda and to explore avenues for supporting the operationalization of the National Seed Policy. The meeting held at Eureka Place Hotel in Ntinda, Kampala was attended by staff from the Department of Agricultural Production, CAES; representatives from MAAIF, NARO, and seed companies; as well as farmers and exporters.

Challenges affecting the seed value chain in the horticulture industry in Uganda
During the stakeholder engagement, Dr. Karungi shared an overview of their project pointing out key factors undermining access to quality seed in Uganda’s Horticulture Industry including; limited funding; lack of qualified manpower especially breeders, seed technologists and agronomists to develop, maintain private varieties and parental germplasm; and a weak policy framework to support quality control. “Uganda has made strides in developing an institutional policy and regulatory framework for the seed subsector. However, implementation and enforcement remain a challenge due to inadequate human and financial resources leading to limited enforcement of seed quality standards. Institutional and policy weaknesses limit the development of a competitive, vibrant and pluralistic seed sector in Uganda,” she noted.

Commenting on the Parish Development Model which emphasizes increase in agricultural production, Dr. Fredrick Bagamba from the Innovation Scholars Program (ISP) at CAES underscored the significance of improving access to quality seed, noting that ISP was supporting the process by ensuring end users are involved right from problem identification.
Interventions
Addressing participants, the Head of the Horticulture Programme at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)), Dr. Gabriel Ddamulira noted that as part of the interventions to address the challenge of lack of access to quality seed, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in 2021 released certified vegetable varieties from Uganda. “In crop production, the most fundamental factor is seed. However, access to quality seed is still low. Increasing access to quality seed requires enabling policies, research, private sector engagement & regulation,” he explained.

Discussing the legal aspects of seed entrepreneurship and distribution, Mr. Moses Erongu from the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), cautioned farmers against buying seed of unknown quality. He urged seed dealers to report issues of counterfeit seed to agricultural extension officers, police or MAAIF, and to always consult with extension service providers before buying seed. To address the challenge of seed quality, Mr. Erongu said MAAIF was renovating and expanding the seed testing laboratory at Kawanda to provide better services. He further noted that MAAIF was developing a digital tracking system to monitor the quality of seed.

Brainstorming on strategies to support the operationalisation the National Seed Policy
The overall goal of the National Seed Policy is to guide, promote, develop and regulate the seed sub-sector in order to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of safe and high quality seed to all stakeholders for increased food and nutrition security, household income, wealth creation and higher export earnings. The policy sets out to; i) strengthen research and development for the seed sector; ii) strengthen capacity of the key players along the seed value chain to achieve an effective and efficient seed sector; iii) strengthen the seed quality control system along the entire value chain; and to enhance knowledge and information management for the seed sector. Policy priority areas include; i) generating new commercial and food and nutrition security varieties; ii) sustainable utilisation and protection of Uganda’s national plant genetic resources; iii) multiplication of high quality seed under the formal seed system; iv) enhancement of the production of quality seed within the informal system; v) strengthening seed distribution and marketing to enhance commercialization of quality seed; vi) enhancement of national competitiveness in regional and international seed trade to contribute to economic growth; vii) quality control along the formal seed value chain; viii) quality control for Quality Declared Seed; ix) development of human resource for the seed sub-sector development; and x) and establishment of a Seed Sector Integrated Information Management System.

Suggestions by participants
Braining on measures to support the operationalization of the National Seed Policy, participants called for the development of a national horticulture policy and improved investment into the horticulture seed industry – availing resources to support the breeding of seed varieties. They also called for skilling of farmers in good agronomy practices, strengthened regulation of the seed industry, more research on the sector, identification and development of seed varieties for commercially viable crops, financial subsides to the seed companies, insurance to manage the challenge of seed forecast, protection of local seed industries from competition; strong penalty for companies dealing in counterfeit seed, enhancement of capacity of extension workers and inspectors, and empowerment of institutions of higher learning to train manpower to support the seed system in the country.

The workshop was moderated by Ms. Harriet Adong, Director Communication, Learning and Knowledge Management at RAN, also Communication Officer at Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
About the CAES Innovation Scholars Program
Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and Michigan State University’s Borlaug Higher Education for Agriculture Research and Development (BHEARD) Program with the support of the MSU’s Global Centre for Food Systems Innovation (GCFSI) are working together to advance CAES toward its strategic vision “to be a leading institution of academic excellence and innovations in Africa.” The CAES Innovation Scholars Program (CAESISP), offers an eighteen-month opportunity during which CAES academic personnel can work as interdisciplinary teams to solve food system problems that are relevant to the food systems in Africa, while at the same time offering support to the entire CAES academic team in the areas of design thinking, teaching and learning, community outreach, and communicating science.

The CAESISP serves as a catalyst to support food system innovations that improve food security, and develop the current and next generation of entrepreneurial scientists at Makerere University and in the region. The program is modelled after a successful, field-tested faculty development program implemented at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) and the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) —yet tailored for innovation and contextual challenges at Makerere University. The core values of the CAESISP include: participatory, asset-based, learner-centered, contextualized, and evaluative.
Access the National Seed Policy here: https://www.agriculture.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ministry-of-Agriculture-Animal-Industry-and-Fisheries-National-Seed-Policy.pdf
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Agriculture & Environment
Mak Launches Phase II of the RUFS Project to Strengthen Climate Resilience & Food Security in Kasese & Mbale Districts
Published
4 days agoon
August 27, 2025
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
Agriculture & Environment
Combating Child Malnutrition in the Face of Climate Change: Mak’s Healthy Soy Initiative Offers Hope
Published
1 week agoon
August 22, 2025
*****Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, the Healthy Soy Project seeks to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions. The Project inception meeting was held on 15th August 2025 at CAES, Makerere University.
Overview
Child malnutrition remains one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 148 million children under the age of five were affected by stunting in 2023, a condition caused by chronic under-nutrition that impairs both physical and cognitive development. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, but climate change, rising food insecurity, and deepening inequality are making this goal increasingly difficult to achieve.

Expert reports indicate that as the global climate crisis accelerates, its ripple effects are being felt most acutely in the Global South. Prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and frequent natural disasters are reducing crop yields, diminishing nutrient density in food, and driving up food prices. For smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of food production in many developing countries, these changes are devastating. Without the resources to invest in irrigation or climate-adaptive technologies, they are hit hardest by agricultural losses.
The burden of climate-induced food insecurity and malnutrition is not shared equally. Children are particularly vulnerable, as their growth demands a consistent intake of high-quality nutrients. Women, meanwhile, are doubly impacted. They are often both food producers and the primary caregivers responsible for child nutrition. These gendered and generational inequalities are deepening as food systems falter under environmental stress.

Stunting and the Need for High-Quality Protein
Stunting in children is one of the most visible forms of malnutrition. Once it occurs, reversing it is challenging, though not impossible. For children affected by stunting to catch up in growth, their diets must include high-quality proteins, which are essential for muscle and tissue development.
Animal-source foods such as milk, eggs, and meat provide proteins with the highest biological value. However, in low-income settings, these foods are often prohibitively expensive or unavailable. Soybeans offer a promising alternative – they are a plant-based source of relatively high-quality protein, widely grown and consumed in many parts of the world. However, soy is not without limitations. Its protein bioavailability can be reduced by natural compounds known as anti-nutrients, which inhibit digestion and absorption.

The Healthy Soy Project: A Science-Based Solution for Sustainable Nutrition
In response to this challenge, Makerere University, in collaboration with partners and with funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has launched an innovative research project titled Climate-resilient soybean for improved growth and health of children in Uganda (Healthy Soy). This multi-year project seeks to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions. The University of Copenhagen, Denmark is leading the project, with Makerere University and RECO Industries Limited as partners. The overall PI of the Project is Prof. Benedikte Grenov from the University of Copenhagen. At Makerere University, the project is coordinated by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa. Other project members include Assoc. Prof. Nanna Roos and Prof. Inge Tetens from the University of Copenhagen; Assoc. Prof. Dorothy Nakimbugwe and Assoc. Prof. Ezekiel Mupere from Makerere University; Mr. Alex Kisembo from RECO Industries Limited; and Prof. Daniel Tomé from Université Paris-Saclay, France.

The Healthy Soy project is structured around four key work packages
WP1 – Selecting Climate-Resilient, Nutrient-Rich Soybean Varieties
Researchers will identify and develop soybean strains that are both resilient to climate stressors and contain high levels of protein with reduced anti-nutrient content, making them more suitable for vulnerable populations.
WP2 – Enhancing Protein Bioavailability through Food Processing
Advanced food processing technologies will be employed to reduce anti-nutrient levels and improve the bioavailability of soy protein. The project will also evaluate how effectively soy protein supports catch-up growth in children affected by stunting.

WP3 – Developing Local Soy-Based Food Supplements
Working closely with local communities and food producers, the project will design and test new soy-based supplements tailored to local dietary habits. These products will be tested for their impact on child health and growth.
WP4 – Building Local Research Capacity and Sharing Knowledge
Capacity-building is a core element of Healthy Soy. The project will invest in training Ugandan researchers, strengthening local institutions, and disseminating findings to farmers, policymakers, health professionals, and other stakeholders across the region. At Makerere University, the project is supporting 3 PhD fellows namely: Ms. Nashim Nassanga from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Mr. Amos Asiimwe from the Department of Food Technology and nutrition, and Ms. Prudence Ainomugisha from the College of Health Sciences. Ms. Nassanga will focus on identifying climate-smart soybean breeding lines for adaptability and farmers’ acceptability under severe climate conditions in Eastern, Northern, and Western Uganda; Mr. Asiimwe will develop soybean processing protocols to reduce anti-nutrients, improve soy protein bioavailability, and estimate its potential to support catch-up growth in children with stunting; and Prudence Ainomugisha will examine the effects of locally produced soy-based LNS on the growth and health of children with stunting.

The Healthy Soy Project Inception Meeting
On 15th August 2025, the project team held an inception meeting to discuss strategies for its implementation. The session brought together representatives from all partner institutions who shared a detailed overview of their respective roles, and expected contributions to the initiative. The discussions focused on aligning stakeholder roles, clarifying project objectives, and ensuring a coordinated approach to execution.
During the meeting, Prof. Benedikte Grenov, the Principal Investigator, delivered a comprehensive overview of the project. She emphasized the collaborative nature of the project and highlighted the importance of each stakeholder’s role in achieving the intended outcomes. Her presentation set the stage for subsequent contributions from each partner institution, outlining their respective roles and planned activities within the project.

Dr Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula, Prof. John Muyonga, and Dr Robert Mugabi from Makerere University Departments of Crop Science and Horticulture, and Food Technology and Nutrition respectively, briefed the team on their (Departments’) role in the soybean value chain, while Dr Ephraim Nuwamanya from the Makerere University Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID) shared insights into their ongoing research activities, particularly focused on developing climate-resilient soybean varieties and how these efforts align with the goals of the Healthy Soy Project. The meeting also featured a presentation on the activities of the Child Health Development Centre (CHDC) and its role in the project. Based within the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University, the CHDC will support the training of a full-time PhD fellow who will coordinate and implement a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) involving 300 children affected by stunting.
The representative from RECO Industries Limited, Mr. Alex Kisembo shared their experience in soybean processing and outlined their planned contribution to the project’s product development streams. Additionally, the integration of the Healthy Soy initiative into the national nutrition programming was discussed, with an emphasis on aligning it with priority areas within the health sector. The roles of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) were also presented, particularly focusing on their support for soybean development through policy formulation, quality assurance, and regulatory processes, as well as their planned contributions to the project’s implementation.

Prof. Charles Masembe briefed participants on the reporting and accountability procedures of the Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).
The meeting was moderated by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa and Dr Jenipher Bisikwa from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University.





Link to project inception meeting pictorial:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oTo8rhX89Nt1uXy3W0vVRUWkz5vi8WGg?usp=sharing
Agriculture & Environment
CAES Freshers Urged to Embrace University Life with Purpose and Focus
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 15, 2025
First Year students admitted to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University have been cautioned to approach University life with clear purpose and focus.
Speaking at the College orientation on 7th August 2025, CAES Principal, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga urged the students to set goals from the start of their academic journey and to work diligently to achieve them. “University life offers tremendous opportunities, but it also comes with freedoms that can easily lead you off course,” she warned. “Set your academic and personal goals early – understand why you are here, what you want to accomplish, and how you intend to achieve it.”
She encouraged the students to take full advantage of the academic resources, mentorship programmes, and practical training opportunities offered by the College, while also warning them about the distractions that often derail student focus. “Social life is part of the experience, but never let it overshadow your purpose.”

Prof. Nabanoga highlighted the college’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in agriculture, environmental sciences, food technology, and related disciplines. “You join CAES at a critical time when global challenges like climate change, food security, and sustainability demand your innovation and passion. At CAES, we are committed to empowering our students to become job creators and leaders in the agricultural sector.”
The event featured addresses from other key college and University administrators, academic leaders, and representatives from the student guild, who all echoed the importance of intentionality, discipline, and resilience throughout the university journey.

In his remarks, the Deputy Principal of the College, Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze welcomed the First Year students, commending them for joining a College committed to academic excellence and societal impact. “You are fortunate to be part of a college that has carefully designed its academic programmes to align with real-world development pathways,” he said. “Our core mission revolves around the production of knowledge that responds to both local and global needs.”
He emphasized the College’s pivotal role in nurturing critical human capital, likening it to a factory that refines raw talent into highly skilled graduates. “We see ourselves as a knowledge production hub, taking in inputs in the form of students and transforming them into outputs ready to meet the demands of the competitive global market.”

Prof. Bamutaze reiterated the College’s commitment to ensuring that every student receives the support, training, and exposure needed to thrive both academically and professionally. “We are dedicated to ensuring that the entire academic journey is seamless and impactful.
During the orientation programme, the Deans of the schools at CAES introduced the students to the academic programmes offered within their units. In addition to the school-specific briefings, the students received information about the University’s academic structure and operations. This included guidance on essential processes such as registration and examination procedures. They were also introduced to a wide range of support services and institutional policies designed to enhance their academic experience and overall well-being. These included the University’s ICT support systems, library resources, the structure and timelines for fee payments, and key regulatory frameworks such as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy and the Safeguarding Policy.

Furthermore, students were informed about the availability of counselling and guidance services, which play a vital role in supporting mental health and personal development. The session also emphasized the University’s commitment to student welfare, aiming to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments to stand out wherever they go.
Briefing students on the University’s Safeguarding Policy, Prof. Justine Namaalwa emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment, strongly cautioning against all forms of discrimination, particularly against persons with disabilities. She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to protecting the dignity, rights, and well-being of every individual, in line with the safeguarding principles of equity, non-discrimination, and accountability.

As an integral component of the orientation programme, the students toured the college facilities to familiarise with the various resources and spaces available, including classrooms, laboratories, the library, recreational areas, and administrative offices.

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