Agriculture & Environment
Mak staff trained on the importance of Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in Leadership and Training: The project funded by Michigan State University’s Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), under the Transforming Institutions Strategic Funding seeks to deepen knowledge and sensitivities on diversity and inclusion at the participating institutions.
The Second D&I Workshop Held at Makerere University
The Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University on 28th July 2022 held the second workshop on diversity and inclusion for management and staff from participating institutions. The activity held at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility at Makerere University was graced by the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga. It featured expert presentations on integrating diversity and inclusion in teaching, training and community engagement; exploration of inclusive teaching and research; as well as cultivation and nurturing diverse and inclusive environments.
About the D&I Project
The Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership and Training project, funded by Michigan State University’s Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), under the Transforming Institutions Strategic Funding is implemented by Michigan Fellows Agribusiness Initiative (MFAI), Makerere University (Mak), and Michigan State University (MSU)-African Studies Centre. The project features a series of trainings aimed at deepening the knowledge and sensitivities of participating administrators, faculty, staff and youth leaders on matters of diversity and inclusion. The overarching objective of the project is to increase the representation of categories of people typically marginalized from leadership and decision-making processes such as women, people living with disabilities and youth from low income earning families. The project Principal Investigator (PI) at Makerere University is Prof. Nelson Turyahabwe, Head, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies at CAES.
Presentations at the workshop
Addressing participants at the workshop, the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in all University programmes. “Inclusivity is extremely important and starts with us as individuals. It is important for fulfilling the University mission and core values and each one of us, regardless of our shortcomings has a contribution to make. We must therefore be intentional on diversity and inclusion and must always practice fairness and justice in our pursuit for inclusivity,” she explained.
The Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Capacity and Needs Assessment at Makerere
Sharing the project findings on Makerere University, the PI, Prof. Nelson Turyahabwe indicated that some of the University policies do not outrightly address issues of diversity and inclusion. He called for periodical reviews to ensure diversity and inclusion are emphasized in all University programmes. According to the Institutional D&I Capacity and Needs Assessment conducted at Makerere, the University is an inclusive institution with policies and procedures that provide equal opportunity for all and generally lay foundation for diversity, equity and inclusion in the provision of services to the wider community without discrimination. However, integration of diversity, equity and inclusion in the University core mandate areas: teaching, research, and Knowledge Transfer and Partnerships is wanting, thus the need for training of persons responsible for these core functions. The Institutional D&I Capacity and Needs Assessment targeted to understand how the partner institutions take into account representation of categories of people that have typically been marginalized from leadership and decision-making processes as well as integration of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the mandate areas. The assessment was conducted by staff from the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies led by Prof. Turyahabwe (PI) and Dr. Losira Nasirumbi Sanya.
Preliminary findings/ Status of D&I at Makerere University
- Appointment and Recruitment of Staff policies are silent on D&I. ‘Equal Opportunity Employer’ is more of theory than practice
- Admission of students: All courses are open to all gender; Girls are given affirmative action of 1.5 at entry and 40% for females in STEM. There is a District quota system to address imbalances and cater for the less privileged/disadvantaged students from rural districts and also minority tribes. However,there is still low consideration of D&I in the admission of graduate students
- Curriculum Development: Many programmes are approved without gender and equity considerations. Appreciation of the importance of D&I is not shared across the board
- Teaching and Learning: Instructors/Lecturers to some extent use gender-responsive pedagogy. There are limited facilitates and support systems for special groups – Venues/buildings without lifts and ramp, no exams and examination scripts to cater for PWDs and no childcare facilities. Limited capacity – inadequate or no training on D&I
- Staff Development: The Staff Development Policy (SDP) is neutral to Diversity and Inclusion. However Administrative and Support staff ‘are not entitled’ in the SDP
- Research: Appreciation of the importance of gender dimension is not shared across the board. There is inadequate or no training in gender-responsive research methodology
- Implementation of Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) is more on ad hoc basis
- Leadership: There is openness to diversity in the current Strategic Plan 2020-2030. However, women are still very few in senior positions and become even fewer the higher you go in the hierarchy
Integration of D&I in teaching, training and community engagements
Speaking to participants on the need to integrate diversity and inclusion in teaching, training and community engagement, the Founder, Africa Diversity and Inclusion Centre (ADIC), Mr Mubiru Ipolito pointed to unconscious bias as one of the major obstacles to nurturing inclusive environments. “We all have unconscious bias in our practices. If we are to create inclusive environments, we must learn to address our biases. Unconscious bias leads to prejudice,” he noted.
In her presentation titled “Exploration of Inclusive Teaching and Research”, Dr. Euzobia Baine Mugisha, Director Gender Mainstreaming at Makerere University noted that research in higher education institutions was predominantly STEM and a few areas in social sciences. “The link between disciplines & how they affect development is not adequately explored,” she explained, noting that most of the funding goes to science research, a factor that largely undermines inclusivity and development of some units. She further explained that research at the University was still gender-blind despite the initiatives to incorporate gender analysis/perspectives.
Commenting on the small number of women in leadership positions at Makerere, Dr. Euzobia called for periodical monitoring and evaluation of the University policies from an inclusive perspective. “We should exercise discretion in the implementation of policies. We also need to interrogate the concept of merit and how it applies in real life.” Dr. Euzobia further appealed to the University managers to pick interest in the welfare of staff and students, saying the majority struggle with different challenges that undermine their performance. “We should not rash to judge and exclude them before establishing the root cause of poor performance,” she explained.
Cultivating and nurturing inclusive environments
Regarding the need to cultivate and nurture inclusive environments, Dr. Gorretti Byomire, a Lecturer and Director Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Disability Resource & Learning Centre, called for modification of existing practices and policies to accommodate everyone. “Developing Institutional policies on Diversity Management and training University leadership, staff and students about diversity and inclusion fosters inclusivity at workplaces.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Losira Sanya, project member, also Lecturer in the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, CAES, Makerere University.
First D&I training at Makerere: https://caes.mak.ac.ug/uncategorized/makerere-administrators-sensitized-on-significance-of-diversity-and-inclusion/
Agriculture & Environment
Strengthening Capacity and Shaping Policy: Makerere University Reviews Progress of MERIT and Environmental Risk Research Programs
Makerere University, this week, through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), hosted a comprehensive impact review of the Environmental Risk Management Under Increasing extremes and Uncertainty (MERIT) Project, bringing together faculty, researchers, students, and partners from Ugandan and Norwegian institutions. The discussions highlighted the transformational impact of collaborative research, student engagement, and capacity development in shaping policy, strengthening community resilience, and advancing Makerere’s contribution to national development.
A Cross-Continental Partnership Driving Change
The MERIT Project, focusing on Environmental Risk Management and the Increasing Extremes and Uncertainty, is a five-university collaboration funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) under the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) programme. The project, which runs from 2021 to 2026 (with a one-year extension due to COVID-related delays), seeks to enhance mutual collaboration between universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Norway. The project grant is worth 20 million Norwegian kroner and is being implemented across four Universities, namely, Makerere University, Uganda Martyrs University, University of Dar es Salaam, and Haramaya University in Ethiopia, with a strong involvement of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Western University of Science and Technology.
Its core components include:
- Curriculum review and development
- Staff and student training (Master’s and PhDs)
- Joint research and publications
- Community-based environmental risk interventions
- Student and staff exchange programs
- SDG integration and gender mainstreaming
So far, 20 staff and 15 mainstream students have benefited from and participated in the project initiatives, with 13 Master’s and 2 PhD candidates progressing through specialised training in environmental risk management, geohazards, and disaster risk studies.
Student Research Driving Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice
The MERIT and NORHED-supported projects have empowered graduate students and early-career researchers at Makerere University to undertake cutting-edge research that directly informs Uganda’s environmental risk management agenda. Although the full findings are yet to be published, the projects have catalyzed important scientific inquiry in several key areas.
Some of the students are currently working on:
- Improving environmental data and modelling to strengthen flood forecasting, hydrological planning, and climate-related risk assessment in high-risk regions.
- Assessing disaster risk reduction practices at the local government level and examining how global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework and the SDGs are being implemented on the ground.
- Exploring nature-based solutions, including sustainable approaches to land restoration, riverbank stabilization, and ecosystem protection.
- Studying climate impacts on agriculture and food systems, with a focus on supporting vulnerable households and smallholder production.
- Mapping urban ecological systems, including forest patches and carbon stocks, to guide sustainable urban planning.
- Documenting community-led adaptation strategies and traditional ecological knowledge to strengthen locally grounded resilience approaches.
- Evaluating the role of non-state actors, such as NGOs and community groups, in environmental risk reduction and recovery efforts.
Together, these research efforts are generating practical insights that can shape policy development, inform district and national planning, and strengthen community resilience. The projects are also building a new cohort of scientists equipped with the skills to bridge academic work with real-world environmental management challenges.
Community Engagement and Local Knowledge at the Centre
The Environmental Risk Management component of the MERIT project has contributed to impactful knowledge and research vital for community interventions in highland and mountainous areas such as Mbale, Bududa, Sironko, and other districts that are prone to environmental risks, like landslides, flooding, and geohazards.
Key community-focused activities highlighted in the meeting included digitizing households in high-risk areas, using remote sensing and GIS to develop contextual warning systems, documenting and integrating traditional ecological knowledge, assessing community resilience and vulnerabilities, and generating data for localized environmental risk planning. Such engagements not only strengthen community preparedness but also provide students with rich field experience and data for their research.
Student Exchanges and a Global Learning Experience
In an Interview, Prof. Harald Aspen,the Head, Department of Geography and Social Anthropology at NTNU, and Ms. Charlotte Nakakaawa Jjunja, the administrative co-ordinator of the project at NTNU, noted that, so far, five students from NTNU are currently undertaking research and internships in Uganda, immersing themselves in local challenges and contributing to joint innovations. Ugandan students have also benefited from exposure to Norway’s systems, creating a two-way flow of knowledge and experience.
They further noted that the exchange program, supported by the CostClim project under the Norpart project, helps students appreciate the complexities of implementing SDGs in diverse contexts, turning theory into practical, actionable insights.
Strengthening Makerere’s Institutional Capacity
Makerere University has benefited significantly from the MERIT collaboration. In his remarks, Prof. Yazhidi Bamutaaze, the Deputy Principal, CAES, noted that the College had acquired a Land Cruiser to support fieldwork, funding for curriculum review and SDG evaluation, support for gender mainstreaming initiatives, research funding for senior academic staff, enhanced visibility through joint publications and innovations, competence development trainings for college staff and students and co-supervision arrangements among others.
Such partnerships reinforce the University’s strategic commitment to cutting-edge research, global collaboration, and community impact.
Sustainability, Student Energy, and the Path Forward
A major segment of the meeting focused on the operationalization of sustainability principles across the University. Dr. Paul Mukwaya, the Head, Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences at CAES, emphasized leveraging student enthusiasm, building sustainability clubs, and avoiding passive “mainstreaming” in favour of proactive sustainability actions.
Key recommendations included:
- Training students on how to develop policy briefs
- Ensuring every student project reflects the SDGs
- Creating a central repository or map of all student work
- Strengthening academic supervision to grow student confidence
- Building systems that ensure research outputs influence actual practice
Dr. Mukwaya further highlighted the importance of student self-confidence, continuous reflection, and mentorship in shaping future academic and professional careers through the MERIT project.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the project has achieved significant milestones, several challenges remain, such as administrative and IT-related delays, balancing donor expectations with academic timelines and bureaucracies, maintaining strong collaborations across multi-university partnerships and ensuring sustainability initiatives are integrated and action-driven
Conclusion: A Growing Ecosystem of Impact
The review meeting affirmed that the MERIT and related research programs are not just academic exercises; they are shaping the future of environmental resilience, policy development, and capacity building in Uganda. The University’s commitment to student growth, collaborative innovation, and evidence-based policy influence underscores the central role Makerere continues to play in national and global development conversations.
As the project enters its final years, the focus now shifts to consolidating gains, scaling successful interventions, and ensuring that the research produced today continues to transform lives tomorrow.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
The School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-Engineering (SFTNB), in partnership with the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Center (MIIC), held the third edition of its Entrepreneurship Exhibition on 12th November 2025, bringing together student innovators to showcase a semester’s worth of creativity, research, and product development. The exhibition is a key milestone under the SFTNB Entrepreneurship Program – Cohort 3, a structured model that guides students through the full innovation journey — from idea generation and business training to prototyping, testing, and market access. Supported by MIIC with a UGX 7 million innovation fund, the program has empowered more than 60 students across 15 innovation groups to develop practical, sustainable, and market-ready solutions in food technology, nutrition, and engineering. This year’s exhibition provided a platform for students to present their prototypes, share their business concepts, and engage with university leaders, industry partners, and potential investors, further strengthening Makerere University’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurial change-makers.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering for nurturing innovations that reflect both creativity and commercial potential. He observed that many of the student products exhibited could be patented, scaled up, and exported, provided their shelf life, packaging, and branding are further improved. Emphasizing that innovation must go beyond classroom projects, Prof. Nawangwe urged students to view their work as viable enterprises capable of transforming communities and creating employment. He also pledged the university’s support in helping innovators register companies and access product certification, even suggesting that Makerere could subsidize related costs. He further called for closer collaboration with economists and marketers to assess product feasibility, adding that the university’s innovation ecosystem should include a dedicated marketing unit. He concluded by reminding students that their ideas hold the power to reshape Uganda’s economy and uplift livelihoods. “Don’t think what you’re doing is small. You’re contributing to transforming a whole society,” he said, adding that “You will not need to go out looking for jobs; you will be creating them.”
The Dean of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering, Prof. Julia Kigozi, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and the university management for their continued support toward the school’s initiatives. She noted that the exhibition was a reflection of the hard work and creativity of students who are being equipped not only with technical skills but also with the mindset to innovate and contribute meaningfully to industry. Prof. Kigozi highlighted that the school’s projects have significant potential for commercialization and industry collaboration, made possible through ongoing support and funding. She reaffirmed the school’s commitment to nurturing practical, industry-relevant training that empowers students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom. “When you see the students out here working hard, they are very encouraged,” she said, adding that “what they are doing demonstrates a lot of potential for products to go out for commercialization and for creating training platforms that can support industry in various ways.”
Mr. Gilbert Buregyeya, Programs Lead of the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC), commended the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering for its commitment to innovation and practical learning. He noted that the partnership between MIIC and the school has been instrumental in redesigning the curriculum to emphasize commercialization and market readiness of student projects. Highlighting ongoing efforts to make the certification process more accessible for young inventors, he revealed discussions with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) aimed at developing flexible, lower-cost certification pathways that allow students to test their products in the market.
Mr. Buregyeya further emphasized the importance of cross-college collaboration within the university, pointing to successful engagements with other colleges such as COFA and Queensland College. He expressed optimism that Makerere’s innovation ecosystem will soon produce groundbreaking, market-ready products capable of competing globally. “We are happy that the journey is underway this semester,” he said, adding that “our goal is to support young innovators to move from small markets to compete with the bigger ones outside, and to make certification and commercialization more attainable for students.”
Representing the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Edward Bbaale commended the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering for integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into academic training. He described the student exhibition as a celebration of “innovation, action, purpose and science that transforms,” noting that such initiatives align with national goals of value addition, sustainability, and community transformation. Prof. Bbaale emphasized that the showcased projects — spanning food, nutrition, and engineering — demonstrate how students are emerging as entrepreneurial learners and change agents addressing real-world challenges.
He acknowledged the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC) for supporting student-led research and urged innovators to remain focused, ethical, and community-oriented in their ventures. Commending the mentors and staff for their guidance, he reaffirmed the university’s commitment to building a research-intensive, innovation-driven ecosystem that supports ideas from concept to commercialization. “Never involve yourself in a business when you are not serving a community problem,” he advised, adding that “you have shown resilience, creativity and passion — proving that innovation knows no bounds. The future belongs to those who are ready to build it.”
The exhibition concluded with the recognition of the top-performing student innovation groups, celebrating their creativity, technical skill, and market potential. Umoja Lacto Blend emerged as the Second Runner-Up, impressing judges with its unique product concept and strong value-addition focus. The First Runner-Up, Green Farm Tractor, showcased an innovative engineering solution designed to improve agricultural efficiency and accessibility for smallholder farmers. Taking the top spot was Agri Farm, whose outstanding innovation, clear business model, and readiness for market positioned them as the overall winners of the 2025 cohort. Their achievements reflected the high caliber of talent within SFTNB and the transformative potential of student-led entrepreneurship.
Agriculture & Environment
Vice Chancellor Closes International Conference on Food Systems Transformation for Climate Action
Certificates awarded to participants as Makerere reaffirms commitment to climate-smart agriculture
Makerere University has today October 29, 2025 closed the International Conference on Food Systems Transformation for Climate Action, with participants awarded certificates for their contribution and completion of the intensive two-day engagements. The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, students, and international partners to deliberate on how to transform food systems in the face of growing climate challenges.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the organizers and participants for their active engagement and commitment to addressing challenges in food systems and climate change.
“This training has been very useful. Every conference I attend teaches me something new, and I can see that this has been a rich learning experience for everyone here,” said Prof. Nawangwe. “We must continue to innovate and work closely with smallholder farmers to ensure that even the smallest pieces of land are used productively. Technology, artificial intelligence, and affordable irrigation systems can make a real difference.”
The Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of turning university research into practical solutions that benefit communities, noting that Makerere’s scientists must go beyond publications to create commercial products and start enterprises that add value to their innovations.
“Our professors should not only retire on government pension but also on royalties from their innovations,” he added. “We must transform our research into products and services that create jobs and wealth.”
He further highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property and promoting collaboration between universities and industries, drawing lessons from global examples such as Malaysia and China, where research and innovation have powered industrial growth.
Representing the Principal of CAES, Dr. Julia Kigozi, the Dean of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering, appreciated the Vice Chancellor for gracing the conference and commended participants for their enthusiasm.
“We explored challenges, trends, and opportunities in food systems and climate change, and this conference has given our researchers and PhD students valuable insights,” she said. “It reminded us that while challenges are shared across countries, we can each start small and still make a difference.”
Dr. John Baptist Tumuhairwe, one of the conveners, emphasized the importance of integrating climate action into food systems transformation, noting that the conference had strengthened Makerere’s networks in food and agricultural sciences.
“This meeting has expanded our collaborations and reaffirmed the university’s leadership in advancing sustainable food systems,” he said. “It was also deliberate in engaging the youth, who are our next generation of innovators.”
On behalf of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Dr. Haris Akram, the Program Manager, thanked Makerere University for hosting the international gathering and reiterated the need for continued collaboration.
“We must ask ourselves whether this workshop will make a difference in our lives and practices,” he remarked. “The real success lies in how we apply the knowledge gained to improve food security and sustainability.”
The conference, organized by Makerere University’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in partnership with OIC-COMSTECH, brought together experts from across Africa and Asia to share experiences on sustainable food production, agro-processing, and climate-smart innovations.
Officially closing the conference, Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to leading research and innovation in agriculture, food systems, and climate resilience.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our country and the most important driver of our future,” he concluded. “Let us put our heads and hands together to transform this sector and build a sustainable future for our people.”
-
Research1 week agoMakerere University and Ministry of Public Service Study Reveals Impact of Salary Enhancement on Teacher Performance in Uganda
-
General2 weeks agoCall For Applications: Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training
-
General5 days agoMakerere University officially commences implementation of its Mentorship Policy
-
Education1 week agoReal life project: Makerere University Vice Chancellor hands over constructed Wall Fence to Makerere College School
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoSFTNB-MIIC Partnership Nurtures Entrepreneurial Learners & Change Agents