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
Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University Launches Youth Skilling Program to Catalyse Enterprise Development
By Damali Mukhaye
The Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University, an initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, has launched an inclusive Youth Skilling Program aimed at equipping young people with practical, market-driven skills to unlock business opportunities and contribute to climate resilience.
The Program will begin with a pilot of fifty (50) youth selected from Lwengo, Rakai and Yumbe districts, forming the first group of a planned 500 young people to be trained over the eight-year implementation period. The initiative targets youth who have completed at least Senior Four or its equivalent but have not enrolled for or completed university education.
For the first group, the youth will receive intensive hands-on training across the poultry value chain, enabling participants to develop climate-smart enterprises, create employment opportunities and strengthen their livelihoods.
The Program Director of the Africa Climate Collaborative, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, indicated that the Skilling Program was designed in response to the challenges faced by thousands of young people who are not in employment, formal education or vocational training (NEET).
“We realised that there are several young people who never got an opportunity to attend university or pursue higher education, yet they constitute the majority of our population. We are intentionally creating pathways that enable them to acquire practical skills, participate meaningfully in the economy and secure dignified employment,” Prof. Nabanoga said.
Applications for the first group under youth skilling program are now open to eligible youth residing in either Lwengo Sub-County in Lwengo district, Ddwaniro Sub-County in Rakai district, Zone 5 of the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, or Ariwa Sub-County in Yumbe District.
Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga explained that the Africa Climate Collaborative deliberately selected these locations because they are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The programme prioritises districts within Uganda’s agropastoral landscape. She further indicated that the Program is aimed at nurturing young people who will serve as catalysts for enterprise development within their communities.
“The training will equip participants with practical skills that enable them to innovate around climate-related challenges while protecting the environment. Ultimately, they will generate income, improve their livelihoods and become catalysts for local economic transformation.” she said.
Why Poultry?
The Africa Climate Collaborative selected the poultry value chain as the entry point for the pilot because it offers diverse opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.
According to Prof. Nabanoga, trainees will specialise in different components of the value chain, including feed production, hatchery management, poultry production, poultry product value addition and poultry waste management.
“The poultry sector offers numerous opportunities for innovation. By developing expertise across different components of the value chain, these young people will collectively strengthen the entire poultry ecosystem.”
Environmental sustainability remains central to the program. Participants will be introduced to climate-smart production practices, resource efficiency and innovative approaches to poultry waste management that minimise environmental impacts while improving productivity.
Program participants are expected to become community resource persons who will transfer the acquired knowledge and skills to other young people.
“These young people will become trainers of trainers. When they return to their communities, they will establish enterprises and mentor others, creating a critical mass of youth engaged in climate-smart businesses.”She noted.
District Leaders and Experts Welcome the Initiative
District leaders have welcomed the program, describing it as a timely intervention for addressing youth unemployment.
Francis Bwowe, Senior Agricultural Officer for Rakai District, described the intervention as timely and transformative.
He noted that the closure of Primary Teachers’ Colleges and the increasing costs of post-secondary education have left many youths without viable alternatives.
“Many young people who complete Senior Four have nowhere to go. Therefore, a program that equips them with practical skills to start their own businesses is extremely important. We believe it will help them become self-reliant and earn a living,” he explained.
Community leaders also expressed optimism about the program’s potential to transform livelihoods.
Mr. George Kizito, LCII Chairperson of Kalere Parish in Rakai District, said unemployment remains one of the greatest challenges facing young people.
“The opportunities exist, but many young people lack the capacity and confidence to create jobs for themselves. In our community, people involved in poultry farming are earning good money, but many youths simply watch because they do not know where to start from,” he said.
The program has also received positive reactions from technical experts. Responding through one of the Africa Climate Collaborative’s social media platforms, Ms. Nehwera Eufemia, a specialist in animal feeds, commended the decision to prioritise feed production.
“Feed accounts for nearly 70 percent of poultry production costs and is the single most important factor influencing profitability. Strengthening skills in feed production provides a strong foundation for improving productivity and sustainability across the entire poultry value chain” she observed.
Ms. Eufemia encouraged eligible young Ugandans to apply and take advantage of the opportunity.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to young people residing in:
- Lwengo Sub-county, Lwengo District;
- Ddwaniro Sub-county, Rakai District;
- Zone 5, Bidibidi Refugee Settlement; and
- Ariwa Sub-county, Yumbe District.
Eligible applicants must have completed at least Senior Four (O-Level) or its equivalent but should not have enrolled for or completed university education. Applicants must also be between 18 and 35 years of age by the application deadline and should not be engaged in any form of formal employment or training.
Young women, young mothers, refugees and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Application forms are available at NO COST through the online application portal at https://climatecollaborative.mak.ac.ug/application.
Applicants from Lwengo and Rakai districts may also obtain application forms through the District Production Offices and Sub-county Community Development Offices, while applicants from Yumbe can access forms through the Yangani Protection Desk at Ariwa Reception Centre and the Office of the RWC3 in Zone 5 of the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.
Applications should be submitted through the online portal, by email to climateresilience@mak.ac.ug or physically delivered to the designated district offices at NO COST.
Applications close on Thursday, 9 July 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further selection engagements. For further information, interested applicants may contact the program team on +256 744 773237.
Agriculture & Environment
TORCH Project Living Lab Drives Clean Energy Innovation & Climate Action in Luwero
By Ariho Modern, Tonny Kanyesigye and Tom Micah Matila
****TORCH (Towards a Clean Energy and Zero-Emission Society in East Africa) is a collaborative initiative designed to help communities respond to climate change through practical innovations, research, and inclusive partnerships. Implemented across Uganda, South Sudan, and Austria.
The TORCH Project’s Living Lab engagement in Kawumu Village, Luwero District demonstrated how collaboration among researchers, farmers, students, and development partners can accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies while strengthening efforts to address climate change.
Held on 4th May 2026, the engagement brought together stakeholders from academia, local communities, civil society, and international institutions to explore practical, affordable, and locally driven solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of clean energy.
The event underscored a growing shift toward community-centered innovation, where local knowledge and scientific research are combined to develop technologies that respond directly to the needs and realities of rural households.
“Knowledge shared here is not for the shelf; it is for our households, our farms, and our future,” said community host, Mr. Kayanja as he welcomed participants.
At the centre of the discussions was the TORCH Project’s Living Lab approach-a participatory model that places communities at the forefront of innovation and decision-making.
Community-Driven Research and Innovation
Addressing participants, the TORCH Project Principal Investigator, also Senior Lecturer in the Department of Soil Science and Land Use Management at Makerere University, Dr. Patrick Musinguzi, emphasized that sustainable solutions can only be achieved when communities are active partners in the research process.
“Under this initiative, every voice matters,” Dr. Musinguzi said. “Farmers, students, and researchers are equal contributors. The solutions we develop must reflect the realities of the communities we serve.”
He noted that the project, supported by the Austrian Government, has established a strong regional network involving Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Kabale University, and the University of Juba, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation across East Africa.
Clean Energy Technologies developed
The event showcased a range of technologies designed to address household energy challenges while contributing to climate mitigation efforts. These included energy-efficient cookstoves, food-warming baskets, biogas systems, and solar-powered solutions, all of which have the potential to reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels and lower carbon emissions.
Researchers also presented innovative methods for measuring environmental impacts. Demonstrations of greenhouse gas monitoring chambers and studies on methane production from livestock waste attracted significant interest from farmers eager to understand how agricultural practices can contribute to climate solutions.
“‘I never imagined cow dung could be this powerful,’ one farmer said after learning about its potential to be converted into renewable energy.”
Barriers to Adoption
The Living Lab also served as a platform for critical reflection on the barriers that continue to hinder the adoption of sustainable technologies. Participants identified affordability, cultural perceptions, and concerns about hygiene and maintenance as some of the key challenges facing wider uptake.
Expert Perspectives
Prof. Twaha Ali Basamba from the Department of Soil Science and Land Use Management at Makerere University cautioned that technological innovation alone is not enough to guarantee success.
“Technology must fit the people, not the other way around,” he said, emphasizing that solutions should be designed to be accessible, affordable, and culturally appropriate.
Representatives from partner institutions reaffirmed the importance of locally grounded innovation. Prof. Phelix Busigye Mbabazi of Kabale University underscored the value of cross-learning among Living Lab sites, while Dr. Margaret Namugwanya of Kyambogo University called for increased use of locally available materials in developing sustainable technologies.
“We must innovate with what we have,” she said, noting that imported technologies are not always suited to the long-term needs of local communities.
Mr. Andreas Bauer from BOKU University shared insights from the ongoing water quality research along River Mayanja, highlighting the importance of collaborative science in addressing environmental challenges. Meanwhile, Mr. Ochero Dickenz of Youth Go Green Uganda inspired participants with stories of climate action initiatives that have mobilized more than two million young people across the country.
Recommendations
By the end of the engagement, participants had developed a series of recommendations aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies. These included strengthening community-based production of food-warming baskets, expanding access to affordable energy-saving stoves, improving hygiene practices, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems to measure long-term impact.
Living Lab Model, a Blueprint for Sustainable Development in Uganda
For many participants, the significance of the Living Lab extended beyond research and technology demonstrations. It represented a new model of development-one that empowers communities to co-create solutions to some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of the time.
“This is not just research; it is our future,” said one student participant.
As Uganda intensifies efforts to address climate change and expand access to sustainable energy, initiatives such as the TORCH Project are demonstrating the power of partnerships in turning research into practical action. Through its Living Labs, the project is creating spaces where innovation is tested, refined, and owned by the communities it is intended to serve.
With momentum continuing to build, stakeholders believe the TORCH Project’s Living Lab model could become a blueprint for sustainable development initiatives across Uganda and beyond-ensuring that communities are not merely beneficiaries of innovation, but active architects of a cleaner and more resilient future.
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