_{By Myres Ndyabawe}

Makerere University Master’s Scholars under the Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), an initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, undertook a reconnaissance visit to Lwengo and Rakai districts in preparation of their academic research engagements.

The visit was intended to ensure that the research is informed by local realities, priorities, and perspectives, thereby enabling the scholars to undertake work that is responsive to and aligned with the needs of the communities it seeks to serve.

Accompanied by members of the ACC Program Delivery Team, Scholars engaged district technical staff, farmer cooperative representatives, and community members before visiting selected farmers across the two districts.  

These interactions provided an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the climate change-related challenges affecting local livelihoods and communities, thereby helping to inform the design and implementation of their research activities.

Lwengo District Agricultural Officer, Peter Bamwesigye welcomed the Africa Climate Collaborative staff and the Scholars in the district, pledging support for all initiatives that will be implemented in the district under the Africa Climate Collaborative.

“We want such good news and welcome such interventions that transform our communities.  As a district, we believe the research conducted by the students will bring innovations that will improve the lives of the people we serve.” Bamwesigye said.

Community Challenges Requiring Research and Innovation

Richard Ayesiga, the manager of Kyazanga Farmers’ Cooperative Society, which brings together 1,088 farmers, noted that prolonged dry spells and limited knowledge on climate resilience have reduced farmer productivity in the area, urging students to provide solutions to farmers through their research.

In Rakai District, the Senior Agricultural Officer, Ivan Bwow, led the team on a field visit to Lake Kijjanebalola. He explained that the proliferation of invasive water weeds has disrupted fishing activities and restricted access to the lake by other users, adversely affecting livelihoods, food security, and household incomes in surrounding communities.

He further observed that some parts of Rakai District are affected by saline water, which limits the viability of irrigation. This challenge has contributed to increased encroachment on swamps and wetlands as communities search for alternative sources of water and productive land, placing additional pressure on fragile ecosystems.

The other challenges that were noted across the two districts include;

1. Poor waste management
2. Plastic pollution
3. Crop pests and diseases
4. Mis-use of artificial fertilizer that has affected soil health.

Research and Innovation to Inform Climate Solutions

Research is a core requirement for the attainment of a Master’s degree at Makerere University. The Scholars, who receive comprehensive scholarships under the ACC to pursue Master’s degrees in various disciplines, are expected to undertake research in Lwengo and Rakai districts during their second year of study.

During the engagement, participants raised concerns about the common practice of researchers collecting data from communities without returning to share the findings and recommendations.

Responding to these concerns on behalf of ACC, Mr. Antonny Tugaineyo, Principal Coordinator of the Climate Resilience Support Centre (CRSC), reassured stakeholders that the Program is committed to ensuring that research findings are disseminated to local communities and relevant stakeholders.

 He noted that the evidence generated will be used to inform policy development, strengthen decision-making, and support innovative solutions to climate-related challenges affecting Lwengo and Rakai districts.

“The fourth pillar of the Africa Climate Collaborative is Networks, Policy and Learning. Our work does not end with conducting research. We are committed to engaging stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the knowledge generated benefits the communities that contribute to and participate in the research process,” Mr. Tugaineyo said.

Uganda’s refugee-hosting and vulnerable communities in Kyangwali (Kikuube district, part of former greater Hoima district) and Kasese district face severe risks from climate change, population pressure, and resource dependence, undermining livelihoods, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) outcomes. The Makerere-Cambridge project Communities of Hosts and Refugees Transitioning to Climate Resilience (CHART-CR) engaged communities through participatory research to identify adaptive practices, infrastructure gaps, and actionable strategies to address these issues.

Our findings are that integrated interventions including community training hubs for capacity building, climate-resilient infrastructure, and participatory resource governance can strengthen resilience, protect livelihoods, prevent potential conflicts, and support sustainable development.

More information: https://chart-cr.org/.

Key Messages for Policy

• In Hoima District: Erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells are significantly affecting agricultural productivity and water availability, thereby threatening food security among refugees and vulnerable host communities.
• In Kasese District: Frequent floods and landslides are causing widespread disruption to agriculture, damaging infrastructure, and compromising food security and WASH services, especially for refugees and vulnerable host populations.
• Strengthening climate resilience requires combining infrastructure investments, community training, participatory governance, and livelihood support to address interconnected risks in food security, water, and sanitation.
• Refugee and host communities already demonstrate adaptive practices such as soil conservation, intercropping, and water-efficient farming which can be scaled and reinforced through participatory learning platforms.
• Women and children bear the brunt of water collection and household labor; inclusive strategies and equitable decision-making in WASH, agriculture, and resource management enhance both resilience and social equity.
• Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, integrated community hubs for knowledge exchange and capacity building, and participatory governance could strengthen adaptive capacity, secure livelihoods, prevent societal conflicts between communities and protect health, education, and sustainable development outcomes.

1. Background

Uganda hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations under a progressive policy framework that promotes inclusion and self-reliance. Within this context, Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Hoima District accommodates approximately 155,000 residents, of whom 99.7% are refugees. Women and children constitute nearly 80% of the population, underscoring significant demographic vulnerabilities. Increasing population density, coupled with declining land availability per household, has intensified pressure on natural resources. This has contributed to environmental degradation and heightened exposure to recurrent droughts, thereby constraining agricultural productivity, worsening food insecurity, and increasing dependence on humanitarian assistance. The host communities suffer from the same environmental changes, and the fact that the refugee and host communities are managed separately add to suspiciousness between them that might lead to rising tensions and potential conflicts.

Similarly, Kasese District has an estimated 750,000 people who rely heavily on rain-fed subsistence agriculture, with over 85% of the population dependent on this livelihood system. The district is highly susceptible to climate-related hazards, including recurrent flooding, landslides, and droughts. These risks are particularly pronounced along River Nyamwamba and within the Kilembe mining areas, where environmental instability continues to undermine water and sanitation, infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods, and pose significant public health challenges. The convergence of climate variability, rapid population growth, and high dependence on natural resources creates a complex and reinforcing cycle of vulnerability affecting both refugee and host communities.

2. Methodology

The project Communities of Hosts and Refugees Transitioning to Climate Resilience (CHART-CR) through workshops was designed to generate evidence to these challenges and inform integrated policy and programming. The project focused on the interlinked dimensions of climate variability, food security, livelihoods, and water availability across diverse ecological contexts, including lowland refugee-hosting areas and mountainous, flood-prone regions. Implementation was undertaken through a collaborative partnership between Makerere University, the University of Cambridge, and the Cambridge-Africa Programme, with financial support from the Mastercard Foundation and Cambridge-Africa.

The CHART-CR Project adopted a participatory and inclusive research approach, engaging stakeholders comprising refugees, host community members, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and local government officials. Stakeholder selection prioritized gender balance, age diversity, and the inclusion of marginalized groups, including women, older persons, and persons with disabilities. Data collection employed included workshop discussions, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations. This approach enabled the systematic capture of community perspectives alongside expert insights, generating context-specific, actionable evidence to inform policy and interventions aimed at strengthening climate resilience, food security, WASH systems, and sustainable livelihoods.

3. Climate Variability and Environmental Pressures Key Policy Issues

In Kyangwali, rainfall patterns have become increasingly erratic, with delayed rainy seasons and prolonged dry spells disrupting traditional planting and harvest cycles and significantly reducing yields. Deforestation associated with refugee settlement expansion has reduced soil moisture retention, biodiversity, and microclimate regulation, further undermining agricultural productivity.

In Kasese, floods from River Nyamwamba and recurring droughts threaten homes, crops, and infrastructure, displacing households and reducing agricultural yields. Both districts experience environmental degradation that exacerbates vulnerability to climate shocks.

Food Security and Livelihood Constraints

Shrinking per capita land provision, declining seed quality, limited access to farm inputs, and weak storage infrastructure constrain crop diversification and household self-reliance in both districts. Post-harvest losses and limited market access reduce household income, heightening vulnerability. Refugee-host interactions, including land rental, knowledge exchange, and market engagement, enhance resilience but might also create perceptions of inequality due to differences in institutional support.

Water Access and availability Challenges

Communities face water scarcity and contamination from communal usage, poor sanitation, and agricultural runoff. Women and children bear the primary burden of water collection, often traveling long distances, which reduces labor productivity and school attendance. In Kasese district, low latrine coverage, open defecation, and inadequate waste management increase exposure to waterborne diseases. Floods and landslides on Kasese further compromise water quality and availability and thus increase health risks.

Adaptive Capacities

Despite these challenges, communities demonstrate strong local knowledge and adaptive practices, including informal water management, soil conservation, intercropping, and water-efficient farming techniques. Participatory approaches, joint training in climate-smart agriculture, and collaborative livelihood initiatives foster social cohesion and knowledge sharing between refugees and host communities. Existing leadership structures, community awareness, and partial infrastructure provide a foundation for scaling resilience interventions.

4. Conclusions and Policy Directions

Climate variability, population pressure, and resource dependence significantly undermine livelihoods, food security, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) outcomes in Kyangwali and Kasese. Communities possess valuable experiential knowledge, adaptive practices, and social cohesion; however, structural constraints including weak infrastructure, limited financing, low technical capacity, and fragmented coordination – limit the effectiveness of local strategies.

To strengthen resilience, integrated interventions are required that bridge humanitarian response and long-term development, institutionalize participatory and gender-sensitive approaches, build human, social, and institutional capital, and align local priorities with technical expertise and policy frameworks. Key policy measures include:

• Establish and strengthen integrated community resilience centers that serve as hubs for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and practical training in climate-smart agriculture, environmental conservation, food storage, water management, and market access. These centers should also promote inclusive learning, skills development, and cooperative enterprises that support both refugee and host communities in developing sustainable livelihoods.
• Invest in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Upgrade WASH systems, construct protected wells, boreholes, piped water networks, and communal storage facilities, and restore riverbanks through tree planting and drainage maintenance to reduce soil erosion and contamination.
• Promote Community-Led Resource Governance: Support participatory water, sanitation, and agricultural management, including monitoring systems for adaptive learning, equitable resource allocation, and gender-sensitive decision-making.

These combined strategies will enhance adaptive capacity, secure sustainable development outcomes, and protect livelihoods, food security, health, and education for Uganda’s most vulnerable populations.

5. Call to Action

The experiences and lessons learnt from Hoima (Kyangwali Refugee Settlement and adjacent host communities) and Kasese (refugee and host communities living around River Nyamwamba) under the CHART-CR project highlight the urgent need for integrated, locally informed, and coordinated resilience strategies. By aligning technical expertise, policy frameworks, and community knowledge, stakeholders can enhance adaptive capacity, secure sustainable development outcomes, and protect livelihoods, food security, health, and education for Uganda’s most vulnerable populations. Further details about the CHART-CR project, its research, and outcomes can be accessed at https://chart-cr.org/

About the Authors

Dr. Gabriel Karubanga Lecturer, Makerere University, Uganda

Dr Irit Katz, Assoc. Prof. of Architecture, University of Cambridge, UK

Mr. Frank Mafumo, PhD student, Makerere University, Uganda

Important Contacts

1. Dr. Gabriel Karubanga, Lecturer, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256782929971; email: gabriel.karubanga@mak.ac.ug
2. Dr Irit Katz, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge; email: ik300@cam.ac.uk
3. Mr. Frank Mafumo, PhD student, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256774171519; email: mafumofrank2020@gmail.com

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Prof. Isa Kabenge has officially handed over leadership of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DABE) at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University to Prof. Joshua Wanyama. Prof. Kabenge has served as Head of Department since 2021, providing four years of leadership marked by institutional growth, strengthened partnerships, and expanded academic output. Prof. Wanyama will serve as Head of Department for a four-year term, effective 6^th May 2026.

The handover ceremony, held in the Conference Hall of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) on 4^th June 2026, was attended by key university officials and members of staff from the department. These included the Director of Human Resources, Makerere University, represented by the CAES Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Julius Lebo; the Dean of SFTNB, Dr. Julia Kigozi; and the Head of Internal Audit, represented by the College Bursar, Ms. Susan Kyamulabi.

Remarks and Appreciation by the Dean 

In her remarks, Dr. Julia Kigozi commended Prof. Kabenge for his dedicated service and exemplary leadership. She appreciated him for the cordial working relationship, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to institutional development. She particularly acknowledged his efforts in initiating and strengthening partnerships with both local and international partners, which have significantly enhanced the department’s academic and research profile.

 Dr. Kigozi congratulated Prof. Wanyama on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would build on the accomplishments of his predecessor.

Reflections from Prof. Kabenge

Prof. Kabenge expressed gratitude to the University Management, as well as the staff of DABE, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the department over the past four years. He also acknowledged the support extended to him by the College and School leadership throughout his tenure.

“My time in office coincided with particularly challenging circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages. Despite these difficulties, I commend the resilience, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by staff, which enabled the department to continue progressing. This experience has affirmed that DABE has an exceptional team with immense potential that can be leveraged to elevate the department to even greater heights,” he said. “It has been an honour to serve as Head of Department. As I step down, I do so with full confidence in the direction the department is taking.”

 Prof. Kabenge encouraged staff to continue strengthening the culture of collaboration that has become a hallmark of the department, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary engagement. “Many of the issues the department addresses, such as water security and climate-smart agriculture, are complex and require diverse expertise and collaborative approaches,” he noted.

 Prof. Kabenge pledged to continue supporting the department, particularly in the areas of research and collaboration.

Achievements registered

The overarching goal of DABE is to remain a leading center of excellence in agro-production and food systems within the region and across East Africa. The Department currently hosts approximately 315 students and offers a range of academic programmes, including the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Water and Irrigation Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Bioprocessing Engineering, Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering, and a PhD in Agricultural Engineering.

Strengthened Research Profile

Prof. Kabenge leaves office at a time when the department has established a strong research profile, with academic staff producing more than 40 publications annually. Research within the department spans a wide range of thematic areas, including soil, water and irrigation engineering; bioprocess engineering; food processing, preservation and bio-based materials; nanotechnology and bioprocessing technologies for agriculture; artificial intelligence and engineering modelling; and power and machinery for sustainable agriculture. This growing research output has been complemented by an expanding network of collaborations that has strengthened the department’s capacity for innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical impact.

Infrastructure and Capacity Building

In addition, DABE has developed several practical training and research facilities, including a fabrication workshop at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK), aquaculture ponds, irrigation demonstration and experimental systems, post-harvest handling facilities such as refractive window dryers and hybrid solar dryers, and a water science laboratory currently under development. Many of these facilities have been established through research projects funded by both local and international partners.

The Department also hosts the Africa Water Quality Testing Fellowship, a capacity-building programme implemented in partnership with the Aquaya Institute. The fellowship trains students and early-career professionals in water quality monitoring, testing, and management through classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and field-based research. It aims to strengthen Africa’s water workforce, improve access to reliable water quality data, and support safer drinking water systems. The programme is part of a five-year regional initiative (2021-2026) operating through universities in Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia.

Welcoming the New Head

Prof. Kabenge congratulated Prof. Wanyama on his appointment and encouraged him to sustain and further strengthen the department’s local and international partnerships. He specifically encouraged the revival of visiting professorships and deeper engagement with the department’s expanding and well-connected alumni network.

Remarks by the University Officials and Incoming Head

The Director of Human Resources, represented by Mr. Julius Lebo, commended the outgoing head for his dedicated service and welcomed the incoming head, appreciating his willingness to take on the leadership role.

Similarly, the College Bursar, Ms. Susan Kyamulabi, praised Prof. Kabenge for his professionalism, strong administrative organization, and prudent management of departmental funds.

In his remarks, Prof. Joshua Wanyama expressed gratitude to University Management for his appointment, and to Prof. Kabenge, for his exemplary servant leadership and mentorship. He acknowledged the department’s steady growth under the outgoing head and thanked staff for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead them.

“I pledge my full commitment to serve. DABE is known for excellence and delivery, and I intend to uphold and strengthen that legacy. We shall continue working as a team to pursue excellence and further develop our department,” he said.

Brief about Prof. Joshua Wanyama

Prof. Joshua Wanyama is a Ugandan academic and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Makerere University. He holds a PhD in Bioscience Engineering from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), a Master of Science in Water Science and Engineering from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Netherlands), and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Makerere University.

With over twenty years of experience in teaching, research, and academic mentorship, he specializes in irrigation engineering, water resources management, watershed systems, and climate-smart agriculture. His work focuses on advancing sustainable agricultural water systems and strengthening climate resilience in Uganda and the wider region.

He has supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributed to curriculum development, and served as an external examiner for a number of universities across Africa. He is a registered professional engineer and an active member of professional bodies including the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

In recognition of his academic excellence, he was named among the top-performing mid-career researchers and lecturers at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in the 2025 Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards.

Pictorial of the handover ceremony:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RjIS9_8mPM5HVr7UAFP7ik43kkpj-WOY?usp=sharing