The Makerere University Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (MUJAES), with support from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University Press (MakPress), the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS), and the Makerere University Library, is pleased to announce the launch of its central online manuscript submission and management system.

Authors can now submit and track their manuscripts through the system by visiting: https://journals.mak.ac.ug/mujaes/about/submissions

To submit a manuscript, please:
1. Register on the platform,
2. Log in to your account,
3. Follow the prompts to complete your submission.

We are currently receiving manuscripts for Volume 15 (Issue 1), scheduled for publication in early July. You are invited to submit your original research and scholarly work for consideration.

To improve manuscript tracking and management, authors who recently submitted manuscripts via email (mujaes.caes@mak.ac.ug) are kindly requested to register on the system, log in, and upload the original manuscript through the online platform. Please note that this step will not affect the current review status of your manuscript; it is solely intended to facilitate efficient tracking and management within the new system.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to streamline and improve our manuscript submission and review processes.

Contact Information

Prof. Jeninah Karungi-Tumutegyereize
Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062 Kampala Uganda
Tel. +256705987559
Chief Editor, MUJAES

Makerere University students have once again demonstrated academic excellence and commitment to environmental conservation after emerging as the overall winners in the Uganda Wildlife Authority Tertiary Institutions Conservation Competitions held during the national celebrations to mark the World Wildlife Day.

On 25^th February, a team of eight students, including members of the Makerere University Tourism Association (MUTA), proudly represented the university at the competitions organized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The event took place at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe and brought together students from various tertiary institutions across the country to showcase knowledge and innovation in wildlife conservation.

The competitions formed part of the activities marking World Wildlife Day and were held under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.” The theme highlighted the importance of protecting plant biodiversity, particularly species that support traditional medicine, cultural heritage, and sustainable livelihoods.

After a highly competitive contest that tested participants’ knowledge of conservation, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability, Makerere University emerged as the overall winner. The Uganda Wildlife Research and Training College finished as the first runner-up, while Nkumba University secured the second runner-up position.

 The team’s achievement was officially recognized during the national World Wildlife Day celebrations held on 3^rd March at the Entebbe Works Grounds. During the ceremony, the students were awarded a trophy in recognition of their outstanding performance.

The award was presented by Uganda’s Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, alongside the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, and the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra. The leaders commended the students for their remarkable achievement and emphasized the critical role young people play in promoting conservation and protecting Uganda’s natural heritage.

The winning team comprised students from diverse academic disciplines as follows: 

1. Iradikunda Jemimah – Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Technology
2. Nankabirwa Edith Mirembe – Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management
3. Agenrwoth Brenda – Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management
4. Joel Kibirango – Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management
5. Elvis Mujuni Kamara – Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (Botany/Zoology)
6. Kamyuka Ben – Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (Botany/Zoology)
7. Karisa Geofrey – Bachelor of Science in Forestry
8. Nyangoma Caroline – Bachelor of Science in Forestry

 According to Prof. Jim Ayorekire, Head, Department of Tourism at Makerere University, the win not only highlights Makerere University’s continued leadership in conservation education but also underscores the importance of empowering young people to take an active role in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

_{By John Omoding}

When Immaculate Acom inhaled smoke from traditional firewood stoves, it was a daily struggle. Her eyes watered, her lungs ached, and cooking became a source of illness rather than nourishment.

Today, Acom’s home in Aten Village, Odudui Parish, Arapai Sub-county, Soroti District, has transformed into a living laboratory for green energy solutions, a hub where university researchers, students, and local farmers collaborate on practical strategies to combat climate change.

“I used to cough every time I cooked. Now, with a biogas digester built by my husband, I can cook and light our home safely,” she says, pointing to the small green dome beside her house. “This is a relief for all the mothers in the community.”

Bringing Academia to the Grassroots

Acom’s story is part of the TORCH Project, a multi-university initiative involving Makerere University, Busitema University, Kabale University, and the University of Juba. The project seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices at the community level.

Unlike conventional environmental campaigns, the TORCH Project emphasizes direct engagement with local communities. Role models within villages are identified and trained in modern agricultural practices, clean energy use, and environmentally friendly living standards.

Dr. Jolly Akullo Oder, TORCH Project Coordinator at Busitema University, explains:

“Our mandate is to go to the community, share knowledge, listen to their challenges, and co-create solutions. This is not about lecturing – it’s about learning together.”

The project’s operational area spans a ten-square-kilometer zone around Busitema University’s Arapai campus, where researchers, students, and community members meet regularly to exchange ideas and implement practical solutions.

A Living Lab for Green Growth

The initiative, branded as a living lab, aims to achieve green growth, rural carbon credits, and the adoption of affordable green technologies.

Dr. Patrick Musinguzi, Principal Investigator from Makerere University, emphasizes the community-centric approach: “We are here to sit at the table with the community, discuss the challenges of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, and chart a path forward together. Awareness is the first step to action.”

The project focuses on tangible interventions, including biogas digesters, sustainable tree planting, and energy-efficient farming methods, to reduce carbon emissions at the household and community level.

Community Voices: From Awareness to Action

For local farmers like John Michael Elebu, the university outreach is both eye-opening and practical. “I’ve never seen academics come to the community and engage with us so openly. I hope they can provide free improved tree seedlings to support our farming and fight climate change,” Elebu said.

Acom urges men in the community to take an active role in adopting clean energy technologies. Her husband, David Okwi, is among those championing the integration of green technologies into everyday agricultural practices.

“Promoting renewable energy and sustainable farming isn’t just about protecting the environment,” Okwi says. “It also improves health, saves money, and strengthens the resilience of our families.”

Universities as Catalysts for Environmental Change

The TORCH Project represents a unique model of academic-community collaboration, where research and practical application intersect.

Universities provide expertise, training, and access to modern technologies.

Community members contribute local knowledge, labor, and willingness to adopt change.

Together, they tackle climate change, energy poverty, and environmental degradation at the grassroots.

Dr. Akullo notes that the initiative will expand its activities continuously, monitoring outcomes, adapting approaches, and scaling up best practices across Teso and neighboring regions.

Way forward

By turning households into living laboratories, the TORCH Project aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.

For residents like Acom and Okwi, the benefits are immediate: cleaner air, reduced health risks, and practical solutions for everyday life. For Teso, the project could serve as a blueprint for climate-smart rural development across East Africa.

“Change begins at home,” Dr. Musinguzi says. “When communities understand the challenges of green gas emissions and know how to respond, the impact spreads far beyond one village or household.” In Aten Village, the hum of a biogas stove and the sight of thriving tree seedlings offer a glimpse of what is possible when universities partner with communities, creating hope for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.