_{By Harriet Adong}

Makerere University faculty, students and administrative staff diversely engaged at the Appropriate Technologies Expo. One of the over 850 multidisciplinary projects funded by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through Makerere University’s Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) https://rif.mak.ac.ug/ emerged ‘BEST INNOVATION’ (out of 46 showcased innovative solutions) at the Expo. This was Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment – Appropriate Technology Centre (ATC) 2023 Expo organized in partnership with Makerere University and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It was the second Expo held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds; Thursday February 2^nd through Saturday February 4^th, 2023 guided by the Theme: “Showcasing Appropriate Technologies that can be adopted to improve health, hygiene, social wellbeing, agriculture and environmental conservation”. Seven projects funded by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through Mak-RIF participated in this Expo.

The Winner and Best Innovation at the Expo is Makerere University’s project titled: Valorization of Waste Chicken Feathers for Water Purification: Designing and Constructing Low-Cost Keratin Based Nanofilters as Adsorbents of Heavy Metals and Nanosized Contaminants (MAK-RIF/CH/02/21). This project is being incubated at Makerere University College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) under the leadership of Dr. Alice Nabatanzi, the Principal Investigator.

“This is very exciting news, it is evident that innovations start small, just think without the box, explore and leverage readily available resources and put these into use to propose solutions to address community challenges. Thank you so much Government of Uganda for the funding. Thank your Makerere University management for the enabling environment and thank you team at Mak-RIF for the opportunities for us to showcase our solutions. We pledge our best”, said Dr. Nabatanzi.  She added that the efforts at hand currently are geared towards scaling the project for wider reach and in saying this she called upon potential partners, donors including the government of Uganda to embrace further supporting such innovative solutions to scale. Other team members include; Mr. Stanley Ofwono, Project Technician and Ms. Irene Achede, Project Administrator. Like other supported project teams, this team is engaging external stakeholders; Mr. Samson Okwir from Ugachick Poultry Breeders Ltd supports project implementation. In addition, mentorship of students is key at a higher learning institution like Makerere University and for this reason Mr. Thomas Wanyama and Tropher Ssali; Bachelor of Science Biotechnology students at CoNAS are team members of this project and they greatly supported at the Expo.

This project developed a keratin-based nanofilter using waste chicken feathers. This is a new technology and one of its kind in Uganda and Africa at large.  The project aimed at efficiency and sustainability while promoting a circular economy. The developed filter is able to clean and purify water through removal of micro-organisms, heavy metals and other nano contaminants. The filtered water is safe and ready for use and even drinking. This project purposes to control environmental pollution through recycling of waste chicken feathers as it contributes to improved health, food safety, food security and environmental safety. This project majorly contributes towards SDGs 3, 6, 9, 13.

The second-best Innovation was the Trenching Machine that eases excavation of trenches during laying of water pipes and the third was an application used in the operation and maintenance of a water supply system both by teams from Busitema University. Congratulations!

Other Mak-RIF projects showcased at the Expo include the following;

• Green synthesis of graphene from Agro waste for energy storage devices – Dr. Nobert Mukasa – College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT).
• Towards a Food Secure Uganda Under a Changing Climate – Dr. Isaac Mugume, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
• Environ e-Watch App for increased community surveillance in environmental monitoring catchment degradation and restoration – Dr. Patrick Musinguzi, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
• Functionalized XEROGEL – Carbon Water Filters – Dr. Ibrahim Karume, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS).
• E-Participatory Innovation Platforms for Improved Access to Forestry Extension Services – Associate Prof. Justine Namaalwa, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
• Green Low-Cost Touchless Handwashing Technology (TW-20 Kit) For Public Shared Spaces, Dr. Dr. Joshua Wanyama,College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). Details about the launch of these kits are shared on https://rif.mak.ac.ug/mak-unveils-a-touchless-handwashing-kit-for-public-shared-spaces-in-response-to-covid-19-pandemic/

Upon receipt of this exciting news, Prof. Fred Masagazi-Masaazi, the Mak-RIF Chairperson Mak-said “Wow, Congratulations to all exhibitors at the just concluded ATC 2023 Expo and specifically to Makerere University’s Dr. Nabatanzi and your project team. I am happy that the adjudicators at the Expo identified this project and recognized it as the ‘BEST INNOVATION’. Indeed, we have many more potentially transformative projects being supported under the Mak-RIF initiative with funding from the Government of the republic of Uganda”. “We are forever grateful to the Government of Uganda for supporting research and innovations at Makerere University. This fund has continued to have spillover effects to other institutions of learning and organizations with whom our researchers and innovators have continued to work” Prof. Masagazi added.

The Appropriate Technologies 2023 Expo was an opportunity for Ministry of Water andEnvironment inpartnership with Makerere University and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to showcase 47 innovative solutions directed towards positively impacting communities in which we live and serve. It was also at this Expo where the general public received various health services including HIV and Aids Counseling and Testing, Vaccination,testing for lifestyle diseases and Safe Male Circumcision etc. from Makerere University Hospital team. The Expo was attended by Members of Parliament, government officials including commissioners and assistant commissioners, private sector, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, the Media, Higher Education Institution faculty and students among others.   Details about the Appropriate Technology Centre (ATC) are shared on https://atc.mwe.go.ug/

Engineer Christopher Tumusiime, Commissioner of the Water Utility Regulation Department at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment welcomed all participants to the Expo noting that the Expo was an opportunity to showcase water supply, sanitation and environmentally appropriate technologies to spur social economic development in Uganda. “We are using this Expo to show that science and technology can be used to adjust effects of climate change, improve access to safe water, improve data management among others”, Engineer Tumusiime added.  He thanked Makerere University Hospital team for providing health services during the Expo. He also thanked Prof. William Bazeyo, the ATC Chairperson for mobilizing Expo participants noting that he was also grateful to the Expo partners for all the support which enabled it to happen.

Mr. Yakubu Al Hassan Kassim, WASH Officer at UNICEF commended all stakeholders for a job well done at the Expo. He noted that the theme was well thought out especially in this error of socio-economic development efforts. “Let us give all these technologies support to scale. UNICEF focusses on sustainability of these technologies because this is authentic for home grown solutions. We are proud to be part of this and please, whenever there is an opportunity, call on us” he added.

Prof. William Bazeyo, the Appropriate Technology Centre Chairperson called upon all stakeholders to support Uganda’s innovations to get into the different markets. He said “Our people in the communities deserve even more especially using some of the simple technologies for example purification of water”. Prof. Bazeyo thanked Hon. Aogon for sparing time to engage with each exhibitor while offering guidance. He requested Hon. Aogon to please take the message to the committee he is leading that what they are looking for is all at the ATC Expo. “One day, Uganda will be a source of what the region requires for example employment of the youth” he added. He also thanked Makerere University and UNICEF for the partnership noting that he is always proud to be part of Makerere University and would continue working with the teams to spur research and innovation.

Honorable Silas Aogon, Uganda’s Member of Parliament for Kumi Municipality, Kumi District and Chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) graced the expo as Chief Guest. He commended Ugandans who are researching and innovating including those embracing research and innovation. He called upon all to make technology and its aspiration viral. “Let new circles influence upcoming circles to grow technology” he noted. “We need appropriate technologies to save our natural bodies, control pollution, and reduce carbon emission” Hon. Aogon added. He also said that appropriate technologies need to trickle down to the last mile communities and thus the need to continue supporting the growth and development of technology. “On behalf of Government of Uganda, we pledge to continue supporting technology growth in Uganda and beyond. Let us all accord technology and innovation a priority so that we all benefit in one way or another” he said. He applauded the two Professors; Prof. William Bazeyo, the ATC Chairperson and Prof. Sylvia Nannyonga Tamusuza, Chairperson Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Unit and Head of Department Makerere University Department of Performing Arts and Film who joined in the Expo. He also appreciated the Makerere University Department of Performing Arts and Film for entertaining the Expo participants noting that when people sing properly then one is able to even work properly. He concluded by noting that by the time someone carries out research by him or herself, then that is a calling from God and may God continue to bless all researchers and innovators.

This Expo was also livestreamed online

Day 1 of the Expo – Follow the engagement on https://www.youtube.com/live/LI2z4hKCWvA?feature=share

Day 2 – https://www.youtube.com/live/qL8OcMJ0OvQ?feature=share

Day 3 – https://www.youtube.com/live/NjrK2s3FQak?feature=share

Harriet Adong is the Communications Officer, Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)

Contributor: Dr. Alice Nabatanzi, Project Principal Investigator