Agriculture & Environment
Mak Council Commends CAES for Outstanding Research & Innovations
Published
2 years agoon

Makerere University Council has commended the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) for the outstanding research and innovations produced by the College. On 28th February 2023, six University Council members led by the Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara held a meeting with CAES leadership to get acquainted with the College and establish if the College’s mandate is linked to the vision, mission and Strategic Plan of the University. The current Strategic Plan (2020-2030) aims to transform Makerere into a research-led University, responding to national, regional and global development challenges, as well as contributing to global knowledge generation. The University also aims to produce the desired human capital, by creating an appropriate environment and support for students to meet their academic and professional aspirations. In line with this, the University intends to make teaching and learning all-inclusive integrating gender and special needs requirements. The University also intends to enhance partnerships with industry, the community and international institutions.

During the interaction with University Council members, CAES Management led by the Principal, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga showcased some of the outstanding innovations at the College including the Soil Test Tit, the soybean varieties bred at the College, urea molasses multi-nutrient blocks meant to ease cattle feeding during dry seasons and the Enviroewatch App for increased community surveillance of environmental degradation and restoration.

The Principal briefed the Council members on all research and innovations conducted at the College, the status of research institutes; teaching and learning; laboratories; staff recruitment, promotions and development; and the condition of the College infrastructure. She informed the team on the move by the College to rejuvenate Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) production for commercialization. The Principal also briefed the Council members on the College Pact launched on 9th August 2022 with the aim of causing transformation in teaching and learning, research and innovation, as well as knowledge transfer partnerships. She informed the team that the College leaders and members of staff committed to pursue the ‘Innovation Intentional’ agenda enshrined in the Transformational Pact. The Principal appealed to the University Council to consider taking up the wage bill of contract staff paid by the College and to support the completion of the Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre Phase III Building under construction. She also requested for support towards the refurbishment of the laboratories at the College noting that most of them are in deplorable condition and negatively impacting practical training. The Principal called for the institutionalization of the management of all incubation centres at the University.

The team from Makerere University Council that visited CAES
- Mrs. Lorna Magara – Chairperson
- Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega – Vice Chairperson
- Mr. Edwin Karugire – member
- Mr. George Bamugemereire -member
- Mr. Bruce B. Kabaasa – member
- Dr. Sengozi E.D – member
Secretariat
- Mr. Simon Kizito – Deputy University Secretary

Key research projects/innovations generated at CAES
- Makerere University Soil Test Kit – This can provide rapid soil assessment which can inform soil requirements to improve soil management, crop yields and incomes for farmers.
- Disease, pest and climate stress tolerant cow peas, and sorghum under the Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop improvement (MaRCCI).
- Drought, disease and high yielding varieties with short maturity periods Mak Soybeans – Maksoy 1N, Maksoy 2N, Maksoy 3N and Namsoy 4M 4Nand 5N and 6N providing an affordable source of protein under the and Soybean Improvement and Development (MakCSID) crop breeding programmes.
- The bio-fertilizer formulations to unlock crop productivity for improved food security.
- Production and promotion of protocols for Banana Tissue Culture for quick multiplication and disease control to improve yields.
- Value addition on Sweet Potato-Sorghum enterprises for improved Livelihoods in Uganda.
- Pig artificial insemination and elite genetics to improve farmer’s income.
- Provision of alternative source of protein for poultry and fish feeds through rearing blue flies, maggots and earthworms to supplement silver fish.
- Production of a livestock milk booster- produced from sugarcane industrial wastes to mitigate malnutrition, extreme hunger and poverty through improved milk production, nutrition and improved daily cash flow among farmers.
- Promotion and utilization of the mobile fruit factory for juice extraction and value addition.
- Development of a three wheeled multipurpose farmers’ tractor, MV Mulimi- able to thresh maize, pump water from a depth of 7m to a height of 33m, plough gardens, transport 20 adults and their goods over a reasonable distance, as well as charge a mobile phone.
- Automated the Communal Hand Water Pumps to eliminate COVID-19 Transmission (Mak-Nayi).
- Green low-cost Touch-less Hand wash Technology (TW-20 Kit) for public shared spaces
- Refractance Window Drying Technology (RWDT) for production of high quality bio-products adapted to common fruits, vegetables and herbs, for example mangoes, pineapple, jackfruit, carrots and moringa.
- Designed and developed an automated spray drier for egg powder production for use in bakery industries of Uganda.
- The KeBERA ICT based solution to detect inorganic contaminants as well as mycotoxins in food.
- Students have been involved in the production of yogurts, value addition to produce snacks from sweet potatos, bananas and sorghum.
- Establishment of a Botanical Garden at MUARIK. The Botanical Gardens will cover 30 acres of MUARIK land. This is one of the College initiatives geared towards the protection, conservation and recreation of ecosystems. The gardens will also be used for teaching and research.
- Introduction of 24 new sweet potato varieties on the Ugandan Market.
- The Sustainable Off-grid solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa (SophiA) Project to Aid Remote Health Facilities. It is a 4-year multi-disciplinary project commissioned in December 2021. SophiA aims at improving health service delivery in remote areas of Africa through provision of electricity to health facilities, preservation of medicine, water purification and improvement of hospital room temperatures in remote areas.
- The FLYGene Project – Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), in partnership with AARHUS University, ICIPE, University of Nairobi, and Marula Proteen Limited, is undertaking a research project titled FLYGene (Sustainable and efficient insect production for livestock feed through selective breeding). FLYGene is a new project funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the overall aim to enable the implementation of selective breeding of the Black Solder Fly (BSF) for improved livestock feed availability in Kenya and Uganda by generating new knowledge of insect genetics, genomics and phenomics.
- CAES is also taking lead in promoting climate smart agriculture as a measure to boost food security.
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Agriculture & Environment
Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: 30 Masters, 6 PhD Scholarships 2025/2026
Published
6 days agoon
May 19, 2025By
Mak Editor
Makerere University is pleased to announce 30 Masters’ and 6 PhD Scholarships for students joining Makerere University (Main Campus) for Academic Year 2025/2026. An applicant must belong to one of the following categories: Persons with Disabilities, Internally Displaced young people, Refugees, other Ugandan National with financial constraints, and, youth from other African countries.
ELIGIBILITY
For Master’s Applicants
- The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University‘s main campus for the academic year 2025/2026.
- The Applicant must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country.
- The Applicant should be experiencing financial hardships to pursue higher Education.
- The Applicant should not be a holder of any other scholarship.
- The Applicant should not be pursuing or have completed any Master’s degree studies.
- The applicant should have engaged in leadership responsibilities and/ or community service.
- The Applicant should not be over 30 years at the application deadline.
- Applicants in the Refugee and Students with Disabilities categories should be under 40 years at the application deadline.
- A refugee applicant MUST hold a Refugee Identity card or Family Attestation.
- The applicant should have applied for any of these degree programs MSc. in Soil Science and Agrology, MSc. in Crop Science, MSc. in Environment and Natural Resources Management, M.A. in Economic Policy and Planning, MSc. in Agricultural Engineering.
- The Applicant should have an interest in research, innovation and entrepreneurship in climate resilience and sustainability, and committed to complete the degree in 2 years.
For PhD Applicants
- The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University‘s main campus for the academic year 2025/2026.
- The applicant must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country.
- The applicant should be experiencing financial hardships to pursue higher Education.
- The applicant should not be a holder of any other scholarship.
- The applicant should not be pursuing or have completed any PhD degree studies.
- The applicant should have engaged in leadership responsibilities and/ or community service.
- The applicant should not be over 35 years at the application deadline.
- The applicants in the Refugee and Students with Disabilities categories should be under 45 years at the application deadline.
- A refugee applicant MUST hold a Refugee Identity card or Family Attestation.
- The applicant should have an interest in research, innovation and entrepreneurship in climate resilience and sustainability, and committed to complete the degree in time.
- The prioritised research themes are indicated in the application form.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, 6 June 2025 at 11:59 PM EAT.
Access and complete the Application Form at NO COST through the online application portal https://apply.caes.mak.ac.ug/
MORE INFORMATION:
Tel: +256-744-773-237
Email: climateresilience@mak.ac.ug
Agriculture & Environment
Call For Submissions: 2025 Farmer Field Schools Innovation Award
Published
2 weeks agoon
May 8, 2025By
Mak Editor
Organized by FAO’s Global FFS Platform with the collaboration of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) and Prolinnova and launched in 2024, the Award shines the spotlight on impactful solutions that can help shape the future of sustainable agri-food systems.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to:
- Showcase your innovation at the Science and Innovation Forum at FAO HQ in Rome from 14th to 17th of October 2025
- Receive support and mentorship from global experts
- Inspire other producers and practitioners to become innovators too
Who can apply?
Anyone involved in Farmer Field Schools (FFS) can apply including
- Producers and producer groups;
- FFS facilitators or master trainers;
- Project and programme teams;
- Development organizations;
- Social entrepreneurs;
- Private sector participants
How to Apply?
It’s simple – just follow these steps!
- Fill out the application form – Submit your innovation in writing or with a 5-minute video.
At least one of the two must be submitted through the official form.
- Simplified & Multilingual – The form is designed to be easy to use, short, and available offline, with multilingual support for broader accessibility
- Pitch Coaching – Shortlisted applicants will get coaching on pitching for the FAO Science & Innovation Forum.
- Tailored Support – Awardees will receive personalized support to boost their innovation.
The call for submission is now open until the 15th of June 2025
Agriculture & Environment
New Project to Improve Relevance of CAES PhD Graduates
Published
2 months agoon
March 24, 2025
Working with potential future employers of PhD students in Kenya and Uganda, Advancing Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains through Strengthening Trans-disciplinary Skills and Cooperation in East African Doctoral Education (ADVALUE) Project aims to develop curricula that best prepare academic specialists in agricultural sciences for their careers.
Overview
The lack of skills-oriented training significantly undermines the relevance of doctoral graduates in today’s rapidly evolving job market, particularly within industries such as agriculture, where practical expertise and adaptability are essential. While doctoral programmes traditionally emphasize research and theoretical knowledge, they often fail to equip graduates with the hands-on, industry-specific skills needed to address real-world challenges. In agricultural value chains, for instance, the ability to apply advanced research to optimize production, supply chain management, sustainability practices, and technological advancements is crucial. Without a strong foundation in these practical areas, doctoral graduates may struggle to effectively contribute to innovation and efficiency in agricultural systems. From improving crop yields through data analysis to enhancing logistics and distribution methods, agricultural value chains require professionals who can seamlessly integrate research with practical application.

What the ADVALUE Project targets to address
Co-funded by the European Union, the ADVALUE Project—Advancing Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains through Strengthening Trans-disciplinary Skills and Cooperation in East African Doctoral Education—seeks to modernize doctoral education in agricultural and agro-environmental sciences at universities in Uganda and Kenya. This initiative aims to enhance trans-disciplinary skills to promote the development of sustainable agricultural value chains, addressing pressing challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment, and climate change.
Project partners include; Nuertingen-Geislingen University, Germany (NGU); German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (DITSL); Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU); Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU); Makerere University, Uganda; Uganda Christian University (UCU); University of Nairobi, Kenya (UoN); Pwani University Kenya (PU); Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, Uganda (RUFORUM). Associated Partners: European Alliance in Agricultural Knowledge for Development, Belgium (AGRINATURA); National Agricultural Research Organization, Uganda (NARO); National Council of Higher Education, Uganda (NCHE); Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO); Ministry of Education Science and Technology Kenya (MoEST). The project PI is Prof. Dr. Heinrich Schüle. In Uganda, the project is coordinated by Prof. John Tabuti.

Project objectives
- Develop innovative courses on trans-disciplinary research methodologies and value chain analysis within doctoral programmes.
- Strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure research is demand-driven and fosters innovation.
- Enhance the expertise of both academic staff and doctoral students.
- Improve quality assurance frameworks and development processes in doctoral education.
To achieve these goals, ADVALUE is developing four modules for PhD students that will be integrated into the curricula of the partner universities in Kenya and Uganda, taking into account the experiences and expectations of local stakeholders and potential future employers. The modules will include topics on scientific work, trans-disciplinary research, rangeland management, and agricultural value chains. The collaboration and exchange between the universities and representatives from the working environment, government organisations and international partners aims to strengthen the career prospects of postgraduate students in East Africa and promote their expertise with regard to the local requirements for achieving the SDGs.

The ADVALUE interim conference
The project team held an interim conference at Makerere University on 17th-19th March 2025 to evaluate the state of PhD education in agriculture, incorporating diverse insights from both European and East African perspectives. The conference brought together academic staff, students, and leaders from partner institutions, associated organizations, and key stakeholders in the Agricultural sector.
The conference aimed to highlight the progress and findings of the project, offering a platform for discussing PhD research on agricultural value chains within higher education institutions (HEIs). A key focus was on trans-disciplinary approaches, as well as fostering dialogue on quality criteria for PhD programs. Additionally, the event served as a formal meeting for the project’s Steering Committee and provided an opportunity for partners to refine their assessments of doctoral education in line with established quality standards and institutional contexts.

Presentation by Mr. Joseph Nkandu on the Agricultural Value Chains in E.A
In his address on the sustainability of agricultural value chains in East Africa, Mr. Joseph Nkandu, Executive Director of NUCAFE (Uganda’s national umbrella organization for coffee farmers), emphasized the vital role that higher education plays in strengthening and advancing agricultural value chains. He stressed the importance of aligning education with the region’s broader development goals to ensure that future generations of agricultural professionals are equipped with the necessary skills for sustainable growth. “Education must become more practical and closely integrated with the region’s development objectives,” he noted. He praised the initiative, noting that the project would greatly enhance doctoral training at partner institutions, empowering students with advanced knowledge and skills to support and sustain agricultural value chains across East Africa. “The sustainability of Africa’s value chains is essential if we are to meet the demands of the growing population,” he added.

Uganda’s agricultural value chains are a cornerstone of its economy. However, several challenges threaten their sustainability, including climate change, which affects crop yields and water availability; inadequate infrastructure, which hinders market access; limited access to finance for smallholder farmers; land degradation; and insufficient technology adoption. Moreover, pest outbreaks and post-harvest losses further undermine the efficiency and profitability of agricultural systems. Tackling these challenges is essential to improving the sustainability and resilience of Uganda’s agricultural sector.

Remarks from NCHE
In her remarks, Prof. Mary Okwakol, the Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education, emphasized the critical role of doctoral training in driving societal progress. She explained that advanced research and innovation resulting from doctoral programmes not only contribute to academic advancement but also pave the way for ground-breaking discoveries. “These discoveries, in turn, play a pivotal role in shaping and transforming nation-states by addressing pressing challenges, fostering economic growth, and improving the quality of life for communities.” Prof. Okwakol called for continued investment in doctoral education to harness its potential for national development and global competitiveness.

Highlighting the challenges related to Doctoral training, the Deputy Principal of CAES, Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze, noted that the project was timely and would greatly strengthen the research capabilities of doctoral students, ensuring that their skills are more aligned with current academic and industry needs, ultimately improving the overall relevance and impact of their research outputs. “As Makerere University strives to become a research-intensive institution, the importance of collaboration cannot be overstated. This project will make a substantial contribution to this goal.”

Engagement with smallholder farmer in Matugga
During the conference, the project team had the opportunity to visit the farm of Mr. Sam Mpiira, a dedicated smallholder farmer located in Matugga, within Nansana Municipality. The visit allowed the team to gain first-hand insight into Mr. Mpiira’s farming practices, observe the challenges he faces, and better understand the impact of various agricultural initiatives in the region. This experience was an important part of the conference, as it provided a real-world context to the discussions on smallholder farming and rural development.

Key Issues Arising from the Workshop
- Overemphasis on theoretical science: While science is extensively studied, its practical application remains problematic.
- Outdated supervision: Many PhD supervisors are not up-to-date with current research trends. There is a need for educational frameworks that align with the latest development agendas.
- Technician mentality among graduates: A significant number of PhD graduates tend to think like technicians rather than innovators. Many struggle to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired and lack the ability to think creatively.
- Lack of innovation: There is a notable absence of innovation among doctoral graduates, which hinders progress.
- Evolving skillsets in value chains: There is an urgent need to address the changing skillsets required across different value chains.
- Unrealistic PhD programme durations: The prescribed durations for PhD programmes are often unrealistic and fail to reflect the complexity of the research process.
- Competing priorities: The multiple demands on students’ time hinder their ability to complete doctoral studies in time.
- Financial barriers: Limited funding continues to undermine the success and sustainability of doctoral training programmes.
- Lack of student commitment: Some doctoral students exhibit a lack of commitment and dedication to their studies, impacting their success.
- Negative student attitudes: Students often display an underestimation of the role and guidance of their supervisors, which affects their academic progress.
- Inadequate research facilities: Limited access to essential research facilities hampers the quality of doctoral research.
- Weak analytical skills: Many doctoral students lack the necessary analytical skills to perform at the required level of their academic discipline.
- Gender-based challenges: Gender roles negatively impact the performance and progression of female doctoral students, limiting their academic potential.
- Supervisory workload: Excessive workload on supervisors affects the quality and effectiveness of their mentorship.
- Need for relearning in value chains: Achieving sustainability in value chains demands continuous relearning and adaptation.

Recommendations
- Dedicated study leave: Doctoral students should be granted leave from other responsibilities to focus fully on their research.
- Creating research spaces: Institutions must create dedicated, conducive workspaces for doctoral students to foster collaboration and focus.
- Increase funding opportunities: More scholarships and financial support should be made available to PhD students to ease financial barriers.
- Research-oriented supervision: Supervisors must establish and maintain active research agendas to ensure they remain relevant and effective in guiding students.
- Strengthen institutional collaboration: Encouraging greater collaboration between Higher Education Institutions can foster exchange of ideas and resources to enhance doctoral research outcomes.
Photos from conference activities






More photos at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cZwlLXt5YBWoeMfO0wVbdva0NLIQ5sHr
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/107GJR6nCZJwKjmfrwveGXw7As2AhAQWt
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