Agriculture & Environment
Prof. John H. Muyonga Delivers Professorial Inaugural Lecture
Theme: Circular Bio-economy: Applications to the Agri-food Sector
In his Lecture, Prof. John H. Muyonga highlighted the nutritional value of waste from agri-food products and explained the measures that can be taken to minimize wastage
The Inaugural Lecture
A lot of what is thrown away as waste from agri-food products contains nutrients that are crucial for the body’s immunity. This was revealed by Prof. John H. Muyonga during his Professorial Inaugural Lecture held on 23 June 2023 at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University. Organized under the theme: Circular Bio-economy: Applications to the Agri-food Sector, the lecture was graced by the University Top Management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and attended by academics and administrators from the 10 Colleges of Makerere, as well as the family of Prof. Muyonga. Prof. Muyonga.
The health benefits of waste from agri-food products
In his presentation, Prof. John H. Muyonga, a Professor of Food Science at the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University revealed that waste of plant origin contains nutrients and a wide diversity of non-nutrient compounds (phytochemicals), that are associated with health benefits. “The non-starch polysaccharides from fruits, vegetables and whole cereals help prevent cancer, hypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypochloresterol. Carotenoids found in coloured fruits and vegetables equally prevent hypertensive, cancer, obesity, and support vision. The phytosterols in cereals and legume cereals bran serve as antioxidants and help in the prevention of colon cancer and hypochloresterol effect, hypertensive, pytic acid, and kidney stone formation,” Prof. Muyonga explained, further highlighting valuable components of waste from selected food crops. Citrus peels and seeds contain Pectin, essences, ethanol, D-limonene, limonoids and flavonoids. Mango peels and kernels contain fibre, vitamins, carotenoids and polyphenols, kernal fat and pectin. Passion fruit seeds and rind contain pectin and linoleic acid. Banana peels have phenolics, beta-carotenoids, anthocyanins, fiber, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, flavonoids and potassium, whereas Avocado seeds and peels contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibres, minerals, phenolics, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Prof. Muyonga also highlighted a number of valuable components in waste from animal-based foods emphasizing the need to minimize wastage. According to Prof. Muyonga, increased adoption of circular bio-economy principles can help minimise wastage. Circular bio-economy entails reuse of as much bio-waste as possible, resulting in multiple value added products from a given volume of harvested biomass. Circular bio-economy can be used to explore the use of waste streams as raw materials for products such as new food products, feed, fuel, industrial ingredients, bio-plastics, biopharmaceuticals, bio-cosmetics, enzymes, nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, materials for tissue repair, plasma substitutes, microbes and adsorbents. Circular bio-economy decreases dependency on natural resources by encouraging sustainable goods that generate food, feed, materials and energy using biological resources.
Minimising wastage of agri-food products
During his 26 years at Makerere University, Prof. Muyonga has been key in developing research capacity on previously under researched foods including grain amaranth, jackfruit, pumpkins, Solanum anguivi (katukuma), and Nile perch, among others. Working with a number of partners, he has conducted research and come up with various technologies to minimize wastage in agri-food products. Given the Nutraceutical properties of jackfruit pulp, he has conducted research and developed protocols for drying jackfruit pulp using the Refractance Window Drying technology. He has conducted studies on pumpkin and produced shelf stable flours from seed and pulp of pumpkins. Flour from the seeds is high in phytochemicals and it is recommended for weight control. Together with his research team, they have processed sweetpotato products into shelf-stable value added products. He has also conducted research on jackfruit pectin. The work entailed extracting pectin from jackfruit and assessing its properties. He also worked on the production and utilisation of passion fruit powder. Other key activities included; Tamarind seed analysis and utilisation- Tamarind seed powder was found to be suitable for use as ingredient to enhance nutraceutical properties of juices and cookies; Nile Perch collagen and gelatin studies – Collagen has a unique amino acid profile that gives it peculiar properties, including the ability to form gels when dissolved in water; Nile Perch oil extraction and Characterisation- Fish oils are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids contribute to brain development and protection against cardiovascular diseases, breast, colon and prostate cancer, inflammation, depression, pain and psychosis. He also worked on characterisation of cassava leaf, processing and utilisation. Cassava leaves were found to be high in proteins, carbohydrates, beta-carotene, polyphenols and ascorbic acid.
Future plans
In future, Prof. Muyonga intends to work on the characterization of by-products from more agri-food materials produced in Uganda. He also hopes to work on the application of novel and sustainable technologies in agri-food waste valorisation to improve extraction efficiency, efficacy and limit environmental impact; and to evaluate new applications of components of agri-food waste – e.g. in bio-based packaging and bio-preservation. Prof. Muyonga also plans to undertake policy and techno-economic analysis of valorisation options.
Remarks by the Vice Chancellor
According to Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, an inaugural lecture is an occasion of significance in an academic staff member’s career at the university. It provides professors with the opportunity to share their achievements in research, innovation, engagement and teaching activities before an audience of members of the University community and the general public.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated Prof. Muyonga for making all necessary preparations to deliver his Professorial Inaugural Lecture. “This is the way to go as we continue to boost our scholarship, image and reputation. The Professorial Inaugural Lecture should act as an inspiration to all of us as scholars to not only learn but also continuously disseminate our work. I want to implore other colleagues at the rank of Professor in the University to emulate Prof. Muyonga and also deliver their Professorial Inaugural Lectures.” The Vice Chancellor commended CAES for spearheading the initiative leading to Prof. Muyonga’s presentation and applauded the Professorial Inaugural Lectures Organising Committee (PILOC) led by Prof. David Bakibinga for a job well done in preparing for this event. Highlighting the significance of Prof. Muyonga’s lecture focus, “Circular bioeconomy: Applications to the agri-food sector”, the Vice Chancellor noted that it was quite novel and contemporary, testifying that Makerere University possesses the competencies and capacities to substantially address the national and global development challenges. “Our science, creation of new knowledge and innovations in this field will be crucial for national stability cognizant of Uganda’s rapid population growth and high levels of youth unemployment. As a premier university, we should harness the emerging opportunities including artificial intelligence which appears to be a game changer to find practical solutions to complex societal challenges at multiple scales,” he explained.
Remarks by the DVCAA
In his remarks, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, also host of the Professorial Inaugural Lectures, Prof. Umar Kakumba said Prof. Muyonga’s research works had demonstrated Makerere’s commitment and contribution to the realization of the national and global development agendas. “As academics, we have a duty to think and address the needs of the growing population, projected to reach 60 million in 2030 and 102 million in 2060. The research done by Prof. Muyonga contributes to the realization of the SDGs2,3,9,12 aimed at reducing hunger; ensuring good health and wellbeing, generating employment and income through innovation; and reversing the current consumption trends as well as promoting a more sustainable future.”
Prof. Muyonga’s biography
Prof. Muyonga holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Pretoria, M.Sc. Food Science from Cornell University and a B.Sc. Food Science and Technology from Makerere University. He became full Professor of Food Science of Makerere University in 2010, and has served as Faculty at Makerere University since 1997. Prof. Muyonga was Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology from 2006 to 2011, during which period the Department transformed to the now School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering and served as the pioneer Dean of the School. He has published over 80 peer reviewed journal articles, mainly in areas of nutraceutical and physico-chemical properties of traditional Ugandan foods, improvement of traditional food handling and processing methods, extrusion technology, novel drying techniques and agri-food waste valorisation. Prof. Muyonga serves as Associate Editor of two (2) international journals and his work has been cited in over 3,900 articles.
Prof. Muyonga has played critical roles in the development of capacity for food science and nutrition research and research translation in Uganda. He has led more than twenty (20) research and consultancy projects and raised over 20 million US$ for research, technology translation and institutional development. He has been key in developing research capacity on previously under researched foods including grain amaranth, jack fruit, pumpkins, Solanum anguivi (katukuma), and Nile perch, among others. As a university administrator, Prof. Muyonga coordinated the implementation of several institutional development initiatives, including a NORAD funded institutional development project for Makerere University’s Department of Food Science and Technology and the setting up of a Technology and Business Incubation Centre at Makerere University.
Under his leadership, the Department of Food Science and Technology and the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering initiated four (4) new degree programmes, registered great improvement in research infrastructure, greatly increased graduate students’ enrolment and graduation rates, markedly increased output of peer reviewed research articles and supported commercialisation of dozens of new food products. He has served on several boards, advisory and technical committees, and is currently Chair of the Management Committee of the National Agricultural Research Laboratories, as well as board member of Volunteer Efforts Development Concerns. Prof. Muyonga is a Fellow of the Uganda Academy of Sciences and professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists (USA). He was the 2009 TWAS young scientist, is an alumnus of the Global Young Academy, UN University and TWAS affiliate programme. He was previously member of the scientific advisory committee of the Bill and Melinda Gates funded Banana Biotechnology Programme and served as Technical Evaluator for the World Bank African Centres of Excellence for Central and Western Africa and for the European Commission research programmes. Prof. Muyonga is also a Rotarian and has served in several roles in his club (Rotary Club of Kampala North). He is a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF+3) and is actively engaged in numerous Rotary projects supporting the underserved.
Agriculture & Environment
Mak Unveils Key Findings on Urban Development Challenges in Kampala, Proposes Reforms for Improvement
Makerere University has released a comprehensive report detailing the key challenges affecting urban development in Kampala, one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. With an annual population growth rate of 5.6%, Kampala faces significant pressure on its infrastructure and urban systems. The report, part of the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) program, aims to provide actionable insights to improve the living conditions and urban services for all residents, especially marginalized communities.
Launched by Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, the Minister of State for Urban Development, on 13th February 2025, the report explores the political, social, and infrastructural dynamics that have shaped urban development in Kampala. The analysis covers critical domains, including informal settlements, youth and capability development, land and connectivity, and health, wellbeing, and nutrition.
A Holistic Approach to Kampala’s Urban Challenges
The findings are based on extensive research by Makerere University‘s Urban Action Lab, with contributions from scholars, practitioners, and experts both local and international. The report identifies the most pressing challenges facing the city, particularly for its disadvantaged communities, and provides a framework for addressing these issues in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. Key contributors to the research include: Dr. Paul Isolo Mukwaya, lead author and Head, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences at Makerere University; Ms. Judith Mbabazi, Researcher, Urban Action Lab, Makerere University; Prof. Henrik Ernstson, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, The University of Manchester, UK; Dr. Peter Kasaija, Dr. Daniel Ochieng Ologe, Dr. Ritah Nakanjako, and Dr. Kareem Buyana, Researchers, Urban Action Lab, Makerere University; Ms. Hasifa Namuli, Wakiso Town Council Planner; Dr. Gloria Seruwagi, School of Public Health, Makerere University; Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga, and Patricia Liola Tona Katto, Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre; Dr. Henry Bazira, Ms. Maria Ssematiko, Dr. Eria Serwajja, Mr. Muhamed Lunyago, and Dr. Doreen Kobusingye.
Key Findings
- Infrastructure Deficits: The city is struggling with significant deficits in infrastructure and service provision, which are further exacerbated by rapid population growth.
- Governance Challenges: Multiple actors, including the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the central government, often fail to coordinate effectively on service delivery. This lack of coordination leads to inefficiencies and contestations within city systems.
- Inequality in Service Delivery: Informal settlements are disproportionately affected by poor service delivery, including inefficient transport, inadequate electricity distribution, and insecure neighbourhoods.
- Privatization and Market-Driven Approaches: Privatization of services has led to a fragmented system, where gaps in service delivery are filled by private actors, resulting in unreliable and inaccessible services for many, particularly in informal settlements.
- Mistrust and Governance Issues: Political struggles, corruption, and ineffective governance slow down reform efforts and hinder sustained investment in key urban sectors.
- Political Elites and Informality: The influence of political and business elites operating informally impacts critical decisions on urban development, particularly regarding land, infrastructure, and public services.
- Health and Nutrition Gaps: Despite abundant food, low incomes and poor nutrition knowledge contribute to poor health outcomes. A more informed and accessible approach to nutrition is needed.
- Youth and Vulnerability: Kampala’s youth, who represent 46% of the population, are underserved by policies and face high rates of teenage pregnancies and drug abuse, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
- Land Market Exploitation: Land brokers take advantage of information gaps in the land market, complicating efforts to address housing and land tenure issues.
- Informal Settlements and Political Capital: Informal settlements in Kampala are becoming significant for economic rents and political leverage, which further complicates efforts to address urban challenges.
Proposed Reforms
The report suggests several priority reforms to improve Kampala’s urban development, including:
- Upgrading Informal Settlements: Addressing poor housing conditions and infrastructure in informal settlements.
- Proper Land Registration: Enhancing land tenure security through improved registration systems.
- Waste Management and Public Health: Implementing sustainable waste management systems and promoting healthy diets through public health campaigns.
- Youth Skills Development: Creating apprenticeship programs, vocational training, and life-skills initiatives for youth.
- Improving State Capabilities: Strengthening the capacity of local and central governments to manage urban challenges, with a focus on financing, human resource development, and forging productive partnerships with non-state actors.
- The authors stress the importance of community participation in governance and propose that economists, urban researchers, and other stakeholders provide urban policy advice without being seen as political opposition.
- Other proposed initiatives include: i) the Kawenja Plastic Waste Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub aims to improve a slum upgrading project in Kisenyi III, focusing on flood control and livelihood enhancement. It will create a network of plastic waste collectors, conduct a situation analysis, and collaborate with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and other agencies. The initiative will involve procuring and installing equipment to formalize recycling efforts. ii) Improved Hygiene and Sanitation at Ggaba Market: To address hygiene and sanitation challenges faced by food vendors, the report proposes the installation of a sludge transfer tank and a three-wheeler vehicle at Ggaba Market. This intervention aims to enhance sanitation standards and create a healthier environment for both vendors and customers.
Remarks from Key Stakeholders
The meeting was attended by representatives from government and non-government organizations, as well as leaders from the Kampala Capital City Authority, who shared insights into the city’s development challenges and proposed several reforms for improvement.
Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, Minister of State for Urban Development
In his address, Hon. Mario Obiga Kania, Minister of State for Urban Development encouraged city leaders to view Kampala’s challenges as opportunities for growth. He highlighted the city’s potential to generate revenue for Uganda and emphasized the need for systemic improvements in service delivery. The Minister commended the researchers and committed to supporting the implementation of their recommendations. “Research should be viewed as a tool for solving issues, not just lamenting over them. Our leaders need to recognize Kampala as an integral part of Uganda’s governance due to its vital role in the country’s development. We must prioritize making Kampala thrive, as it is the central hub for commercial activity. City planning should accommodate and support informal trade effectively. Moving forward, we must focus on reducing youth unemployment through life-skills programs. Additionally, there is an urgent need to improve waste management, enhance financial literacy, and better regulate refugee affairs.”
The Lord Mayor of Kampala
Briefing participants on the city development challenges, the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago expressed concern over the growing political interference and the lack of funding for planned activities. “On several occasions, we have struggled to address issues of physical planning, yet Kampala still lacks a structural plan. The Directorate of Physical Planning at KCCA is the least funded. While Kampala boasts of the best natural environment, its built environment is among the worst. There is a pressing need to transform the city’s vast slums into the ‘Garden City of Africa’.” He expressed gratitude to ACRC for the report, noting that its findings would be crucial in guiding the implementation of reforms in the City.
Vice Chancellor’s address
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, represented by Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, expressed appreciation to the ACRC research team for dedicating their time and resources to investigate the challenges hindering progress in the city. “As Vice Chancellor, I acknowledge the significant role our university plays in shaping the future of Kampala and Uganda. Our mission to foster innovation, research, and education must address the challenges of urban development, enabling us to create sustainable solutions for growth. A key issue is the growing demand for housing, driven by Kampala’s rapid population growth. However, the supply of affordable, quality housing has not kept up, resulting in overcrowded slums and poor living conditions. As an academic institution, we are well-placed to contribute by researching affordable building technologies, promoting sustainable urban planning, and collaborating with policymakers to ensure equitable housing for all.”
Commenting on the challenges posed by the city’s population growth, the Vice Chancellor pointed out the inadequacies in transport infrastructure and waste management. He stressed the importance of collaborating with researchers to develop alternative transportation models, smart mobility solutions, and urban planning that prioritizes walkability while reducing reliance on private cars. Additionally, he highlighted the need for further research into waste-to-energy technologies, the creation of sustainable waste management systems, and the promotion of environmentally responsible practices.
“As Kampala expands, we must also consider the preservation of its natural environment. Green spaces, parks, and urban forests are essential for the well-being of the city’s inhabitants. They provide recreational areas, improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the city,” he explained.
Mr. Joseph Walter Pade, the Commissioner, Urban Development at the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, emphasized the need to involve the entire country in addressing the challenges facing Kampala. He also highlighted the importance of changing mindsets to tackle the city’s development issues.
The Dean of the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Dr. Revocatus Twinomuhangi, commended the research team for the excellent work and called for the wider dissemination of the findings to maximize their impact.
Agriculture & Environment
Mak, CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform drive equitable & inclusive agricultural development through enhanced gender & agriculture curricula
****In this blog, we share about efforts to enhance the gender and agriculture curriculum as an avenue to drive equitable and inclusive agricultural development. This work was done through a partnership between the Makerere University and the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform.
Overview
Gender equality is a key pillar to achieving sustainable development goals. However, in agrifood systems, achieving these goals has been a challenge because of the complex social and gender relations that govern most communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Although agriculture remains the backbone of many economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing livelihoods for a significant proportion of the population, gender inequalities are prevalent in this sector. For example, several gender-based constraints contribute to gender yield gaps. In addition, despite their immense contributions, women often face systemic barriers in agriculture as a result of social norms, which limit their access to and control over productive resources, decision-making processes, and agricultural extension services.
These disparities not only undermine gender equality but also constrain agricultural productivity, food security, and rural development. Addressing challenges such as these requires an understanding of the intersection between gender and agricultural development, which can inform policies and programming in the sector. One avenue to understanding and tackling these complex issues is through equipping professionals in agricultural-related fields with the necessary skills and knowledge through relevant curricula in institutions of higher learning.
University curricula as a pathway to tackle gender in agriculture-related issues
In a move to contribute to addressing the gap in gender-related knowledge and skills among agricultural professionals, the Gender-responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation (GREAT) Phase 3 initiative – a collaboration between Makerere and the CGIAR GENDER Platform – fortified the existing gender and agriculture curricula at Makerere University that was last updated more than 10 years ago. The course materials were revamped to align with changing needs and the latest knowledge and best practices in gender and agrifood systems. Graduates of these programs are to be equipped to handle the challenges in the world of work in gender and agriculture. The same initiative also supported the development of two innovative postgraduate programs in gender and agriculture at Makerere University– a Masters and a Post Graduate Diploma, due to be launched soon. These aim to provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research, and services responsive to dynamic national and global needs.
A consultative approach to gender and agriculture curriculum development
Recognizing the need for collaborative curriculum design, Makerere University conducted physical and online stakeholder consultations in the last quarter of 2024. The physical workshop held in Kampala, Uganda, was attended by a diverse group of experts in gender, agriculture, monitoring and evaluation, and university management, among others. The online survey, targeting a diverse audience of experts in gender and agriculture globally, attracted over 70 respondents from 22 countries across five regions – Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. The experts (mainly in gender studies, rural development, and agricultural economics) were from academia, national agricultural institutes, CGIAR centers, NGOs, and international organizations. The purpose of the consultation was to gather respondents’ perceptions about the relevance of the post-graduate programs, key competencies students should have upon completion of the programs, priority topics, and any existing materials they believed would be beneficial to adapt or incorporate into this curriculum, among other things.
Priority topics suggested by stakeholders include: gender concepts and why gender matters in agriculture, gender and climate change, inter-sectionality, gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation, women’s empowerment, gender transformative approaches, gender-responsive research design, data collection, analysis and reporting, and gender and seed systems. These are some of the topics that have been integrated into the curricula. They are also part of the improved existing undergraduate and graduate programs shared as open-access materials to allow other teachers and teaching institutes across the globe to draw on these efforts for their own courses.
Longer-term postgraduate programs Vs short- term courses
The post-graduate programs draw inspiration from the GREAT program, which was instrumental in training over 360 agricultural researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia since 2015. Lessons from GREAT revealed the need for longer and more extensive academic offerings to develop professionals who can lead transformative change in the sector. In line with this, the majority of the consulted stakeholders (87 percent) rated the postgraduate programs as very important as opposed to short-term courses. They emphasized the need for longer-term educational initiatives to deepen theoretical understanding and practical application. This would help to create a pool of experts/ gender-responsive professionals capable of advocating for equity at every level of the agrifood system, filling the gaps in capacity that short-term training programs do not usually address.
Proposed structure and next steps
The programs will adopt an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from agriculture, gender studies, sociology, and rural development. Stakeholders also proposed that the programs leverage existing resources, such as CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform materials and evidence explainers, and FAO resources on gender and agriculture, while ensuring continuous evaluation and updates to remain relevant to evolving needs. Partner universities in Uganda that are developing similar programs include: Mountains of the Moon University in Western Uganda, University of the Sacred Heart Gulu, and Muni University in Northern Uganda.
With revamped training materials and these new academic programs on gender and agriculture, Makerere University contributes to higher education that can drive systemic change in agriculture. These programs will empower change-makers who will shape the future of agriculture into one that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Resources:
Report: Online Consultation on new programs in Gender and agriculture, October 2024
Report: Consultative Workshop on new programs in Gender and agriculture, September 2024.
Revised Gender and Agriculture Course materials: https://muele.mak.ac.ug/course/view.php?id=11805
By Elizabeth Asiimwe, Losira Nasirumbi Sanya, and Marlène Elias.
For more information, please contact:
Florence Birungi Kyazze, PhD
Senior Lecturer and GREAT Project P.I
Department of Extension and Innovation Studies
Email: fbirungikyazze@gmail.com
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