Main Theme: Nature-based and Bankable Nature Solutions for Environmental Sustainability “Leaving No One Behind”
Host: UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Transboundary Water Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro Tanzania
Dates: 13th-17th November 2023:
Venue: National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC)- Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro Tanzania
Introduction
Our world faces many major challenges with regards to sustainable flow of ecosystem services. The negative impacts that arise from biodiversity loss and climate change are felt by nature and people across the globe. The number of natural disasters increases, pandemics rise, extreme weather conditions, wildlife and other species are in decline. Healthy nature and ecosystems are key for human wellbeing, development and environmental sustainability. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been set up to counter the stated challenges. Yet, as the World Economic Forum points out there is a US$ 2,5 trillion investment gap per year, as only US$1,4 trillion of the required US$3,9 trillion is invested each year to reach the SDGs by 2030. For preserving and restoring ecosystems alone, the required investment is estimated between US$300 billion to US$400 billion, here as, only US$52 billion is being invested in such projects. With money only from governments and philanthropy we will never be able to fill this funding gap. Some asset managers and conservation experts have suggested that the private sector (especially banks and other financial institutions) could close more than half of this funding gap by setting up profitable enterprises with a positive impact to the nature and environment too.
Building conservation and nature-based solutions (NbS) and bankable nature solutions (BNS) into projects represents a massive opportunity. We need to work with companies, band and other financial institutions and local stakeholders to develop NbS and BNS. Through this way, we can deliver impacts that reduce pressure on ecosystems, drive resilience and sustainability for both people and nature, while generating positive financial returns for communities and investors. That is why different conservation organizations are working effortlessly under the umbrella of NbS and BNS to set up conservation and bankable projects across a wide array of landscapes. Part of this work is done through mobilising funds for climate and development programs. Through initiatives, we can be instrumental in getting NbS and BNS underway and to serve as a catalyst for other conservation and bankable projects around the world.
Rationale for the Nature-based solutions (NbS) and bankable nature solutions (BNS)
Nature-based solutions (NbS) and bankable nature solutions (BNS) help to plan, deliberate the use of ecosystem services to improve flow of ecosystem services and increase resilience to climate change and variability. They are typically adopted to bring about more sustainable conservation outcomes.
They contribute to the improved management of nature conservation of ecologically sensitive environments and managing critical ecosystems. For instance, NBS have the ability to improve the income of poor people thereby prohibiting them from degrading nature and the environment as a whole. The two approaches entail sustainable management and use of natural features and processes to tackle socio-environmental challenges. These are actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively, adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. The two can also be integrated to enhance landscape conservation, restoration and bring about positive financial cash flows that can be used to attract for profit investors.
Objective of the training
To equip trainees with ample knowledge NbS and BNS for environmental sustainability, societal needs and ecosystem resilience.
Target group / who can apply
The primary candidates for this training course are young scientists working in the conservation sector, banks and other financial institutions, development practitioners, higher learning and research institutions, non-governmental conservation organizations, protected areas authorities, central and local government, to name just a few.
How to apply
Interested applicants are required to submit the following:
3 pages CV with contact information of two referees
Proof of support (institutional/private) to pay registration fee (USD 300)
I page motivation letter
Front page of a valid passport (for foreign applicants)
Trainees who successfully complete the training will receive Certificates of Attendance.
For questions and clarifications, kindly do not hesitate to contact:
Makarius C.S. Lalika, PhD. Chairholder and Coordinator UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Transboundary Water Management, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 1st Floor-Former iAGRI Premises, P.O. Box 3038 Morogoro TANZANIA Email: makariua.lalika@yahoo.com, lalika_2mc@sua.ac.tz, Cell: +255 754 201 306
The College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) is one of the 9 constituent colleges of Makerere University, dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and education in Uganda.
Comprising two schools and seven departments, CoNAS offers cutting-edge research and academic programs across diverse fields, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biological sciences.
The College is committed to nurturing innovative thinkers and leaders who can tackle the complex challenges of today’s world through scientific exploration and discovery. With a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, CoNAS plays a central role in shaping Uganda’s scientific and technological future. It fosters a culture of critical thinking, problem-solving, and sustainable development. The College’s distinguished faculty, state-of-the-art laboratories, and collaborative research initiatives continue to inspire and develop world-class professionals who make significant contributions to both national and global progress.
This edition of the report highlights the activities and achievements of 2024, aligned with the University’s strategic focus on Innovative Teaching and Learning, Research, Innovations and Technology Transfer, and Strategic Engagement and Partnerships.
Transitioning from university life to the professional world can be a daunting experience for many graduates. This challenge is particularly pronounced in Uganda, the broader East African region, and across Africa, where many university leavers find themselves ill-equipped to face the realities of life after school. Issues such as limited career guidance, lack of personal development resources, and insufficient awareness of societal expectations leave many graduates unprepared for what lies ahead.
According to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the youth unemployment rate in the country stands at approximately 13.3%. Each year, over 400,000 graduates join the job market, all vying for a mere 9,000 available formal employment opportunities. This staggering imbalance creates a climate of intense competition, often resulting in widespread disillusionment, anxiety, and in severe cases, depression – largely due to the absence of structured transition programmes to support young people during this critical phase of life.
While some graduates manage to find employment, launch entrepreneurial ventures, or pursue further academic study, many others struggle with prolonged unemployment or underemployment. This vulnerable group is at risk of turning to detrimental coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, criminal activity, or social withdrawal. One of the root causes of this unpreparedness is the lack of mentorship and real-world guidance in key areas such as workplace conduct, professional ethics, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal financial management.
In response to this pressing need, the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) at Makerere University, through its School of Biosciences, has launched an innovative initiative – the Terminal Seminar/Symposium for Final-Year Students. Spearheaded by Heads of Departments within the School, the seminar is designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the realities of post-university life by equipping students with essential life and career skills.
Dr Kubiriza addressing participants.
Objectives of the Terminal Seminar
The seminar aims to:
Impart practical knowledge on workplace ethics, professional behaviour, and employability.
Cultivate entrepreneurial thinking and leadership skills, enabling students to create their own opportunities.
Provide strategies for coping with unemployment, social pressure, and the transition period.
Raise awareness about mental health and equip students with tools to manage transition-related stress.
Offer insights into navigating employment in public and private sectors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the global job market.
Prof. Juma Kasozi, Deputy Principal of CoNAS, praised the initiative as a timely and strategic intervention that would equip students with practical skills and emotional resilience for today’s dynamic job market.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the programme, students are expected to:
Gain a broader awareness of career and self-employment opportunities.
Develop realistic expectations about the challenges and opportunities post-university.
Experience reduced levels of frustration and vulnerability to harmful behaviours.
Build connections and networks with industry professionals and mentors.
Mr. John Walugembe, Executive Director of the Federation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Uganda, highlighted the value of time management and integrity in building a successful career.
2025 Terminal Seminar Event Highlights
On 23rd April 2025, CoNAS held its flagship Terminal Seminar for Final Year students set to complete their studies in June 2025. The seminar was coordinated by Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, Head, Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences, with support from Dr. Barbra Nerima and Dr. Joel Isanga, both faculty members from the Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology.
Mr. John Walugembe addresses participants.
The event featured a series of empowering sessions, designed to help students navigate the transition from academic life to the professional world. Key topics included career planning, workplace ethics, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being.
A line-up of seasoned professionals and motivational speakers – including Mr. John Walugembe, Executive Director of the Federation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Uganda, and Dr. Catherine Mbidde, Ag Director, Makerere University Innovations Pod (UniPod), also Lecturer at the School of Business at CoBAMS, shared their personal journeys, professional insights, and practical advice for thriving beyond the university walls. Other Speakers included Dr. Alex Behakanira from the Department of Mathematics, Makerere University; Mr. Henry Nsubuga, Manager, Counselling and Guidance Centre, Makerere University; Mr. Maurice Ssebisubi, Senior Programme Officer (Fisheries and Environment) at the Embassy of Iceland; and Ms. Sylvia Kajubi, Deputy Principal at the Insurance Training College of Uganda.
Dr. Catherine Mbidde, Acting Director of the Makerere University Innovation Pod, addressed students on leveraging the digital landscape to boost their careers.
Sharing his personal journey, Mr. John Walugembe offered valuable insights to students, emphasizing the critical importance of time management in shaping a successful career. He encouraged them to cultivate patience, resilience, and integrity as they transition from academic life into the professional world.
Mr. Walugembe also urged the students to maintain an open mind when approaching the job market. “You should not confine yourselves to roles within your academic fields. Remain open to exploring a wide range of opportunities that may arise. You need to approach the job market with flexibility,” he advised.
In his remarks, Dr. Alex Behakanira from the Department of Mathematics, Makerere University emphasized the need to remain open-minded and adaptable.
In addition, he highlighted the dual significance of academic excellence and strong professional networks, noting that good grades can open doors, but relationships and connections often determine how far one can go in their career journey. “The best way to build networks is to improve your value,” he advised.
Addressing the students on how to leverage the digital landscape to advance their careers, Dr. Catherine Mbidde emphasized the transformative potential of digital tools in shaping future opportunities. She, however, expressed concern over the growing trend of digital tool misuse – platforms that could otherwise be harnessed to explore career paths and unlock job prospects.
Mr. Maurice Ssebisubi, Senior Programme Officer (Fisheries and Environment) at the Embassy of Iceland, also an alumnus of CoNAS sharing his experiences.
Dr. Mbidde urged the students to invest in nurturing their entrepreneurial skills, encouraging them to proactively develop plans, engage in regular self-assessment, and seek out mentors who can offer guidance and support along their professional journeys. She underscored the importance of spiritual grounding, advising students to cultivate a strong relationship with God as a source of direction and resilience in navigating the complexities of their career paths.
Mr. Basiima Collins from UniPod emphasized the importance of a mind-set shift as graduates navigate their career paths. He urged students to actively participate in networking events and foster an entrepreneurial mind-set, stressing that these actions are essential for personal and professional growth. “By embracing opportunities for networking, you can build valuable connections and open doors to new possibilities. Additionally, cultivating an entrepreneurial mind-set allows you to approach challenges with creativity, resilience, and a proactive attitude, which are crucial qualities for success in today’s dynamic job market.”
Dr Joel Isanga from the Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology at CoNAS moderated the session.
Addressing students on the significance of mental health in the journey of career development, Dr. Alex Behakanira emphasized the need to remain open-minded and adaptable. He noted that although job opportunities may appear scarce, the broader landscape of opportunities remains vast and ever-evolving. Dr. Behakanira encouraged students to strive for relevance not only in their professional environments but also within their homes and communities, underlining the importance of being well-rounded individuals. Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Henry Nsubuga stressed the importance of safeguarding one’s mental well-being throughout their career path. He advised students to cultivate a resilient mind-set and to be intentional about steering clear of situations that may lead to emotional distress or depression.
Dr. Joel Isanga moderates the session.
In his remarks, Prof. Juma Kasozi, the Deputy Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and Head of Academics, expressed his appreciation for the initiative. He commended the effort as a timely and strategic intervention aimed at equipping students with the practical knowledge and emotional resilience necessary to navigate the dynamic and often challenging world of work. Prof. Kasozi emphasized that such initiatives play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. He extended sincere gratitude to the seminar coordinators, praising their foresight and dedication in conceptualizing and organizing the programme.
The Terminal Seminar will be held on an annual basis.
The Dean, School of Biosciences at CoNAS, Prof. Arthur Tugume graced the event.Some of the Final Year students at the seminar.Some of the students who participated in the session alongside the organizers and guest speakers.
Due to the frequent use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and treatment of poultry by Ugandan farmers, antibiotic resistance is on the rise. This has resulted in an outbreak of poultry and human diseases in addition to drug residues in chicken meat being consumed by the majority of Ugandans. Thus, “If you are eating chicken daily then you could be at a high risk.” These residues have spilled into the environment and also contaminated the food for the indigenous free-range chicken which people thought were safer to eat. Interestingly, some consumers think cooking chicken can reduce antibiotic residue levels, but it does not completely remove them. Boiling or frying chicken can cause antibiotic residues to migrate into the cooking liquid, but they don’t guarantee full degradation or elimination.
Drugged chicken.What is being consumed.
Looking at the situation at hand, I went back to our indigenous knowledge systems in a quest to formulate an organic poultry feed since natural solutions have proven safer, effective, and sustainable. But remember, to break the cycle or solve any problem, we have to start from the roots and this is by improving the diet for our poultry and ruling out the use of conventional antibiotics. Thus, I went ahead to investigate natural bacteriocins and phytobiotics which I integrated into a special feed for chicken. In addition to the feed is a probiotic solution for gut health.
Phyto-Nutra pellets and their packaging.
Special thanks to the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) for funding this research to prototypes.
Phyto-Nutra pellets and booster in their packaging.
Soon we will commence bulk processing and take the feed to the market but before that, we will scientifically validate the feed through efficiency testing in comparison with imported feeds and Uganda-produced feeds. Furthermore, we will produce different feeds to meet the needs of the different types of chicken (broilers, layers, dual-purpose). This will put our product in a better place on the market and also be able to convince our customers with concrete scientific evidence. In addition, we want to change the mindsets of the majority of Ugandans, especially poultry farmers, and let them understand that Organic poultry farming is the best as it results in quality meat, quality eggs, quality fertilizer, and more returns/ profits.
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi.
In conclusion, we need to embrace our indigenous systems and remember that once we were healthier without cancer, strange disease conditions, and rampant fertility issues. This is majorly because we consumed clean food as opposed to now where our food is highly contaminated with drug residues.
Dr. Alice Nabatanzi is a Senior Lecturer in the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University