General
The 19th RUFORUM AGM in Yaoundé calls for consolidated efforts towards transforming higher agricultural & tertiary education to contribute to sustainable development & food security in Africa
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a consortium of 163 universities in 40 African countries held its 19th Annual General Meeting at the Palais De Congres in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 28th October to 2nd November 2023. The first of its kind in West and Central Africa, the RUFORUM AGM 2023 provided an opportunity for over 600 delegates from Africa and beyond including; Ministers, Development Partners, University leaders, students, private sector leaders; farmers and farmer representatives; emerging and early career researchers as well as other key stakeholders in agriculture and higher education to share experiences and chart a way forward for transforming higher agricultural and tertiary education to contribute to sustainable development in Africa under the theme: Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa.
Officially opened by His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon, represented by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, Cameroon’s Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting in Yaoundé provided a platform for participants to deliberate on key strategies for transforming higher agricultural and tertiary education to contribute to national, continental and global development as well as building consensus among key stakeholders in agriculture and higher education on the actions required to strengthen the role and/or integration of universities in agricultural and national development processes in line with the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 ‘The Africa We Want’.
In a speech presented by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo at the official opening ceremony, His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon stressed RUFORUM’s significant efforts to support the African Union Agenda 2063 when he said, “RUFORUM’s vision 2030, makes the body a significant contributor to transformation of Africa and vehemently seeks to harness the discovery, engagements and learning of vibrant transformative universities to catalyze sustainable, inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa.”
According to him, it is worth indicating that agriculture in Africa should be understood in its broadest sense to include but not limited to animal and crop production, livestock, wild life, fisheries and forestry. Hence RUFORUM’s mission since its inception in 2004, of strengthening the capacities of universities to foster innovation responsive to demands of small holder farmers through the training of higher quality researchers, the output of impact-oriented research and maintenance of collaborative working relations among researchers, farmers, national agricultural research institutions, the Private sector and government is worthy prioritizing.
He called upon participants to use the meeting forum to change the face and image of the African continent through constructive and fruitful deliberations on agricultural production, food safety research and better health food security. To him the RUFORUM AGM is a bigger opportunity to think and act, make proposals, formulate recommendations and necessary resolutions which if acted on can change the face of the African continent.
“This is the turning point for the African continent to think big and have the courage to dream big. This is our opportunity to make a difference in our world. This is the opportunity Africa needed to change the target of its demand of action. We have to mutualize and federate our actions and voices in the interest of a united, strong and prosperous Africa,” he said.
The 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting carried a unique vibrant turn as being the first to be held in West and Central Africa. The weeklong event broke the record as the most and well attended ever with over 600 participants across the region as well as international delegates. The colorful event was embroiled with informative, constructive, edutainment activities in form of pre-AGM events, side events, Business Meetings, capacity building and mentoring sessions, scientific conferences, poster sessions and exhibitions well aligned to key thematic areas as well as the AGM theme: Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa.
Additionally, high-level policy dialogues with Ministers, Senior Government Leaders and Development Partners were held to review the finance and other resource mobilization strategies as well as following up on the actualization of the available national, regional and global policies geared towards higher education transformation and ensuring of food security in Africa.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, the RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda thanked His Excellence Paul Biya and the Government of Cameroon for accepting to host the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting and equally appreciated the financial support towards the same cause.
In a special way, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji thanked the Ministry of State for Higher education and all the sister ministries of Government of Cameroon that worked hard to see to it that the 19th RUFORUM AGM is a success. Equally, the Board Chair, extended her sincere gratitude to the people of Cameroon for the warm reception and support.
“My special tribute goes to the members of AGM 2023 Sub committees. You have indeed done a great job throughout the ten months of organizing this significant event. On behalf of RUFORUM Network, I thank you. To the RUFORUM Secretariat under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Patrick Okwori, accept our immense gratitude for your strong determination and dedication,” she gratefully said.
She recognized the tremendous achievements and developments aligned to RUFORUM’s nineteen years (19) of existence noting that the strong network has wisely selected its priority areas of focus to transform higher education and agricultural sector in Africa as;
- Reform the training agenda for Africa to meet the development needs
- Entrepreneurship and business incubation for wealth creation
- Research for Development and wealth creation
- Partnerships for scale and impact
“As African people, permit me to use the adage of a broom; it is easy to break a single broom piece but when you combine several small brooms together they then make a broom stack that will not be easy to break. The collective power that RUFORUM has put together through 163 universities from across 40 countries bears such strength. The Vice Chancellors gathered here today remain committed to the core values and foundations of the network. To illustrate this Your Excellency, each of the Vice Chancellors meet their own costs of participation.” She happy said.
In the same spirit the RUFORUM Executive Secretary Prof. Patrick Okori deeply thanked the host Universities that is, University of Bamenda, University of Ngaoundere, University of Dschang, University of Buea and University of Maroua under the strong and able leadership of the RUFORUM Board Chair, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji for successfully hosting the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting.
He also recognized the Former Vice Chancellor of University of Ngaoundere Prof. Florence Uphie Chinje Melo who heavily supported the AGM preparations. He was astonished with the presence of the Africa Development Bank, MasterCard Foundation, research international communities, RUFORUM for Agricultural Research in Africa, the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services, sub regional Agricultural organizations such as the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF).
“You have all provided support for this engagement, thank you very much. Together we will continue this journey of transforming Africa’s Agricultural and higher education to produce human resources and development solutions that Africa and indeed the world needs,” he said.
Reflecting on the AGM’s theme, Prof. Okori emphasized the need for Africa to become food secure when he said, “Africa must be an equal opportunity creator for the young generation, it must create wealth for its people and provide opportunities for the present and future and these are well summarized in agenda 2063. It is our collective duty therefore to turn these opportunities and actions into investment.”
According to him, the RUFORUM Network remains strong in building capacity and providing the necessary development solutions and opportunities. He noted that Africa generates about 10-12 million job entrants annually but the continent’s economy in its current configuration can only produce 3 million jobs. To him, for Africa to therefore reap from its demographic dividends, there is need to strengthen the paths to demographic transition of keeping young girls in school.
Prof. Okori also mentioned that RUFORUM is currently intensifying its inclusion and diversity targets. From 45%, the network has an ambitious target of at least 70%. “We must slow the rate at which girls give birth when young. It is the only way we are going to benefit from our population dividend,” he said.
According to him, the higher degree needs for Africa is pretty dire. The World Bank recommends 10,000 PhDs to Africa. This can be compared to India whose signal population of 1. 4 billion registers 24000 PhDs a year. The pressure therefore on Africa’s side to intensify graduate training is real.
“Our graduate training in sciences therefore is one of the drivers to achieve this and it is the immense reason as to why in this meeting we have social and development partners. We are launching a journey with the Africa Development Bank that will bring us together as apex organizations in Africa to work together and solve our own challenges. However, as we do all these, we need to celebrate Africa. We should be recognizing and celebrating people who made what Africa is today,” he said.
Africa is informed by a number of important mutually interacting factors that collectively, are affecting the growth and progress of the continent. The economic outlook of the African continent in 2023 by the African Development Bank and other global apex development financial institutions was positive. However, Africa’s economic growth has since then decelerated, and is now projected to be lower than the previously projected rate of 4.1%.
Agriculture a key sector, continues to be affected by both natural and human induced factors. It continues to face serious threats from climate. Studies by the United Nation’s Convention to Combat Desertification show that Africa accounts for 44% of severe droughts recorded globally in the last 50 years, causing economic losses of more than USD 70 billion. In 2022, an estimated loss of US$ 8.5 billion in economic damages was experienced due to climate change. Clearly, climate change and weather variability, remains one of the grand challenges of the 21st century for Africa and the World, because it affects key livelihood and strategic areas of emerging economies.
Unemployment facing Africa’s dominant demographic-the youth, raises questions about education, skilling and jobs creation while inclusion and diversity, the underpinning for an equal society, remains challenging. The question then to academia, researchers, development practitioners and policymakers is, “what step must we take right now to address the challenges to our current and future generations?”
“Our resounding response as RUFORUM is in line with what Malcolm X said many years ago, “Education and research for development are the passports to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” said Prof. Partick Okori.
According to the Deputy Minister for Education in Malawi, Her Excellence Mdooko Nancy Chawola who represented the visiting ministers of RUFORUM partner countries, African countries should put in place vibrant resource mobilization mechanisms to collectively finance Africa’s education and support governments that are battling with competitive budgetary demands.
“For the universities to offer solutions for the challenges the continent is facing, there is need to rebuild the curriculum that responds to our current needs and not what we needed yesterday. Our respective countries are grappling with higher levels of unemployment, can investors assist by producing graduates with entrepreneurial skills so that they are able to employ themselves and others. Of course there will be need to put in place support mechanism for such graduates to take over,” she said.
She equally acknowledged the national regulatory frameworks such as the Malawi Regulation Framework 2063 developed inline with the African Union Agenda 2063 the Africa we want, in which the continent aspires to be prosperous by 2063 through various means such as modernizing agricultural for increased production and productivity there by making people food secure.
She applauded RUFORUM’s efforts towards zero hunger in Africa through its vision 2030. According to Mdooko Nancy Chawola, food security is supposed be prerogative as well highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) that is geared towards ending hunger, attaining food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable development.
In Cameroon, Agriculture and Education have been prioritized as drivers for economic growth and transformation. Through an agricultural flagship program initiated by His Excellence Paul Biya, science programmes and financial services as well as favorable ways of accessing market have been introduced in the country with the aim of transforming agricultural sector into a value added industrialized and integrated system engine of economic growth.
According to Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga- Vice Chancellor, University Buea, the government of Cameroon has resolved to grant its people with education that can help them manage their personal, national and Africa’s present and future economic destiny. In 2022, His excellence Paul Biya endorsed the recruitment process of 2000 lecturers in universities to ensure the quality of higher education in Cameroon.
“Collectively these education reforms and investment actions affordably can transform the people of Cameroon into a strong emerging market. Cameroon carries the highest science female adoptive rate in sub-Saharan Africa at 73%. This is a strong result of government delivery of United Nations SDG 5 of achieving education and build human capital for the country,” he noted.
The Opening Ceremony for the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting unlocked the floor for critical discussions and meetings throughout the week. At the same function, RUFORUM presented a contemporary painting to His Excellence Paul Biya, President of the United Republic of Cameroon in recognition of his outstanding, selfless and patriotic services s to the people of Cameroon and Africa at large.
On 25th October 2023, the RUFORUM Network equally participated in the Cameroon Higher Education Day, the first of its kind in the country.
General
RIMS Implementation to End Supervision Delays, Enhance Transparency, Close Gaps and Boost Research Excellence at Makerere University
By Moses Lutaaya
Kampala, Uganda — 27th March 2026: Makerere University has intensified its push toward digital transformation in graduate education with the implementation of the Research Information Management System (RIMS), a platform expected to end supervision delays, enhance transparency, close long-standing gaps, and boost research excellence.
Leading this shift, the Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University, Prof. Julius Kikooma, emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing collaboration with academic units.
“Our visit to the Institute of Gender and Development Studies is part of continuous engagement to strengthen graduate training,” Prof. Kikooma said. “RIMS is not just about technology—it is about improving how students and supervisors work together, how progress is tracked, and how the university ensures quality and timely completion.”
He noted that the university is already making strides in graduate output, citing a recent milestone of over 200 PhD graduates, with 40 percent female representation—an indicator of progress toward gender equity.
“We want to push that to 50 percent,” he said. “RIMS will help us get there by providing data, improving coordination, and addressing inefficiencies in supervision and monitoring.”
Prof. Kikooma emphasized that the system will also support the university’s broader goals, including internationalization and improved research productivity, by streamlining application, supervision, and reporting processes.
“With digitization now fully underway, we cannot go back,” he said. “RIMS will allow supervisors to track student performance in real time, and management will be able to access accurate reports at the click of a button.”
He added that adoption of the system is mandatory for all academic staff, noting that it will become a key tool for measuring performance and institutional accountability.
Building on this vision, Prof. Ruth Nsibirano, Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, highlighted how RIMS will directly address supervision gaps that have historically affected graduate completion.
“I’m very certain RIMS is going to bridge the gap between supervisors and supervisees,” she said. “It will ensure constant updates, structured engagement, and clear records of progress for every student.”
Prof. Nsibirano explained that one of the major challenges in the past has been the lack of visibility in supervision, where both students and supervisors operated without clear documentation of their interactions.
“Knowledge of what was happening was often missing because supervisors and students remained distant,” she said. “Now, there will be records showing when supervision took place, what was discussed, and who has not been responsive.”
She noted that this transparency will significantly improve efficiency and reduce delays on both sides.
“Both students and supervisors will know that their work is being tracked,” she said. “This awareness alone will improve accountability and reduce unnecessary delays.”
However, she cautioned that while RIMS will strengthen supervision systems, financial challenges facing graduate students remain a critical issue.
“We must also address the reality of limited financial support,” she said. “Even with strong systems, students still need resources to complete their studies.”
Prof. Nsibirano expressed confidence that both staff and students are ready to adopt the digital platform, noting that familiarity with technology is no longer a major barrier.
At the operational level, Dr. Julius Mugisa, Coordinator of Graduate Studies at the Institute, underscored the practical impact RIMS will have on day-to-day supervision.
“In fact, it is a very good system. It will facilitate easy supervision,” Dr. Mugisa said. “Previously, you could send comments to a student and wait five weeks without a response. Now, the system will clearly show who is delaying and who is not.”
He emphasized that the transparency of RIMS will eliminate guesswork and misunderstandings by ensuring that all supervision activities are recorded and accessible.
“There will be clear evidence of engagement—comments, timelines, and responses,” he said. “This removes the blame game and helps everyone focus on progress.”
Dr. Mugisa dismissed concerns that increased monitoring might intimidate supervisors, instead framing it as a positive step toward professionalism.
“We are here to do our work for the university,” he said. “The system is not about punishment—it is about improving efficiency and ensuring that responsibilities are fulfilled.”
He added that the accountability introduced by RIMS will encourage timely feedback and active participation from both supervisors and students.
“When you know the system is tracking progress, it helps you stay on course,” he said. “Monitoring is important, and it benefits everyone.”
Dr. Mugisa also noted that improved supervision and faster feedback could enhance Makerere University’s attractiveness to prospective graduate students.
“Students want assurance that their work will be reviewed on time,” he said. “With RIMS, that confidence will increase, and more students will be encouraged to enroll.”
As Makerere University continues to implement RIMS across its academic units, leaders believe the system will mark a turning point in graduate education—driving efficiency, strengthening accountability, closing supervision gaps, and positioning the institution as a leader in research excellence in Africa.
Staff members from the Office of the Dean of Students have undergone a hands-on training on fire safety and prevention in halls of residence.
The training, held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at University Hall, focused on equipping custodians and wardens with essential skills and knowledge on fire prevention, evacuation procedures and response strategies in case of emergencies.
“In our safeguarding initiatives, we want to create an environment that is safe and secure for our students and staff. Given that we have experienced fires at the University, we decided to train custodians and wardens because they are the first responders and decision-makers in case a fire breaks out in any Hall of Residence,” said Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students.
In 2020, Makerere University’s Main Building, commonly known as the Ivory Tower, caught fire, destroying valuable property. Earlier in 2018, a fire gutted Mary Stuart Hall, a female residence. The fire, which started in the ground-floor canteen, spread to other floors but was successfully contained by the Uganda Police.
Speaking in February 2025 during the release of the 2024 Annual Crime Report at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, the Director of Fires and Rescue Services, AIGP Stephen Tanui, revealed that Kampala Metropolitan recorded the highest number of fire incidents in the Country with 933 cases in 2024.
He warned that Uganda’s rapid urbanisation would increase fire incidents unless deliberate prevention measures are adopted.
“We have had fire incidents at Africa Hall, Nsibirwa and Livingstone. Some students also prepare their own meals, which increases the risk of fire outbreaks. It is therefore timely for our staff to acquire basic knowledge on fire prevention and how to respond effectively when a fire occurs,” Dr. Kabumbuli noted.
Speaking to the participants, Mr. Levi Mwesigye, a certified fire safety trainer with NCOSAH Consults (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), emphasized the importance of proactive fire prevention. He explained that three elements, heat, fuel and oxygen are necessary for a fire to exist.
“Always ensure that fire detection systems are in place to identify fires at an early stage. Additionally, ensure fire protection systems such as portable extinguishers are functional and regularly serviced so that fires can be contained promptly,” advised.
In his presentation, Mr. Mwesigye also urged Wardens to install clear directional signage in Halls of Residence to enhance safety and facilitate quick evacuation during emergencies.
“Fires spread much faster than you might think. Always have a backup escape plan in case your main escape route becomes blocked. If you can’t put out the fire in 5 secondsor less, the fire is too large. Get out and always prioritize persons with disabilities, women, the sick, and other vulnerable individuals to ensure they are evacuated safely,” Mr. Mwesigye, said.
Apart from training the staff about fire safety at the University, the staff also received fire prevention tips applicable to their homes such as; never to sleep in a house without water, to always have a centralized place where they keep the house key so that it is easy to find during evacuation.
“For those who have gas cylinders at home, in case of a leakage, open doors and windows to reduce the concentration of gas. If the cylinder catches fire, soak a towel or blanket in water and use it to cover the cylinder. This can help to put out the fire,” Mr. Mwesigye explained.
When using a fire extinguisher
Participants received practical demonstrations on the use of fire extinguishers and learned how to identify and manage small-scale fires before they escalate into life-threatening emergencies. Tips included:
- Stand several feet away from the fire, only moving closer once the fire starts to diminish.
- Use a slow, sweeping motion and aim the fire extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
- If possible, use a “buddy system” to have someone back you up or to call for help if something goes wrong.
- Be sure to watch the area for a while to ensure the fire does not re-ignite.
Deciding to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Before attempting to put out a fire with a portable fire extinguisher, one must quickly answer the following questions:
- Have the building’s occupants been notified?
- Has someone called the Fire Brigade?
- Are the exit routes clear and safely accessible?
- Do I have the right type of extinguisher for the type of fire?
- Is the extinguisher large enough for the fire?
- Is the fire small and containable?
If the Answer to the above is NO, Then;
- Leave the building immediately.
- Shut all doors as you leave to slow the spread of the fire.
- As soon as you get out of the building, call the Police.
Education
Makerere University Charts New Future with the unveiling of the Open, Distance and E‑Learning Building and Strategic Plan
By Harriet Musinguzi, CEDAT
Makerere University has embarked on a transformative journey in higher education with the official launch of its Open, Distance and E‑Learning (ODeL) Strategic Plan and the laying of the foundation stone for a new ODeL facility at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT). The event, attended by dignitaries, university leaders, and international partners, marked a milestone in Uganda’s quest to harness digital technology for accessible, innovative, and inclusive education.
Presiding over the ceremony, Ms. Jihee Ahn, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), underscored the spirit of collaboration that has defined the project. She praised the collective efforts of Korean partners, Makerere’s project management team, and the construction and consulting teams.
Quoting an African proverb, she reminded the audience that “a single stick cannot make fire”, emphasizing that the success of the initiative lies in shared purpose and unity. Drawing from Korean wisdom, she added, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” noting that this launch is the first step toward positioning Makerere as a leader in open and distance education across Africa.
“This new building will not be just a physical structure but a driving force that advances our shared vision,” Ms. Ahn said. “KOICA looks forward to continued cooperation with Makerere University and all partners as we move forward together.” she added.
Representing the University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara, Dr. Silas Ngabirano highlighted the broader significance of the ODeL project. He described it as a turning point in bridging the gap between traditional teaching methods and modern learning needs. “This project is more than just providing technology,” he said. “It’s about enhancing capacity for our students, faculty, and staff. It’s about making education more accessible and affordable, fostering innovation, creativity, and lifelong learning.” He urged staff and students to embrace the opportunities offered by online distance learning, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to supporting initiatives that expand access to higher education.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali, emphasized that e‑learning is a central pillar in Makerere’s Strategic Plan (2026–2030). She noted that the initiative aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, which prioritizes digital transformation by 2030.
“ODeL provides opportunities for students inside and outside Uganda to engage in learning, access cutting-edge research, and participate in innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said. “Now that ODeL is getting a home, there is no excuse for not delivering.”
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to KOICA and the people of Korea for the US$12.2 milliongrant, describing it as a testament to Makerere’s reputation as a center of academic excellence and innovation. He also acknowledged the support of Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Principal Investigator, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, outlined three core components of the project: the development of the ODeL Masterplan, the enhancement of e‑learning infrastructure through a state‑of‑the‑art facility and modern equipment, and capacity building to equip staff with the skills needed to create high‑quality digital content. He explained that the construction, valued at USD 3.7 million, is being undertaken by SMS Construction Ltd, with designs developed by ArchForum Consultants Ltd, and is scheduled for completion by September 29, 2027.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe explained that the ODeL Masterplan was developed through a highly consultative process, engaging numerous Makerere University staff and working closely with project consultants to ensure inclusivity and relevance. He expressed deep appreciation to the implementing partners, the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute ofDevelopment Strategy (KDS) for their invaluable support in making the initiative a success.
Prof. Alinaitwe also commended the Makerere University Council for approving the allocation of space and committing to maintain the building and systems once operational. He recognized the dedication of the project implementation team, which includes Dr. Venny Nakazibwe(Co‑PI), Prof. Paul Muyinda, Dr. Godfrey Mayende, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Mr. Alex Mwebaze, Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere, and Dr. Lydia Mazzi Ndandiko, for their tireless efforts in managing the project. He further acknowledged KOICA Country Director Ms. Jihee Ahn for expanding the scope of the project beyond the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) to encompass
Written by Musinguzi Harriet, Principal Communication Officer, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology.
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