Veterinary & Biosecurity
CoVAB Hosts the Roots Africa University Clubs’ Exhibition and Mentorship Engagement Discourse during which the 2023 Wakiso District Human Rights Report was launched
By Harriet Musinguzi & Jacinta Nakaye
The Roots Africa University Clubs’ exhibition and mentorship engagement was held at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity bringing together several stakeholders that held a discourse centered around youth involvement in addressing critical issues such as poverty and hunger.
The event which also marked the launch of the Wakiso District Human Rights Report for the year 2023 was held on May 11, 2024, and was hosted by The INNOVETS which is a student-driven initiative based in the CoVAB. The initiative is dedicated to empowering students with hands-on skills, fostering critical thinking, and cultivating research expertise, as well as enabling the development of innovative ideas that have the potential to transform the livestock sector in Uganda.
The discourse convened with support from Roots Africa, a non-profit organization based in the USA, attracted the participation of several sectors including students, agriculturalists, academicians, human rights experts, policymakers, members of the Uganda Police, and business professionals. It was aimed at highlighting pressing challenges and the actions needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2 – No Poverty and Zero Hunger, respectively.
Under the theme, “The right to food: Africa doesn’t need charity, it needs changemakers,” participants engaged in insightful discussions that teased out actionable solutions including entrepreneurship, leadership, and building sustainable agriculture business models.
Keynote speaker, Hon. Fred Kyakulaga Bwino, The Minister of State for Agriculture, passionately advocated for commercial perennial crop agriculture, emphasizing the potential of cash crops like Coffee and high-demand food crops like vegetables. He said it was time now that the country intensify efforts towards addressing the greatest challenges faced today which he said, were associated with feeding the fast-growing global population, exacerbated by climate changes and the associated consequences such as environmental, and natural resources degradation, natural biodiversity loss all of which affect food security.
Prof. Frank Mwine, the Principal of CoVAB, while welcoming the guests to the college highlighted the importance of mindset change in communities to ensure food safety and security,. He urging changemakers to take proactive steps towards educating communities about their rights and for the academicians to embrace the role of the ‘university in communities.’
The ceremony was graced by Mr. Kamadi Byonabye, Director of Research, Education, and Documentation, who represented the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mariam Fauzat Wangadya.
He shared that the agenda for human rights in Uganda has been evolving for some time. In 1995, it was streamlined both through a legal framework and an institutional framework. He reported that it was observed that the Uganda Human Rights Commission alone couldn’t promote and protect human rights everywhere in Uganda.
“Promoting and protecting human rights cannot be done by a single entity, it requires several departments and agencies to achieve this,” he noted. He further reported that the Ministry of Local Government directed all districts to establish district human rights committees, and this was effected in a few districts including Wakiso. However, some districts still lack this committee because of inadequate resources.
Mr. Byonabye said the right to food, health, other social services, and human rights were cross-cutting, interdependent, and interrelated. Whereas there is a legal and institutional framework, there’s individual observation of these rights because they are violated at the individual level. Therefore, the proper application of these requires a mindset change, he observed.
Notable speakers, including the Wakiso District Chairperson, Mr. Matia Lwanga Bwanika, and representatives from civil society organizations like the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), shared valuable insights on health rights, community engagement, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Mr. Bwanika recognized and commended the involvement of Makerere University as a key partner in advocating for human rights. “Makerere University, having hosted the event, proves that a rights-friendly environment was an initiative that academicians were also advocating for, said the Wakiso District Chairperson.
He said several districts were still lagging in establishing human rights committees due to demands for facilitation and commended the voluntary service rendered by the team that put together the 2023 Human Rights Situation report for Wakiso.
The Deputy Executive Director- Programmes at The Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), Noor Nakibuuka Musisi, reported about the health rights situation in some parts of Wakiso. She petitioned policymakers to extend services to rural areas, citing Bussi Island as one of the areas with no health facilities which was a key challenge for expecting women.
The Wakiso District Human Rights Committee Chairperson, Mr. Elly Kasirye also gave an address, affirming that human rights realization is achievable when structures are established while engaging people at the grassroots.
The event also involved panel discussions where several concerns were shared. Participants brainstormed ideas on the promotion and protection of human rights, which focused on community engagements, paying attention to rights for children with disability, issues concerning human settlement in wetlands which also affects human rights through causing floods, triggering questions on health and food security, and the need to build networks of powerful organizations, people, social movements as a notable solution to address these challenges.
What is Roots Africa?
Founded by Mr. Cedric Nwafor, Roots Africa is a non-profit organization registered in the USA dedicated to combating hunger and poverty in Africa through innovative academic partnerships, bridging the gaps between academic institutions and experts in the United States. In Uganda, Roots Africa is working with students’ clubs from Makerere University (INNOVETS-CoVAB), Gulu University, Bukalasa Agricultural College, Uganda Christian University, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, Bishop Stuart University, and Mountains of the Moon University.
Who are the INNOVETS?
The INNOVETS is a student-driven initiative based in the CoVAB. It is dedicated to empowering students with hands-on skills, fostering research expertise, and enabling the development of innovative ideas that have the potential to transform the livestock sector in Uganda.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Prof. Clovice Kankya Assumes Leadership at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
Prof. Clovice Kankya officially assumed leadership of Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) on Thursday, September 17, 2026, taking over from outgoing principal Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine in a handover ceremony presided over by Chief Human Resources Officer Deus Mujuni.
Upon assuming office, Prof. Clovice Kankya has laid out a six-pillar vision to transform the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). The vision focuses on shifting from lecture-based to competence-driven teaching, advancing impactful research that translates into innovation and national development.
Further, he said his leadership will support building valuable partnerships that strengthen staff capacity and global contribution. He emphasized treating people as the greatest resource by addressing staff attrition and fostering mentorship, while reinforcing governance and accountability to ensure institutional trust. Finally, he pledged to create a listening college with open communication channels between staff and students, positioning CoVAB as a hub of excellence, innovation, and impact.
Prof. Clovice Kankya, in his maiden address as Principal CoVAB, began with heartfelt appreciation: “I stand before you with a profound sense of gratitude, humility, and responsibility.” He pledged to confront challenges honestly, build on existing achievements, and transform ideas into measurable outputs. Emphasizing his leadership philosophy, he declared that it is anchored on “continuity where continuity serves, change where change is necessary, and innovation where innovation can create greater impact.”
A Call to Collective Action
Prof. Kankya urged students to challenge the college intellectually and prepare to become solution creators rather than job seekers. He called on staff for active participation and constructive criticism, and encouraged researchers and partners to form multidisciplinary teams tackling Uganda’s pressing problems.
Further, he pledged to lead with consultation, accountability, and consensus-building. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. It’s not a chapter that I write alone; it’s a chapter that we shall write together,” he said. “Together, let us move CoVAB from retention to practice, from knowledge to innovation, and from innovation to impact.”
Prof. Kankya envisions CoVAB as a hub of academic excellence, innovation, and impact — with improved infrastructure, digital transformation, enhanced staff development, and financial sustainability. His leadership is expected to strengthen academic programs, enhance resource mobilization, and steer the college toward greater influence in veterinary medicine and animal resources, both in Uganda and beyond.
Legacy of Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine at CoVAB
Outgoing Principal Prof. Mwiine highlighted milestones during his tenure, including the construction of a 980-million-shilling hostel at Buyana Stock Farm, roofing of the CoVAB building, acquisition of a bus for student transport, provision of 500 lecture hall seats, and painting of the college building without drawing on university funds. Yet, he also pointed to persistent challenges such as staffing gaps, unimplemented departmental restructuring, and high staff attrition. He urged his successor to remain resilient, stressing that resource mobilization often comes with resistance and criticism.
The Chief Human Resources Officer for Makerere University, Mr. Deus Mujuni commended Prof. Mwiine for leaving an indelible mark on the college and urged Prof. Kankya to build on that legacy. He emphasized continuity, urging the new principal to consult past leaders and rely on institutional memory, while reminding staff to extend the same trust and dedication to the incoming leadership.
The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Rt. Hon. Eng. Asiimwe Jonard, visited the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) during his maiden official visit to Makerere University, commending the tremendous research work ongoing at CoVAB and across the University.
In his remarks, the Minister noted that his visit to the University highlighted the pivotal role of research, technology, and innovation in shaping Uganda’s economic transformation and showcased Makerere’s capacity to translate groundbreaking scientific discoveries into practical solutions that address both national and global challenges.
The visit, held on September 16th, 2026, was anchored under the theme “Research Infrastructure, Emerging Technologies and Enterprise Creation.” It offered the Minister an opportunity to tour CoVAB’s state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre for Global Biosecurity and Biomolecular Technology (CeBioTech) and engage directly with faculty, researchers, and students. He commended the college for its tremendous contributions to animal health, food security, and biosecurity, emphasizing that these areas are vital to building a resilient and sustainable economy for Uganda.
While addressing college staff, researchers, and other stakeholders, the Minister emphasized that universities must serve as engines of innovation, moving beyond scholarly work to commercialization. He commended CoVAB’s vaccine development for both humans and animals, describing it as a cornerstone of Uganda’s biosecurity agenda. He further highlighted the importance of integrating social sciences into innovation, noting that project management and product development strategies are essential to fast-track research outputs into viable enterprises.
The Minister toured several flagship facilities at CoVAB, including the Central Laboratory Animal Research Facility, which provides laboratory animal services and pre-clinical trial support; RePROVaD, which designs recombinant proteins and subunit vaccines for emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and Mpox; the Anti-Tick Vaccine project, which addresses the persistent challenge of ticks and tick-borne diseases affecting livestock productivity; and BIOMARKER, which develops antibody-based diagnostics to strengthen disease detection. These initiatives, he noted, demonstrate Makerere University’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to both national and global health challenges.
Looking ahead, the Minister outlined priority actions where CoVAB is expected to play a leading role. These include advancing veterinary innovations toward certification and commercialization, leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen Uganda’s pathogen economy, positioning veterinary science as a driver of agro‑industrialization, developing sustainable models for shared diagnostic and biosecurity laboratories, and providing commercialization support for innovators in areas such as intellectual property, regulation, standards, and market access. By focusing on these areas, he emphasized, CoVAB will not only enhance Uganda’s scientific capacity but also accelerate the country’s journey toward economic resilience and prosperity.
Asiimwe pledged continued support for Makerere University and encouraged the development of structured University–Industry exchange models to ensure veterinary research translates into enterprise creation. He also emphasized the importance of self-sustainability for research centers, noting that revenue generation is key to long-term impact.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, thanked the Minister for recognizing CoVAB’s strategic role and reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to advancing veterinary science and innovation for Uganda’s prosperity.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation Reviews Uganda’s Emerging Science Ventures
By Jacinta Nakaye
Uganda’s drive to strengthen science, technology and innovation took center stage as the Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation toured Makerere University’s Centre for Biosecurity and Biomolecular Technology (CeBIOTECH). The centre is hosted at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). The visit aimed to assess the progress of ventures supported under the Science, Technology and Innovation–Office of the President (STI-OP).
The visit brought legislators, scientists, and innovators together around a shared question: How can Uganda turn investments in scientific research into practical technologies, enterprises, and solutions that respond to national development challenges?
At CeBIOTECH, the Committee was taken through a portfolio of emerging science ventures, including Central Laboratory Animal Research Facility, which focuses on providing lab animal services, pre-clinical trial support, and specialized training to accelerate biosecurity and health solutions; RePROVaD, which focuses on designing and manufacturing recombinant proteins and subunit vaccines for emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and Mpox; the Anti-Tick Vaccine venture focused on addressing the challenge of ticks and tick-borne diseases; and BIOMARKER focused on developing Antibody-based diagnostics.
The delegation also toured laboratories within the Centre where research, product development and other activities supporting the ventures are undertaken.
The engagement offered the Committee a first-hand view of the scientific infrastructure, expertise and processes underpinning Uganda’s efforts to move research beyond academic discovery and towards innovation, enterprise development and eventual application.
Where science meets national priorities
For years, Uganda has invested in research and generated scientific knowledge across universities and research institutions. However, converting that knowledge into products and services that reach communities and markets remains one of the country’s most important innovation challenges. The ventures showcased at CeBIOTECH represent an attempt to bridge this gap.
Although they operate in different areas, the ventures share a common pathway using scientific research and technological expertise to develop solutions with potential to address challenges facing Ugandans while contributing to economic growth.
The Parliamentary Science Committee’s visit consequently provided more than an opportunity to observe ongoing research. It created a platform for legislators to interact with the scientists behind the innovations and gain insight into the journey from research concept to a potentially viable product or enterprise.
That journey can involve years of research, laboratory experimentation, testing, validation, regulatory requirements, intellectual property protection, investment, and commercialisation.
A diverse portfolio of innovation
The diversity of ventures at CeBIOTECH reflects the broad scope of Uganda’s science and innovation agenda.
The CLARF, REPROVaD, and BIOMARKER ventures demonstrate the range of scientific work being pursued. At the same time, the Anti-Tick Vaccine Venture highlights efforts to address one of the persistent challenges affecting livestock production.
Rather than viewing the ventures as isolated projects, the visit highlighted the importance of building an ecosystem in which scientific discoveries can be nurtured into sustainable enterprises.
Such an ecosystem requires more than laboratory facilities. It depends on skilled human resources, research financing, modern infrastructure, regulatory support, partnerships, intellectual property management, manufacturing capacity, and market access.
Taking the fight against ticks beyond conventional control
One of the ventures presented to the Committee was the Tick Control Innovations Initiative Ltd.’s Anti-Tick Vaccine Venture, which is developing a vaccine aimed at controlling ticks and reducing the burden of tick-borne diseases in cattle.
Ticks and tick-borne diseases continue to present significant challenges to livestock production, affecting animal health and productivity and placing additional costs on farmers.
The development of an anti-tick vaccine represents an innovative approach to complement conventional tick-control measures and potentially provide farmers with an additional tool for managing the problem.
The inclusion of the venture among the STI-OP innovations showcased to Parliament demonstrates how scientific research can be directed towards challenges with direct implications for agriculture, livestock production and rural livelihoods.
For Uganda, the significance of such innovations lies not only in the scientific breakthrough itself, but also in the possibility of developing locally generated technologies that can eventually reach farmers and contribute to a more productive livestock sector.
The laboratories behind the innovations
A significant part of the Committee’s programme was the tour of CeBIOTECH’s laboratories. The tour offered members an opportunity to see the facilities where scientific investigations and activities supporting the various ventures are undertaken.
Behind every innovation that eventually reaches the market is a substantial amount of work that is rarely visible to the public: laboratory experiments, sample analysis, quality control, testing, documentation, and validation.
The laboratory visits therefore helped demonstrate that successful innovation requires sustained investment in scientific infrastructure and the people who operate it. For Uganda’s science ventures to mature into viable enterprises, maintaining and strengthening such infrastructure will remain critical.
Parliament and the science agenda
The engagement also highlighted the important role Parliament can play in creating an environment in which scientific innovations can thrive.
While researchers generate knowledge and innovators develop technologies, policy and public investment can determine whether promising innovations receive the support needed to progress.
The Parliamentary Science Committee’s interaction with the ventures therefore provided an opportunity to understand the realities of research and innovation. Such an engagement strengthened the connection between policymakers and scientists, ensuring that decisions concerning science, technology and innovation are informed by the practical experiences of those working within the sector.
A step towards an innovation-driven Uganda
The Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation’s visit to CeBIOTECH comes at a time when Uganda continues to position science, technology, and innovation as central to national transformation. The ventures visited provide a glimpse into what this ambition can look like in practice; scientists working on locally relevant challenges, laboratories supporting research and development, and emerging enterprises seeking to convert scientific knowledge into usable solutions.
The visit also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among government, Parliament, universities, research institutions, private-sector players and investors. For the innovators at CeBIOTECH, the engagement provided an opportunity to demonstrate progress, highlight the potential of their work and draw attention to the support required to move their innovations to the next level. For Parliament, it offered a closer look at the people, facilities, and scientific processes behind Uganda’s emerging innovation landscape.
Ultimately, the story unfolding at CeBIOTECH is not simply about laboratories or individual ventures. It is about Uganda’s capacity to generate its own solutions, build enterprises around scientific knowledge, and turn research investment into tangible national value.
As the country pursues a more knowledge-driven economy, the progress of ventures such as CLARF, SUBUNIT, the Anti-Vaccine Venture, RePROVaD, and BIOMARKER will be an important measure of how effectively Uganda can move from research to innovation, from innovation to enterprise, and from enterprise to impact.
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