Natural Sciences
Mak Researchers Set Out to Address the Challenge of African swine fever in Uganda
The Project is supported by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Overview
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral haemorrhagic disease of domestic pigs; and has recently spread to new areas including Eastern Europe and in Asia as far as Papua New Guinea. This disease has neither vaccine nor treatment and is currently a big challenge to many smallholder pig farmers in Uganda. In Uganda, ASFV genotype IX has been reported to cause outbreaks on a regular basis and is an impediment to development of the swine industry. The disease was previously reported with a mortality of 100%. However different forms of the disease have recently been observed in domestic pigs. Indeed, some studies have shown that pigs that survive ASF become resistant to the same viral isolates although they do not produce classical neutralizing antibody. These observations could have the key for vaccine development strategies.
The research project
Through a project titled “African swine fever virus (ASFV) severity and viral genomic structural features: opportunities for development of a vaccine in Uganda”, a team of researchers led by Prof. Charles Masembe from the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University registered the need to correlate clinical studies of ASF virus with full genome sequences and virus structural data to identify potential candidate genes for vaccine development. The team set out to isolate and characterise highly virulent and low virulent ASF viruses circulating in the swine population in Uganda using next-generation and Electron Microscopy to inform the development of ASFV vaccines and other therapeutic strategies. The team also set out to sequence the whole genome of low and high-virulence African swine fever viruses circulating in the domestic pig population in Uganda; compare the whole genome sequences of low and high-virulence ASF viruses in Uganda, and to find genomic variations and their effects on the virulence and viral evolution. Whole blood and organ tissue samples together with clinical-epidemiological information, were collected from acute and chronic cases of pigs in reported ASF outbreaks in the districts of greater Masaka, Greater Gulu, Mukono, Wakiso, Kakumiro, and additionally in other districts were outbreaks were reported during the study period. The project was supported by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF). Other members on the project are; Assoc. Prof. Vincent Muwanika (Co-PI), Dr. Rose Ademun (Scientist), Dr. Mathias Afayoa (Scientist), Dr. Tony Aliro (Field Scientist), Mr. Peter Ogweng (Field Scientist), Mr. Mayega Johnson Francis (Lab Technologist), Okwasiimire Rodney (Lab Technologist), and Mr. Bright Twesigye (Administrator).
Dissemination of the research findings
On 15th May 2024, the project team held a workshop at Doves Nest Hotel in Gulu District to disseminate the research findings, and to fact check by mapping pig farms, abattoirs, slaughter slabs, and pork restaurants in both Gulu District and Gulu City for on-going and future research.
The workshop was officially opened by the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Gulu District, Mr. Okidi Cosmas James on behalf of the CAO. In his remarks, Mr. Okidi appreciated the project team, noting that the workshop was timely since piggery as a poverty alleviation programme had been embraced by most farmers as a replacement for cattle. Sharing his experience, he expressed concern over the increasing threat of ASF, a factor he said was undermining the growth of the swine industry in Uganda.
During the meeting, the Project PI, Prof. Charles Masembe presented the status of ASF research in Uganda and globally, highlighting the complexity of ASF, dangers of ASF, ASF diagnostic advances, importance of keeping pigs and scientific efforts to control ASF, including the advances in the development of the ASFV vaccine.
Other presentations focused on ASF control and prevention mechanisms, potential role of production systems in ASF transmission, community involvement in disease control, spatio-temporal spread of ASF at the wildlife-livestock interface, the role of carrier pigs in ASFV transmission and maintenance, biosecurity implementation and challenges. All these presentations evoked discussion points from the participants. Participants expressed the need to understand how ASF is transmitted, and the extent to which farmers can trust veterinarians since they are considered to spread the disease. They highlighted the need to institute quarantine during ASF outbreaks and called for sensitization on the acceptable methods for disposing off infected pork. Another concern arising from the meeting was the need to understand if ASF is zoonotic and if not, why ASFV infected pork should not be eaten. Participants also sought guidance on why farmers should continue to keep survivor pigs if they spread ASFV, and why the government has not constructed slaughter slabs in all villages to control the spread of ASFV.
Recommendations by participants;
- Strengthening community awareness through different production departments in the district and city by organizing workshops as closer to the farmers as possible for example at every parish or ward.
- Makerere University ASF research team should collaborate with Gulu University, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies so that ASFV diagnosis and research is jointly done at the University which is nearer to the farmers for quick response to ASF outbreaks.
- City, District, and sub-county leaders should formulate a by-law to enforce the implementation of ASF control and prevention methods.
During plenary, participants were tasked with mapping pig farms/farmers, abattoir/slaughter slabs and pork restaurants in their respective sub-counties in Gulu District and Gulu City, in addition to generating a comprehensive farm/farmer list in the two areas. Mapping was successfully done and presented for purposes of clarity by each team representing a particular sub-county. The participants were then given a template to populate on the farm/farmer list since they could not recall all farms/farmers name and their mobile phone contacts.
Remarks by Gulu District RDC
In his closing remarks, the RDC of Gulu District, Mr. Oryem Auric thanked the research team for choosing the district for the workshop, noting that the feedback from the participants indicated that the workshop was very beneficial to them. He pledged to dedicate some of the free airtime offered to his office on Radio Mega, a popular FM Radio Station in Gulu City affiliated to Radio Uganda, towards the popularization of the project activities. He reiterated that the objectives of the project were in line with the current Government of Uganda programme on wealth creation through the Parish Development Model and the 4 acre model of which piggery is one of the means recommended for poverty alleviation by the President of Uganda. He called on the farmers to embrace and utilize the knowledge acquired to improve their farms and increase their household incomes.
Natural Sciences
Jinja Fish Festival: Mak Recognized for its outstanding contribution to the Development of the Fisheries Sector
Makerere University, through the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), has been recognized for its outstanding contribution to the development of the fisheries sector in Uganda. The award was presented during the Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Environmental Awards Ceremony at the 7th edition of the Jinja Fish Festival, held on 6th–7th December 2025 at Across the Nile Resort, along the banks of the River Nile in Njeru Municipality.
Renowned for showcasing diverse fish cuisines and cultural exhibitions, this year’s festival aimed to promote knowledge exchange, raise awareness, and highlight recent developments around Lake Victoria.
Launched in 2018, the Jinja Fish Festival has become a key platform for the public and stakeholders to learn about sustainable fisheries and the vital role of fish in livelihoods and nutrition. It also provides an avenue for fisheries stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to improve and sustain the sector.
The event includes the Lake Victoria Marathon, Nalubaale boat rowing competitions, a high-level fisheries forum, workshops, and exhibitions. It is organized by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) in partnership with the Directorate of Fisheries Resources, Sustainable Fisheries Initiative (SFI), Uganda Fish Processors and Exporters Association (UFPEA), and the International Fish and National Organizing Committee. It is funded by GIZ–SAF Project, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Enabel.
National Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum
A key highlight of the festival was the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, themed “Promoting Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture through Ethical and Inclusive Blue Economy Practices.” The forum featured panel discussions on:
- Aligning Uganda’s Blue Economy with global and regional fisheries management frameworks.
- Adoption of climate-smart technologies in fisheries and aquaculture.
- Integration of business strategies and human rights principles into the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
- Sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening value chain governance, scaling up innovations, and aligning initiatives with youth employment opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Richard Ogutu-Ohwayo, Coordinator at African Lakes Network and Independent Researcher, highlighted the urgent need to address “dirty fish” corruption, improve fisheries resource management through effective policies, and increase human resource capacity within the sector. Dr. Odongokara Konstantine, a Research and Policy Expert, emphasized domesticating international policies into Uganda’s aquaculture practices and building stakeholders’ capacity to access regional and global opportunities.
NutriFishPlus Project Participation in the Festival
The NutriFishPlus Project team, along with students from CoNAS participated in the 7th edition of the Jinja Fish Festival on 6th and 7th December 2025. Led by Ms. Nelly Badaru, Gender Expert on the Project and Ms. Juliet Ogubi Nafula, PhD student in the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at CoNAS, the team showcased products developed under the project and educated participants on the nutritional benefits of small pelagic fishes.
In its first phase, titled NutriFish, Makerere University researchers, led by Dr. Jackson Efitre, in collaboration with the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI – NARO), NUTREAL Limited, and McGill University, Canada, developed five high-value nutritious products, including baby food, sauce, maize meal, snacks, and seasoning, using Mukene (silverfish). The team also published a Mukene recipe book, containing 16 recipes rich in protein, calcium, zinc, and iron.
Through the project, fishers gained access to loans for purchasing boats and fish containers that improve hygiene and product quality. Two enterprise fishing groups, with over 70 boats, were established to ensure consistent supply and standards. Researchers also developed the eCAS system, an application for tracking fish catches. By September 2022, 8,960 catch records had been transmitted through the system, which is now used by over 200 stakeholders, including the Directorate of Fisheries Resources and the Fisheries Protection Unit, helping prevent overfishing.
Other achievements registered under the project included the development of solar tent driers – greenhouse-like structures that reduce the risk of contamination and provide clean and efficient storage and drying, especially during the wet season subsequently reducing post-harvest losses. The project conducted awareness training for 326 people (200 women) to reduce gender inequalities. As a result, domestic violence dropped by 30%, and the number of women in the fish value chain increased. The project also trained eight Graduate students, who have gained valuable skills and knowledge thus boosting critical human resource needs in the fisheries sector.
Other exhibitors at the festival included (NaFIRRI – NARO), FAO, INNOECOFOOD Project at Makerere University, the International University of East Africa, Busitema University, SEETA University (Science, Environment, Engineering, Technology, and Agriculture), Yalelo Uganda, and Preventive Care International, all showcasing emerging technologies and innovations in fisheries.
NutriFishPlus Phase II
Funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) under CultiAF2, the NutriFishPlus Project aims to scale up Phase I activities to further enhance incomes and livelihoods of Uganda’s fishing communities.
Launched on 28th October 2025, the 32-month project will run until March 2028. Its objectives include:
- Scaling up sustainable fishing technologies, including solar tent driers and raised racks, to reach new communities.
- Strengthening market access and supply chain linkages for high-quality fish and fish-based products.
- Empowering women and vulnerable groups through diversified income-generating activities.
Implemented by the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University, in collaboration with Nutreal Ltd and Kati Farms Ltd, the project is led by Dr. Jackson Efitre (Principal Investigator).
Expected outcomes include:
- Improved livelihoods and incomes for marginalized fishing groups, especially women and youth.
- Better health and nutrition through diversified, market-driven fish products.
- Sustainable fish processing and marketing models replicable across Uganda and the East African region.
- Enhanced participation of women and youth in decision-making and benefit-sharing within the Small Pelagic Fishes (SPFs) value chain.
- Strengthened community resilience and ecosystem health through participatory approaches.
Project activities will be conducted at five landing sites around Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, and Albert: Katosi and Kikondo (Mukono and Buikwe districts), Bangaladesh and Kayago (Amolatar District), and Dei (Pakwach District).
*****The project was officially launched on 28th October 2025, followed by planning meetings on 29th and 30th. It will be implemented at landing sites around Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Albert.
Following the successful implementation of the NutriFish Project ( 2019-2023), Makerere University has been awarded a new grant worth about UGX2 Billion to expand activities and deepen community impact through the NutriFishPlus Project.
Funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) under the Cultivate Africa’s Future Fund Phase II (CultiAF2), the NutriFishPlus Project seeks to enhance the incomes and livelihoods of fishing communities in Uganda.
The project was officially launched on 28th October 2025 by the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) at Makerere University, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta. Building on the achievements of phase one, NutriFishPlus will focus on:
- Scaling up the use of improved and sustainable fishing technologies, including solar tent driers and raised racks, to reach new communities across Uganda.
- Enhancing market access and strengthening supply chain linkages for high-quality fish and fish-based products.
- Empowering women and other vulnerable groups and strengthening community resilience through diversified income-generating activities.
The project is expected to deliver the following outcomes:
- Improved incomes and livelihoods for the marginalized fishing groups, particularly women and youth.
- Better health and nutrition outcomes through the development of diversified, market-embedded fish products.
- Establishment of sustainable fish processing and marketing models that can be replicated across Uganda and the East African region.
- Improved participation of women and youth in decision-making and benefit-sharing within the Small Pelagic Fishes (SPFs) value chain.
- Enhanced socioeconomic conditions and ecosystem health through participatory and scalable approaches.
The project will run from September 2025 to March 2028 and will be implemented by the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University, in collaboration with two private companies (Nutreal Ltd and Kati Farms Ltd) under a public-private partnership. Project activities will be carried out at five landing sites around Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Albert. These include Katosi and Kikondo landing sites in Mukono and Buikwe districts respectively, Bangaladesh and Kayago landing sites in Amolatar District, and Dei landing site in Pakwach District. The project will be coordinated by Dr Jackson Efitre, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere.
Inception and planning meetings
The NutriFishPlus Project team convened a three-day stakeholder engagement from 28th to 30th October 2025 to officially launch the project and collaboratively develop an implementation plan.
The workshop brought together a wide range of participants, including government representatives, researchers, private sector actors, and development partners. The primary objective was to foster a shared understanding of the project’s overarching goals, and design strategic pathways for achieving sustainable scaling and impact.
Discussions focused on deepening understanding of the scaling journey, and the interconnections among the different work packages and their respective pathways to scale. Participants explored how adaptive and transformative approaches can be integrated into the project’s dynamic monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework.
The team also reviewed the existing outputs and outcomes to identify key evidence that can inform adaptive monitoring. Through collaborative dialogue, stakeholders worked to identify appropriate indicators and progress markers that reflect the project’s adaptive learning and scaling dimensions, ensuring alignment with both the project objectives and national development priorities.
A major outcome of the workshop was the joint development of a detailed implementation plan for the project’s four interlinked work packages, which aim to:
- Enhance nutrition and health outcomes among vulnerable groups through the diversification of fish products and market innovations;
- Promote alternative and resilient livelihoods within small-scale fisheries and related value chains;
- Advance inclusivity and participation of marginalized groups, particularly women and youth in the Small Pelagic Fishes value chain through policy reform, advocacy, and enforcement; and
- Strengthen fish processing technologies and post-harvest management practices to improve food safety, quality, and value addition.
Overall, the inception workshop provided a strong foundation for coordinated implementation of the project, and established a clear roadmap for achieving the NutriFishPlus vision of improving nutrition, livelihoods, and sustainability through fisheries-based innovations.
Remarks by the University officials and development partners
Addressing the participants, the Guest of Honour, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration at Makerere University, commended the project team for the achievement. He also expressed gratitude to the project funders – the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) – for their steadfast support and dedication to improving the livelihoods of fishing communities in Uganda. “The NutriFishPlus project highlights Makerere University’s commitment to being a research-driven institution,” he said. “It also strengthens the University’s leadership in translating research into tangible, real-world outcomes that drive sustainable development and enhance public health.” On behalf of Makerere University Management, Prof. Ireeta assured continued support for the successful implementation of the project.
Dr. Edidah Lubega Ampaire, Senior Programme Specialist at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), congratulated the project team upon securing the second grant. She emphasized that the IDRC is committed to supporting applied research that delivers tangible benefits to communities, noting that the team had demonstrated this through their success with the NutriFish project. “The IDRC invests in research that has the potential to transform livelihoods,” Dr. Ampaire said. “We look forward to seeing how the NutriFishPlus Project will build upon the achievements of the previous phase to scale up impact beyond the pilot phase. It is equally important that the project contributes to fostering meaningful policy reforms and strengthening enforcement mechanisms to ensure long-term, sustainable outcomes.”
During the session, Ms. Dena Lomofsky, an experienced researcher and MEL expert, guided participants through the key components of scaling science. Her presentation explored the theoretical foundations, guiding principles, and strategic approaches required to transform research findings into scalable and sustainable solutions.
Briefing participants on their activities, Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe from Nutreal Ltd, a private company collaborating with the NutriFishPlus Project, underscored the crucial role of private sector involvement in research initiatives. She emphasized that engaging private enterprises not only enhances the practical application of research outcomes but also plays a pivotal role in scaling innovations and maximizing their impact.
Ms. Lovin Kobusingye of Kati Farms Ltd expressed gratitude to the project team and funders for the initiative. “At Kati Farms, we are truly honored to be part of this journey. Our passion has always been to transform Uganda’s fisheries sector through value addition, innovation, and inclusive growth. The NutriFishPlus Project aligns perfectly with this mission, as it aims to improve the incomes and livelihoods of fishing communities through diverse interventions. As Kati Farms, our commitment is to ensure that the products developed under this project meet the highest quality standards and reach both local and international markets. Together, as partners, let us move forward with a shared vision, to make NutriFishPlus not just a research project, but a transformative movement that uplifts fishing communities, enhances nutrition, and promotes gender equality within and beyond our borders.”
Mr. Isaac Kirabira from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries expressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the project, emphasizing that empowering women, youth, and other vulnerable groups is essential not only for improving livelihoods but also for restoring dignity.
In his remarks, Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, Head of the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University, equally appreciated the project team and the funders. “Our Department is proud to contribute to the NutriFishPlus Project. Initiatives of this nature provide a valuable platform for translating our research into practical solutions that reach communities, thereby creating meaningful and tangible impact.”
Achievements registered during Phase One
The achievements included:
- Establishing group savings schemes to improve access to capital by women and youth;
- Piloting solar tent dryers for processing silver fish (mukene), resulting in doubling of women’s incomes and tripling of the shelf-life to almost five months;
- Developing and test-marketing certified, nutrient-enriched fish products, including baby food, sauce and fortified maize meal;
- Conducting comprehensive social and behavioural change interventions, leading to increased women’s participation in profitable ventures and 30% reduction in domestic violence in intervention areas.
Link to the workshop pictorial: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Wwd9kSsKpd6aZ6YrFL1uVveh2BSG36cV?usp=sharing
Natural Sciences
Mak-CoNAS Wins CAD 0.8 Million Grant to Scale-up Fish Processing Technologies & Empower Women in Uganda
The College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) at Makerere University has been awarded a highly competitive research grant worth CAD 0.8 million to implement the “NutriFishPLUS” project, which aims to scale up innovative fish processing technologies, improve market access, and empower women in Uganda’s fishing communities to boost incomes and livelihoods.
This project builds on the significant achievements of the previous ground-breaking NutriFish project (2019–2023), funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) through the Cultivate Africa’s Future Fund Phase (CultiAF2). The achievements included: 1) establishing group savings schemes to improve access to capital by women and youth; 2) piloting solar tent dryers for processing silverfish (mukene), resulting in doubling of women’s incomes and tripling of the shelf-life to almost five months; 3) developing and test-marketing certified, nutrient enriched fish products, including baby food, sauce and fortified maize meal; 4) conducting comprehensive social and behavioural change interventions, leading to increased women’s participation in profitable ventures and 30% reduction in domestic violence in intervention areas. Despite these achievements, gaps still remain with regard to increasing production of high-quality Small Pelagic Fishes (SPFs) through adoption of solar tent dryers and raised drying racks; enhancing capacity of men, women and the youth in processing, packaging, branding and marketing; improving access to capital and lucrative markets for fish and fish products; and empowering women, youth and other marginalized groups in the small fish value chain; and strengthening resilience of fishing communities through diversified income streams.
NutriFishPLUS will be implemented by the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, CoNAS, in collaboration with two private companies (Kati Farms and Nutreal) through a public-private partnership. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Jackson Efitre and his team will focus on scaling-up the use of improved, sustainable fish processing technologies such as the solar Tent dryers and raised racks to new communities across Uganda; enhancing market access and supply chain linkages for high-quality fish and fish products; as well as deepening women’s empowerment and strengthening the resilience of fishing communities through diversified income streams. The project is expected to run for September 2025- March 2028. The expected outcomes include: enhanced incomes and livelihoods for marginalized fishing groups, particularly women and youth; improved health and nutrition for vulnerable groups through diversification of fish products that are embedded in the market with strong supply chain linkages; sustainable fish processing and marketing models that can be scaled across Uganda and the East African region; improved women and youth participation in decision making and control of benefits in the SPF value chains; and improved socioeconomic conditions and ecosystem health through participatory, scalable approaches.
“Winning this competitive grant is an incredible opportunity for the team to solidify the achievements of the first phase as the funding enables us to move beyond research to embed these nutritional and technological solutions into the livelihoods of local communities,” said Dr. Efitre. “I am privileged to lead this impactful work on behalf of Makerere University. Scaling up these tested, climate-responsive technologies as well as empowering the women and youth will secure better nutrition and more sustainable livelihoods across fishing communities in Uganda.”
The project is set to be launched tomorrow, Tuesday, 28th October 2025 by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration and Principal, CoNAS, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta.
Please see below for details on the project.
Details on the previous project: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2023/03/nutrifish-project-registers-significant-achievements/
-
General2 weeks agoFrom Mastercard Foundation Scholar to Changemaker: Dr. Ekwaro Ronald’s Vision for Eye Health in Uganda
-
General1 week agoCall For Expression of Interest: WEE-DiFine Research Initiative
-
Agriculture & Environment2 weeks agoHow transformative education is shaping Africa’s next generation of innovators
-
General1 week agoFrom Campus to Career: Makerere Advancement Office, 91st Guild and the DFCU Foundation Equip Students with Financial and Employability Skills
-
Business & Management1 week agoEfD-Mak, GRO Foundation & BoU Hold High-Level Roundtable on Green and SDG-Linked Financing