Business & Management
Heifer International Awards Young Agri-Tech Innovators in AYUTE Africa Season 3
Heifer International has awarded top young innovators in agriculture, youth, and technology through the AYUTE Africa Season 3 challenge, an initiative aimed at nurturing the talents of young people to address pressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Africa.
William Matovu, Country Director at Heifer International-Uganda, emphasized the organization’s commitment to tapping into the innovative potential of young people across Africa. He highlighted the significant role that young innovators can play in solving agricultural problems. “Africa has the most fertile soils, with statistics indicating that at least 60 percent of the globe’s uncultivated arable land is in Africa. Yet, it is the same continent that is spending over 1 billion US dollars to import food,” he noted.
During the gala event for AYUTE Africa Season 3, more than UGX 100 million was awarded to the top 10 innovators with the most outstanding technologies designed to help local farmers access affordable solutions to enhance their agricultural productivity.
Matovu pointed out that agriculture in Africa has vast potential but is underutilized. “We spend close to 150 million USD to import vegetable oil while many of our young people are going abroad to take on odd jobs,” he remarked. Through initiatives like the AYUTE Africa challenge, Heifer International aims to reverse this trend by promoting local solutions to agricultural challenges.
In the three years since its inception in 2021, the AYUTE Africa challenge has identified over 500 innovations, many of which are already being introduced to the market. “We believe there is a future around technology in agriculture, which will ride on the rails we have built,” Matovu added, signaling the organization’s long-term commitment to fostering agricultural innovation in Africa.
This year’s grand prize of UGX 50 million was awarded to Assumpta Nakalema, a young innovator from AgroVision Uganda, for her solar-powered egg incubator. Nakalema’s innovation is designed to support smallholder farmers by providing a solution for hatching between 100 and 300 eggs at a time, helping farmers improve productivity and increase profits. “With this project, farmers are going to be helped to commercialize their poultry businesses,” Nakalema explained.
The incubator, equipped with advanced technology, maintains the ideal temperature and humidity necessary for egg development. It features a built-in fan to distribute heat evenly and an AI-powered remote monitoring system that sends real-time sensor data to a cloud server for analysis. A door monitoring system also ensures that the incubation process remains uninterrupted by triggering an alarm if the door is accidentally opened.
Nakalema expressed her gratitude for the funding, stating, “I’m going to use this money to scale up the incubator from a prototype to a marketable product that smallholder farmers can afford.” The solar incubator is poised to transform the poultry industry by making sustainable and affordable hatching technology accessible to farmers.
Angel Uwera, the first runner-up, won UGX 25 million for her Mak Agrometer innovation. This tool informs farmers of the nutrient concentration in their soil, allowing them to optimize their planting and fertilization strategies. The device, equipped with an NPK sensor, enables farmers to collect soil samples and get real-time data on soil health. “Farmers can collect different soil samples from their gardens and insert the sensor to see the exact nutrient levels,” Uwera explained, highlighting how this innovation can enhance crop yields and improve food security.
Other notable innovators recognized during the awards included Olivia Nakiwanuka, the second runner-up, for her Axis Solar innovation, and Stellah Nakirijja, who developed a solar-powered tick detector. Patricia Ninsiima also received recognition for her contributions to agricultural technology.
Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, representing Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, commended Heifer International for providing young innovators with a platform to bring their ideas to life. He pledged Makerere’s continued support for collaborative research and innovation. “For a long time, we have done research, but we have been leaving it on the table. This step will take us far,” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Ronald Ssegawa Jjagenda, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, represented the State Minister for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama Kanyontore, as the event’s Chief Guest. He emphasized the importance of agricultural technology in addressing the sector’s profound challenges. “Agriculture is facing deep challenges, but technologies like these will offer practical solutions,” he said. Jjagenda also stressed the government’s commitment to supporting young people through programs such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, aimed at transforming youth livelihoods through innovation.
In closing, Jjagenda highlighted the need to shift focus from traditional agricultural practices to innovative solutions that can attract more youth to the sector. “We must identify areas within the agriculture value chain where we can engage youth with modern tools, including smartphones, to help them succeed,” he concluded.
The AYUTE Africa challenge is a testament to Heifer International’s dedication to empowering young Africans and revolutionizing agriculture through innovation. With support from organizations like Heifer, young agri-tech innovators are poised to lead Africa toward a more prosperous and sustainable future in agriculture.
Business & Management
Government Officials Equipped with Critical Skills in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis
A two-week intensive training in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis for government officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) concluded today April 11, 2025 at the Pearl on the Nile Hotel in Jinja. The training, delivered under the Programme on Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis (PIAR) and spearheaded by the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University, sought to bridge long-standing capacity gaps in the preparation, appraisal, and review of public sector projects.
The event was officially closed by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, representing the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Ssebukeera highlighted that the training was designed in response to a comprehensive needs assessment, which revealed persistent gaps in government officers’ abilities to carry out cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, and to prepare or assess pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
“Many government projects have not been properly appraised due to limited internal capacity,” Dr. Ssebukeera stated. “Too often, we rely on external consultants to prepare feasibility studies, yet our officers are not adequately equipped to interrogate or validate those studies.” He expressed confidence that participants now possess practical skills to analyze topics such as risk analysis, financial modelling, discount rates, project finance, and consumer surplus. “You are now in a position to not only prepare but also critically evaluate complex project documentation,” he added.
Ms. Esther Ayebare, Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Public Investment Management Department at MoFPED, acknowledged the participants’ dedication and active engagement. “As the unit that hosts the Development Committee, we are pleased that this training has added critical skills to help you prepare and submit viable public projects,” she said, calling on the participants to be part of building a sustainable pipeline of investment-ready projects.
In his remarks, Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, emphasized that this training is only the beginning. “While we’ve now completed the financial appraisal component, the next step is Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis—where we evaluate a project’s broader impact on society and the economy,” he said. He also extended appreciation to the Government of Uganda, particularly MoFPED, for funding the training, as well as to Ms. Esther Ayebare and other facilitators for their unwavering commitment.
Prof. Eria Hisali, who represented the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, praised the participants for navigating what would typically be a semester-long course within just two weeks. “This is a practical, work-oriented training. The knowledge you’ve gained here should be applicable immediately,” he said. He further invited the graduates to attend the upcoming Public Investment Management Conference in August 2025 to share their experiences and provide feedback.
Participants also expressed their gratitude. One quoted the Quran, saying, “Whoever gives you knowledge has given you everything,” in appreciation of the facilitators and the opportunity to learn.
The PIAR program, jointly implemented by Makerere University, MoFPED, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and Cambridge Resources International (CRI), includes two modules: the just-completed Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis, and the upcoming Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis. As Uganda continues to push for better value from public investments, trainings like this are building a critical mass of experts who will ensure that every shilling invested delivers real impact.
Business & Management
Makerere and MoFPED Resume Training of Government Officials in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University has resumed its in-depth training program for government officials in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis. The two-week training, held in Jinja, brings together public officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Uganda.
The training was officially opened by Ms. Esther Ayebare, who represented the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening public sector capacity under the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Ms. Ayebare underscored the importance of the training in building the technical capacity required for sound investment decision-making. “This training will empower you to make informed decisions, assess financial viability, and identify risks that could impact investment outcomes,” she noted.
Professor Edward Bbaale, Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, he expressed appreciation to MoFPED for its financial support and strategic collaboration in organizing the training and nominating participants. “Your continued support is instrumental in enhancing the skills and capacity of government workers in Public Investment Management,” he said. He further acknowledged the role of Vice Chancellors, Permanent Secretaries, and CAOs in nominating participants and reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to delivering transformative learning through a blend of theory and hands-on project appraisal.
Participants in the training will engage with real-world projects in sectors such as roads, health, energy, and education. Upon successful completion, they will receive a prestigious tripartite certificate from Makerere University, MoFPED, and Queen’s University in Canada.
The training features facilitators from Cambridge Resources International, the International Growth Centre, the National Planning Authority, and MoFPED, offering a curriculum rooted in global best practices.
Participants were encouraged to not only apply the knowledge in their respective roles but also to mentor colleagues, thereby broadening the reach and impact of the program.
The PIM CoE continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s public investment landscape through research, advisory services, and outreach. Recent milestones include the revision of the Development Committee guidelines and the convening of a national PIM conference in October 2024.
With the resumption of this training, Uganda takes yet another step toward fostering a skilled public sector capable of steering high-impact investments for sustainable national development.
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