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Call for Applications: Four (4) PhD Positions – BOLDER Project

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CAES faculty cheering on the PhD graduates during the 74th graduation ceremony. 74th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, 30th January 2024, Collge of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
CAES faculty cheering on the PhD graduates during the 74th graduation ceremony.

Building Opportunity for Lesser-known Diversity in Edible Resources (BOLDER) of the Crop Trust
Opportunity Crop Scholarships

Call for applications for four PhD positions

Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI),
Makerere University & The Norwegian University of Life Sciences

1st December 2024

Background

One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is to attain zero hunger by 2030, but whether most of African countries are on track towards this ideal is questionable, While the continent is projected to be the most populous one by the year 2100, a critical mass of its population is already food-insecure, a situation that is being exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradations.

Coping with these complex issues require adopting an integrated approach of disrupting overreliance on major commodities such as rice, maize, and wheat over the opportunity crops also called neglected and underutilized species (NUS). These species are nutrient-dense, hold the ability to help diversify both the agricultural and the food system and constitute a security net that filters pest and disease-caused damages3. However, the current organizational architecture of these species suggests they cannot compete with the so-called major crops because of several limitations including: the paucity of established data (e.g., production statistics, nutritional data), the poorly organized value chains (when they exist), and the low flow of knowledge, technology and products among the value chains actors, among others.

The ‘Building Opportunities for Lesser-known Diversity in Edible Resources’ (BOLDER) project, an extended work package of the larger ‘Biodiversity for Opportunity, Livelihoods and Development’ (BOLD) initiative is designed to promote opportunity crops in West African countries (Benin and Ghana) and East African countries (Uganda and Tanzania). BOLDER is a three-phase project dedicated to improving nutritional security in West and East Africa through the increased use and value of nutritious but currently underutilized, climate-resilient and environmentally friendly crops.

BOLDER will work towards exhibiting the potential for four opportunity crops in each of the four target countries and operates through three pillars namely: i) increasing the availability of the target opportunity crops diversity; ii) improving the production, marketing, and/or consumption of these opportunity crops, and iii) enhancing the capacity of researchers, practitioners, and food system actors to improve use and value of opportunity crops. Under this third pillar, a total of eight PhDs students (four in East Africa and four in West Africa) will be trained in Plant Sciences, Food Systems and Value Chain R4D. The PhD training in East Africa will be coordinated by MaRCCI, Makerere University, in collaboration with The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Objectives of this call

This call for applications is open to citizens of Uganda and Tanzania to fill four PhD positions: two in Plant Sciences and two in Food Systems.

All four PhD candidates will register at Makerere University and will be supervised by a panel of scientists from MaRCCI, Department of Agricultural Production (DAP), Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology (PMB), and Department of Agribusiness & Natural Resource Economics (DANRE), The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC) and the World Vegetable Center (World Veg). Decisions about supervisory arrangements will be made based on research proposals of successful applicants.

Expectations from the recruited PhD candidates

The two Plant Science PhD candidates through their research will contribute to the BOLDER project output of characterizing opportunity crops’ diversity and participatory evaluations using the TRICOT approach, while the other two students will contribute to the BOLDER Output of deepening our understanding of opportunity crops food systems and value chains and pursuing opportunities for greater contributions to livelihoods and diets.

Plant Science Applicants

The two Plant Science PhD student research projects will focus on the genetic and low-cost phenotypic characterization of farmer collection/landraces, genebank, and breeding materials for opportunity crops (stakeholder selected opportunity crops for Uganda i.e. cowpea, pumpkin, and amaranth, while for Tanzania the pre-selected crops are Bambara groundnuts and sweet potato). The aim is to generate key information on the adaptive traits of opportunity crops, their nutritional value, and their suitability for different uses, such as food, feed, and fiber. The research will further identify unique genotypes and suitable breeding strategies for improving desirable traits.

Another aspect of the PhD research will involve conducting a performance evaluation of opportunity crops traits using the citizen science approach known as triadic comparisons of technology options (tricot). This approach applies to an incomplete block design to assign randomized incomplete blocks of three technologies (out of larger number) to many farmers from different gender and socioeconomic groups for on-farm assessment in diverse agro-ecologies. Combining this approach with digital tools makes it possible to obtain insights for both local adaptation and a scale of reach compared to earlier participatory plant breeding/variety selection approaches. This approach has shown promising results recently and it is on the scale in East Africa. The planned PhD research and training will be critical in building local capacity for demand-led breeding and evaluation of opportunity crops using data science at a low cost in East Africa. The goal is to improve the identification and selection of opportunity crops varieties with desirable traits, ultimately leading to the mainstreaming of NUS in sustainable food systems in Africa.

In summary, the PhD projects will combine genomics research and on-farm tricot experiments and provide evidence on how this approach can lead to a demand-driven breeding of different NUS, accelerate trait discovery for climate adaptation, strengthen seed systems, increase use of NUS, and create links to the value chain.

We invite PhD research concept note focusing on one of the pre-selected crops in one of the countries.

Food Systems Applicants

The two PhD research projects in Food Systems will focus on two main areas, also in relation to the selected species for the two countries. The first area will be value chains of the focal crops. Specifically, this aspect of the research will characterize the current state of value chains and explore bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities, including related to production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption.

The research will also analyze the demand for opportunity crop products, the preferences and behaviors of consumers (including consumer preference trials using the tricot approach), and the most effective interventions for promoting opportunity crops in food systems.

The second area of focus in Food Systems will be the nexus between traditional knowledge on the cultivation and consumption of NUS (local food culture) and the broader political and economic factors affecting the development and promotion of opportunity crops in inclusive and equitable food systems. This project will examine the interconnection between the cultural practices of local communities regarding the cultivation and consumption of opportunity crops and the wider economic and political systems that shape the food systems in which these communities operate. On the one hand, local food cultures have evolved over generations and reflect the specific ecological, social, and cultural contexts in which they are situated. This traditional knowledge often includes cultivation practices, processing methods, and culinary traditions associated with opportunity crops. Such traditional knowledge is important for
understanding opportunity crops nutritional, cultural, and economic significance and how they can be integrated into sustainable food systems. On the other hand, development and promotion of opportunity crops in inclusive and equitable food systems is shaped by broader political and economic factors, including government policies, global trade agreements, corporate influence, and consumer preferences. These factors can create barriers to the promotion and development of opportunity crops, which can impact the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and the availability of diverse and nutritious foods for local communities. By understanding these factors, the research will aim to identify opportunities to promote the development and promotion of opportunity crops in inclusive and equitable food systems in Africa.

We invite PhD research concept note that addresses one of the two food system areas outlined above. The proposal can focus on or several of the pre-selected crops in one or both of the countries.

Scholarship: financial support and duration

The scholarship includes subsistence allowances, contribution to research costs,
insurance cost, contribution to conference attendance cost and cost related to the
participation in BOLDER-organized training relevant to the various PhD topics. The PhD
candidate will also benefit from a three-month mobility (once) to conduct parts of his/her
research at NBMU.

a) The PhD duration is 48 months.
b) PhD students will receive a monthly stipend of $600 for Ugandans and $700 for
Tanzania Nationals (when in Uganda) and 1,500 Euros when in Norway. This amount
includes settling allowance.
c) Additional benefits are available on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility

Applicants should meet the following criteria at the time of their scholarship application:
a) be a citizen of Uganda or Tanzania.
b) be proficient in written and spoken English.
c) not be currently enrolled or have a running scholarship in another PhD program.
For Plant Science Students:
d) hold a MSc degree in agronomy, plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology, crop protection or another relevant discipline.
e) demonstrate knowledge of or prior experience with tricot methodology and genomics research.
For Food Systems Students:
f) hold a MSc degree in Agricultural and Applied economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural economics, or another relevant discipline.
g) demonstrate experience of prior research on value chains, consumer behavior, or political economy of food systems.
Applicants who have working experience on the listed NUS crops will have an added
advantage.

Submission

The Scholarship application file is to be submitted as PDF attachment by the deadline to the emails indicated in section, and should include the following:
a) Cover or motivation letter.
b) Student research concept note that clearly indicates the topic to which the candidate applies (3 pages maximum).
c) National ID or Copy of Passport Bio Data page.
d) Certificate of previous degree(s) /or a Proof that the degree(s) has been completed;
e) All transcripts/academic records.
f) A support letter from home Higher Education Institution (from the MSc supervisor);
g) Two recommendation letters.
h) Curriculum Vitae.
i) Any other supporting documents (e.g., first page of publications).

Deadline

Applications should be submitted to Ms. Candia Alice on e-mail cndlc95@gmail.com and copy in Dr. Ozimati Alfred Adebo: ozimatialfred@gmail.com and Dr. Dramadri Isaac Onziga onzigaisaac@gmail.com not later than December 20th, 2024. All applications received will be acknowledged, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.

Makerere-NMBU-MaRCCI-BOLDER-Call-for-PhD-Applications_MAK03122024Download

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Mak Strengthens Kasese, Mbale Urban Food Systems through Cross-City Learning

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September 30, 2026

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The project team led by Prof. Frank Mugagga together with the farmers at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd in Kabarole District. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Farmers from Mbale City have gained new skills for strengthening urban food production following a four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District.

Supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, the programme, held from 23rd-26th September 2026, brought farmers from Mbale City into direct contact with their counterparts and practitioners engaged in diverse agricultural enterprises. The interaction provided a platform for participants to share experiences, examine practical approaches to production and enterprise management, and identify lessons that could be adapted to strengthen livelihoods and build more resilient urban food systems.

The delegation was led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Principal Investigator of the RUFS Project and a member of staff in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University.

The RUFS PI, Prof. Frank Mugagga briefing the proprietor of BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd about the activities of the project. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The RUFS PI, Prof. Frank Mugagga briefing the proprietor of BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd about the activities of the project.

Strengthening Urban Food Systems Through Peer Learning

The exchange forms part of RUFS’ efforts to strengthen urban food systems through peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing, practical skills development and collaboration among farmers and other food-system actors. It builds on work undertaken during the first phase of the project (2021-2023) and second phase (2024-2026) in Mbale City and Kasese Municipality, where the project has supported farmers and stakeholders to identify food-system challenges, strengthen local capacities and promote more resilient and sustainable approaches to urban agriculture.

Funded under the AgriFoSe2030 programme, RUFS places strong emphasis on learning through practical experience. Rather than relying solely on classroom-based training, the exchange enabled farmers to observe agricultural enterprises firsthand and learn directly from practitioners. This hands-on approach gave participants an opportunity to explore practical solutions and consider how farming and enterprise-management practices could be adapted to the conditions of Mbale City.

The Proprietor of BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd, Mr. Julius Bigabwa briefing the team about his enterprises. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Proprietor of BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd, Mr. Julius Bigabwa briefing the team about his enterprises.

The programme featured learning sessions at agricultural enterprises and production sites in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District, each offering a different perspective on urban and peri-urban food production, enterprise management and livelihood diversification.

The farmers visited four farms in Kasese Municipality, including Citrus Agrotech Ltd and Sunice Farm, as well as Mubuku Irrigation Scheme.

Farmers’ Engagement at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd

A major highlight of the programme was the tour of BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd in Kabarole District, an agricultural enterprise founded in 2008. Beyond agricultural production, BIGLAD provides practical training in agriculture, entrepreneurship, financial management and environmental conservation, offering an integrated approach to improving livelihoods through agriculture.

The team touring the enterprises at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The team touring the enterprises at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd.

At the enterprise, the Mbale City farmers were introduced to a diverse range of agricultural enterprises, including bananas, tea, vanilla, macadamia, stevia, yacón and chives, alongside fish farming, poultry and livestock production. The experience illustrated how different enterprises can be combined to maximize the use of available land and resources, spread production risks and create multiple sources of household income.

Guided by the proprietor and 2nd runner-up of the 2017 Harvest Money Expo, Mr. Julius Bigabwa, the farmers gained a broader understanding of agriculture as a business enterprise rather than a subsistence activity. They learnt that successful farming requires deliberate planning, proper record-keeping, prudent financial management, careful selection of enterprises and continuous attention to markets.

The visit also underscored the importance of understanding the entire production chain-from selecting suitable enterprises and managing inputs to production, post-harvest handling, value addition and marketing.

The farmers learning about fish farming at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The farmers learning about fish farming at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd.

Diversification and Value Addition

One of the key lessons from BIGLAD was the value of enterprise diversification. Engaging in a range of crop and animal enterprises can reduce dependence on a single source of income and strengthen farmers’ ability to manage production challenges, market fluctuations and changing environmental conditions. The experience encouraged participants to consider how complementary activities can be integrated to strengthen household livelihoods.

The farmers also gained insights into value addition and efficient resource utilization. Rather than viewing agricultural produce solely as raw commodities, they explored ways of increasing value and returns through improved production practices, processing, packaging and market-oriented approaches. The integration of environmental conservation into agricultural activities further underscored the need to pursue productivity while protecting the natural resources on which farming livelihoods depend.

For the Mbale City farmers, the experience at BIGLAD offered more than exposure to different agricultural enterprises. It provided a practical framework for planning farming as a business, diversifying strategically, adding value, managing resources responsibly and identifying opportunities for more sustainable returns.

Mr. Bigabwa explaining to the farmers about the fish feeding process. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Bigabwa explaining to the farmers about the fish feeding process.

Sharing experiences at Citrus Agro-tech Ltd

For Ms. Kabugho Rebecca, a mixed farmer in Kasese and Manager of Citrus Agro-tech Ltd, farming is a journey of learning, adaptation and perseverance. Her story offered the Mbale City farmers an opportunity to learn from the experiences and challenges that have shaped her agricultural enterprise.

Managing poultry, piggery, banana, tomato, mango and vegetable enterprises, Rebecca has learnt the value of diversification, proper record-keeping and understanding the market. Her experience highlighted how decisions concerning labour, feed, records, market access and enterprise selection can influence the performance and sustainability of a farming business.

She also emphasized the importance of securing reliable water supplies to help farmers sustain production under changing weather conditions.

Farmers learning about macadamia cultivation and its uses. Macadamia is a nutritious tree nut commonly eaten as a snack and used in cooking, baking and oil production. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Farmers learning about macadamia cultivation and its uses. Macadamia is a nutritious tree nut commonly eaten as a snack and used in cooking, baking and oil production.

Rebecca’s experience further highlighted the opportunities that arise when farmers move beyond primary production into value addition and other stages of the agricultural value chain. Her hatchery, for example, has created an additional income stream while responding to the needs of other farmers.

Through Citrus Agro-tech Ltd, she also supports small-scale farmers through training in agricultural enterprises and agronomic practices, supplies banana seedlings and provides internship opportunities for agriculture students. Her enterprise has evolved into more than a production site – it is also a space for knowledge sharing, practical learning and mentorship.

Understanding the market has been equally important to her enterprise. In her poultry business, the surrounding community provides a ready consumer base, illustrating how farmers can strengthen their businesses by understanding local demand and aligning production with market needs.

The farmers touring the fish ponds at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The farmers touring the fish ponds at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd.

For the Mbale City farmers, Rebecca’s experience provided practical lessons relevant to their own circumstances. It highlighted that progress in farming depends not only on the size of a farm or number of enterprises, but also on how effectively farmers use available resources, learn from experience, respond to challenges and continuously improve their practices.

The learning exchange was not one-way. As they interacted with Rebecca and observed her enterprises, the Mbale City farmers also shared their own experiences and practical suggestions for strengthening her operations. Among the issues discussed was pest management, including approaches that could improve efficiency, reduce wastage and strengthen enterprise performance.

Learning from Other Farms and Mubuku Irrigation Scheme

The learning continued at Sunice Farm, owned by Ms. Eunice Mutooro Sunday, and at the farm of Ms. Masika Nevercate, both in Bulembia Division, Kasese Municipality. Through interactions with the farmers, the Mbale delegation gained practical insights into vegetable production, enterprise management and ways of improving productivity using available resources.

The farmers in the tea plantation at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The farmers in the tea plantation at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd.

They also learnt from Ms. Grace Masika, a smallholder farmer in Central Division, Kasese Municipality, whose experience offered insights into how small-scale agriculture can contribute to household livelihoods.

At Mubuku Irrigation Scheme, the farmers gained practical insights into irrigated crop production, with a focus on rice and maize. The visit exposed them to different stages of crop production, from land preparation and planting to water management, crop maintenance and harvesting. It also enabled participants to appreciate how irrigation can support more reliable production, improve productivity and reduce dependence on seasonal rainfall.

Lessons Learnt

The programme demonstrated that valuable agricultural knowledge does not only come from formal training or technical experts. Farmers themselves are an important source of practical knowledge, innovation and experience. Direct interaction with fellow farmers gave the Mbale City delegation insights grounded in real-life experience.

Mr. Bigabwa briefing the team about his livestock enterprise. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Bigabwa briefing the team about his livestock enterprise.

The exposure to diversified agricultural enterprises, agri-tourism, entrepreneurship and irrigation provided practical ideas that farmers could reflect on and adapt to their own circumstances. Key lessons included:

i) Diversification can strengthen household incomes: Farmers learnt the importance of diversifying beyond a single enterprise to spread risk and create multiple sources of income. Combining crop production with livestock, poultry and other complementary enterprises can generate income at different times of the year and reduce dependence on one livelihood source.

ii) Farming requires patience, consistency and passion: Experiences shared by host farmers showed that successful farming takes time. Farmers need to remain committed to their enterprises, learn from setbacks and consistently improve their practices. Passion and persistence were identified as important qualities for sustaining an agricultural business.

Mr. Bigabwa takes the team through the process of adding value to macadamia nuts. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Bigabwa takes the team through the process of adding value to macadamia nuts.

iii) Strong partnerships create opportunities for growth: The exchange reinforced the value of building relationships with fellow farmers, local institutions, technical experts, markets and other stakeholders. Partnerships can provide access to knowledge, skills, inputs, markets and new opportunities that individual farmers may struggle to access on their own.

 iv) Make informed investment decisions: The farmers learnt that not every seemingly attractive agricultural venture is necessarily profitable. Before investing, farmers need to consider the costs of production, available markets, expected returns, labour requirements, risks and the time required to generate income. Careful assessment can help farmers avoid putting resources into enterprises that may not provide adequate returns.

v) Every coin earned from sales should be accounted for: Proper financial record-keeping emerged as an important lesson. Farmers need to know how much they spend on inputs, labour, transport and other operational costs and how much they earn from sales. Keeping track of income and expenditure enables farmers to determine whether an enterprise is profitable and make better decisions about reinvestment.

The farmers learning about value addition to macadamia nuts. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The farmers learning about value addition to macadamia nuts.

vi) Plan labour strategically to ensure smooth operations: The farmers learnt that relying heavily on casual or seasonal workers can disrupt farm operations. They recognized the importance of planning labour needs in advance, developing reliable sources of labour and, where feasible, adopting practices and technologies that reduce reliance on labour-intensive activities.

vii) Sustainability requires continuity across generations: Engaging younger family members can help ensure continuity of agricultural enterprises, preserve valuable experience and knowledge, and support the long-term sustainability of farming activities.

viii) Farmers should embrace new opportunities: The exchange encouraged farmers to remain open to new ideas and opportunities that can strengthen their farming enterprises.

Some of the products developed from macadamia nuts. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the products developed from macadamia nuts.

ix) Organic farming can support sustainable production: The farmers appreciated how organic practices can improve soil health, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, lower some production costs and promote environmental sustainability through better use of locally available resources.

x) Understanding the quality of soil helps farmers make better production decisions: Farmers learnt the importance of observing and understanding their soils before deciding what to plant. Simple observations of soil characteristics, combined where possible with appropriate soil testing and technical advice, can help farmers identify crops that are better suited to particular areas and improve productivity.

xi) Adapt farming practices to local conditions: Farmers learnt that crops and practices suited to one area may not perform similarly elsewhere, making it important to consider local weather, soils and growing conditions.

The project team and the farmers with Kasese Municipality Deputy Mayor, Mr. Mupango Rabson. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The project team and the farmers with Kasese Municipality Deputy Mayor, Mr. Mupango Rabson.

xii) Start small and grow gradually: Farmers do not always need large amounts of capital to start a new enterprise. Beginning on a manageable scale enables them to gain experience, test the market, address challenges and improve their practices before reinvesting and expanding.

Local Government Appreciation

In the course of the field trip in Kasese Municipality, the team interacted with the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Mupango Rabson, who commended the RUFS Project for its timely and forward-looking approach to strengthening urban food systems.

He appreciated the project’s contribution to equipping communities with practical knowledge and solutions for addressing the interconnected challenges of rapid urbanization, food security and livelihoods.

Ms. Kabugho Rebecca, in yellow t-shirt, briefs the farmers on her banana enterprise. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Kabugho Rebecca, in yellow t-shirt, briefs the farmers on her banana enterprise.

A similar engagement will be held in Mbale City from 7th-10th October 2026.

Photos of other activities/farms toured

Dr. Henry Mbowa from AidEnvironment training the farmers on pest management. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Henry Mbowa from AidEnvironment training the farmers on pest management.
The team being briefed about the process of maize and rice production at Mubuku Irrigation Scheme. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The team being briefed about the process of maize and rice production at Mubuku Irrigation Scheme.
The team also visited Sunice Farm, where vegetable production is the main agricultural enterprise. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The team also visited Sunice Farm, where vegetable production is the main agricultural enterprise.
Some of the team members at Ms. Masika Grace's home. Ms. Masika is a smallholder farmer in Central Division, Kasese Municipality. Farmers from Mbale City four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District to gain new approaches to strengthening urban food production, 23rd-26th September 2026, supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the team members at Ms. Masika Grace’s home. Ms. Masika is a smallholder farmer in Central Division, Kasese Municipality.

Link to the pictorial of the activities:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WyKkMEwefJHufr-ERzcu9NUdI3fzgIYy?usp=sharing

More about RUFS: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/08/mak-launches-phase-ii-of-the-rufs-project-to-strengthen-climate-resilience-food-security-in-kasese-mbale-districts/

RUFS Project Team Trains Smallholder Farmers in Mbale City in Smart Agronomic Practices

Hasifa Kabejja

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Agriculture & Environment

Makerere Students Win Inter-University Tourism Quiz Competition

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September 30, 2026

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The tourism students receiving a certificate in recognition of their performance. Courtesy Photo. Makerere University Students Win Inter-University tourism quiz that tested students’ knowledge of tourism, Ugandan culture and heritage, as well as their ability to interpret photographic representations of tourism attractions at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and the Uganda Tourism Board workshop on theme “ Digital agenda, artificial intelligence to redesign tourism", 18th September 2026, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

On Friday 18th September 2026, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and the Uganda Tourism Board held a workshop on a theme “ Digital agenda, artificial intelligence to redesign tourism”.

This event was held at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) where 15 universities participated; 

  1. Makerere University 
  2. ⁠MUBS
  3. ⁠Kampala International University 
  4. ⁠Metropolitan International University 
  5. ⁠Muteesa 1 Royal University 
  6. ⁠ISBAT university 
  7. ⁠Avance University 
  8. ⁠Uganda Wildlife and Research Training Institute
  9. ⁠Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training College
  10. ⁠Kyambogo University 
  11. ⁠International University of East Africa
  12. ⁠Ndejje University 
  13. ⁠Islamic University in Uganda
  14. ⁠St. Lawrence University 
  15. ⁠Uganda Christian University
The tourism students jubilate upon receiving the trophy. Courtesy Photo. Makerere University Students Win Inter-University tourism quiz that tested students’ knowledge of tourism, Ugandan culture and heritage, as well as their ability to interpret photographic representations of tourism attractions at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and the Uganda Tourism Board workshop on theme “ Digital agenda, artificial intelligence to redesign tourism", 18th September 2026, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The tourism students jubilate upon receiving the trophy. Courtesy Photo.

A highlight of the workshop was an inter-university tourism quiz that tested students’ knowledge of tourism, Ugandan culture and heritage, as well as their ability to interpret photographic representations of tourism attractions. Makerere University’s tourism students emerged as the overall winners, demonstrating strong knowledge and understanding of Uganda’s tourism sector. The winning team was presented with a trophy by the Head of the Tourism Department at MUBS, Dr. Celestine Katongole, in recognition of their outstanding performance.

Mak Editor

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Agriculture & Environment

Call for Abstracts – 4th International GORILLA Conference 2026

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September 17, 2026

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Call for Abstracts – 4th International GORILLA Conference 2026. 4th International Conference on Geographical Science for Resilient Communities, Ecosystems and Livelihoods under Global Environmental Change (GORILLA), 30th November-4th December 2026, Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. Organised by the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University

Deadline for submission of Abstracts: Wednesday, 30th September 2026

The Organizing Committee of the 4th International Conference on Geographical Science for Resilient Communities, Ecosystems and Livelihoods under Global Environmental Change (GORILLA) invites researchers, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations. The conference will be held from 30th November-4th December 2026 at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract requirements:

  1. Submit a 250-word abstract addressing one of the conference sub-themes.
  2. Oral and poster presentations are accepted.
  3. Proposals for special sessions may also be considered.
  4. Abstracts should be submitted online through https://gorilla.mak.ac.ug/ by Wednesday, 30th September 2026.
  5. Submissions will undergo peer review and will be considered on a rolling basis.

Key sub-themes include:

  1. Geographies of Climate Change Resilience: Contradictions and Opportunities
  2. Environmental Risk and the increasing Polycrisis
  3. Geospatial Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability of Livelihood
  4. Emerging Geographic Technologies and Innovations for Resilience
  5. Green-based transitions for sustainable livelihoods
  6. Cities of the Future: Reimagining Urbanity in the Age of Innovation and Sustainability
  7. Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Nature-based Solutions
  8. Biodiversity, Biogeography and Ecosystem for Societal Resilience
  9. Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Actions for Resilient Communities
  10. Geographies of water systems resilience
  11. The Changing geography of agrifood systems
  12. Climate mobility, displacement and natural resource conflict

Objectives of the Conference

  1. To facilitate the exchange of contemporary resilience-building knowledge and innovations across disciplines.
  2. Enhance dialogue to bridge the science-policy-practice interface to address deficits that are limiting the resolution of pressing resilience challenges and shape policy agendas.
  3. Enhance capacities and capabilities of early career scientists through mentorship and dedicated training focused on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  4. Increase knowledge and scientific outputs from Sub-Saharan Africa by facilitating special issue publications
  5. Provide an opportunity for increased networking and beneficial partnerships from attendees with varied backgrounds and professional affiliations to address complex sustainable development challenges

Details can be obtained from the conference website: www.gorilla.mak.ac.ug or by sending an email to: gorilla.conference@mak.ac.ug

Registration for the Conference: gorilla.mak.ac.ug/register

GORILLA Conference Secretariat

Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

Contact Persons:

Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze – Local Organizing Committee Chair

Tel: +256 772 696 751

Dr. Jerome Lugumira – Co-Chair

Tel: +256 785 207 156

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Hasifa Kabejja

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