Prof. Isa Kabenge has officially handed over leadership of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DABE) at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University to Prof. Joshua Wanyama. Prof. Kabenge has served as Head of Department since 2021, providing four years of leadership marked by institutional growth, strengthened partnerships, and expanded academic output. Prof. Wanyama will serve as Head of Department for a four-year term, effective 6^th May 2026.

The handover ceremony, held in the Conference Hall of the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) on 4^th June 2026, was attended by key university officials and members of staff from the department. These included the Director of Human Resources, Makerere University, represented by the CAES Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Julius Lebo; the Dean of SFTNB, Dr. Julia Kigozi; and the Head of Internal Audit, represented by the College Bursar, Ms. Susan Kyamulabi.

Remarks and Appreciation by the Dean 

In her remarks, Dr. Julia Kigozi commended Prof. Kabenge for his dedicated service and exemplary leadership. She appreciated him for the cordial working relationship, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to institutional development. She particularly acknowledged his efforts in initiating and strengthening partnerships with both local and international partners, which have significantly enhanced the department’s academic and research profile.

 Dr. Kigozi congratulated Prof. Wanyama on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would build on the accomplishments of his predecessor.

Reflections from Prof. Kabenge

Prof. Kabenge expressed gratitude to the University Management, as well as the staff of DABE, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the department over the past four years. He also acknowledged the support extended to him by the College and School leadership throughout his tenure.

“My time in office coincided with particularly challenging circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages. Despite these difficulties, I commend the resilience, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by staff, which enabled the department to continue progressing. This experience has affirmed that DABE has an exceptional team with immense potential that can be leveraged to elevate the department to even greater heights,” he said. “It has been an honour to serve as Head of Department. As I step down, I do so with full confidence in the direction the department is taking.”

 Prof. Kabenge encouraged staff to continue strengthening the culture of collaboration that has become a hallmark of the department, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary engagement. “Many of the issues the department addresses, such as water security and climate-smart agriculture, are complex and require diverse expertise and collaborative approaches,” he noted.

 Prof. Kabenge pledged to continue supporting the department, particularly in the areas of research and collaboration.

Achievements registered

The overarching goal of DABE is to remain a leading center of excellence in agro-production and food systems within the region and across East Africa. The Department currently hosts approximately 315 students and offers a range of academic programmes, including the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Water and Irrigation Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Bioprocessing Engineering, Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering, and a PhD in Agricultural Engineering.

Strengthened Research Profile

Prof. Kabenge leaves office at a time when the department has established a strong research profile, with academic staff producing more than 40 publications annually. Research within the department spans a wide range of thematic areas, including soil, water and irrigation engineering; bioprocess engineering; food processing, preservation and bio-based materials; nanotechnology and bioprocessing technologies for agriculture; artificial intelligence and engineering modelling; and power and machinery for sustainable agriculture. This growing research output has been complemented by an expanding network of collaborations that has strengthened the department’s capacity for innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical impact.

Infrastructure and Capacity Building

In addition, DABE has developed several practical training and research facilities, including a fabrication workshop at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK), aquaculture ponds, irrigation demonstration and experimental systems, post-harvest handling facilities such as refractive window dryers and hybrid solar dryers, and a water science laboratory currently under development. Many of these facilities have been established through research projects funded by both local and international partners.

The Department also hosts the Africa Water Quality Testing Fellowship, a capacity-building programme implemented in partnership with the Aquaya Institute. The fellowship trains students and early-career professionals in water quality monitoring, testing, and management through classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and field-based research. It aims to strengthen Africa’s water workforce, improve access to reliable water quality data, and support safer drinking water systems. The programme is part of a five-year regional initiative (2021-2026) operating through universities in Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia.

Welcoming the New Head

Prof. Kabenge congratulated Prof. Wanyama on his appointment and encouraged him to sustain and further strengthen the department’s local and international partnerships. He specifically encouraged the revival of visiting professorships and deeper engagement with the department’s expanding and well-connected alumni network.

Remarks by the University Officials and Incoming Head

The Director of Human Resources, represented by Mr. Julius Lebo, commended the outgoing head for his dedicated service and welcomed the incoming head, appreciating his willingness to take on the leadership role.

Similarly, the College Bursar, Ms. Susan Kyamulabi, praised Prof. Kabenge for his professionalism, strong administrative organization, and prudent management of departmental funds.

In his remarks, Prof. Joshua Wanyama expressed gratitude to University Management for his appointment, and to Prof. Kabenge, for his exemplary servant leadership and mentorship. He acknowledged the department’s steady growth under the outgoing head and thanked staff for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead them.

“I pledge my full commitment to serve. DABE is known for excellence and delivery, and I intend to uphold and strengthen that legacy. We shall continue working as a team to pursue excellence and further develop our department,” he said.

Brief about Prof. Joshua Wanyama

Prof. Joshua Wanyama is a Ugandan academic and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Makerere University. He holds a PhD in Bioscience Engineering from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), a Master of Science in Water Science and Engineering from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Netherlands), and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Makerere University.

With over twenty years of experience in teaching, research, and academic mentorship, he specializes in irrigation engineering, water resources management, watershed systems, and climate-smart agriculture. His work focuses on advancing sustainable agricultural water systems and strengthening climate resilience in Uganda and the wider region.

He has supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributed to curriculum development, and served as an external examiner for a number of universities across Africa. He is a registered professional engineer and an active member of professional bodies including the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

In recognition of his academic excellence, he was named among the top-performing mid-career researchers and lecturers at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in the 2025 Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards.

Pictorial of the handover ceremony:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RjIS9_8mPM5HVr7UAFP7ik43kkpj-WOY?usp=sharing

*****Celebrating a Distinguished Scholar, Mentor, and Global Authority in Forestry and Sustainable Environmental Stewardship

It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that the Makerere University community mourns the passing of Prof. Abwoli Yabezi Banana, an outstanding scholar, teacher, researcher, mentor, and academic leader whose life was dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, environmental stewardship, and human development. Prof. Banana passed on in the morning of 31^st May 2026, leaving behind an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire present and future generations.

For more than four decades, Prof. Banana served Makerere University with exceptional commitment and distinction as an academic in the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism, within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). Even after his retirement in 2024, his intellectual presence remained strongly felt across the University and beyond, reflected in the generations of scholars he trained, the institutions he strengthened, and the extensive body of knowledge he contributed to global academia.

Prof. Banana was widely regarded as a distinguished authority in forestry and natural resource governance. His scholarly contributions significantly advanced understanding in critical areas such as forest policy, wood science, community-based forestry, forest tenure systems, and sustainable environmental management. Through a career defined by rigorous inquiry and intellectual depth, he played a pivotal role in informing policies and practices that promoted sustainable forest management in Uganda, across Africa, and within the wider international scientific community.

His academic journey was marked by exceptional dedication, intellectual excellence, and a global perspective. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Makerere University, a Master’s degree in Wood Science and Technology from the University of California, Berkeley, and later a Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry from the Australian National University. These formative academic experiences not only refined his scholarly expertise but also shaped his international outlook, which he consistently brought to bear in his teaching, research, and professional engagements. This global grounding enabled him to connect local forestry challenges with broader scientific and policy debates, enriching both his scholarship and his contributions to institutional development.

Beyond his individual academic achievements, Prof. Banana distinguished himself as a catalyst for intellectual collaboration and knowledge exchange. He actively fostered partnerships with researchers and institutions across the world, contributing to collaborative studies that enhanced understanding of forest governance and promoted inclusive, participatory approaches to natural resource management. His work consistently reflected a strong commitment to environmental justice, community empowerment, and sustainability, values that continue to influence contemporary forestry discourse.

As an educator, Prof. Banana was exceptional in every sense. He was admired for his clarity of thought, intellectual rigor, and his rare ability to stimulate curiosity and independent thinking among his students. His teaching transcended conventional classroom instruction; it encouraged critical reflection, ethical reasoning, and a deep sense of responsibility toward society and the environment. Many of his former students now occupy influential positions in academia, government, and professional practice, carrying forward the intellectual foundation and values he instilled in them.

Equally profound was his role as a mentor and guide. He dedicated considerable time and energy to nurturing students, early-career academics, and researchers, offering not only scholarly direction but also personal support grounded in humility, patience, and integrity. His mentorship was characterized by genuine care and attentiveness, often extending beyond academic work to include life guidance that emphasized discipline, perseverance, and moral responsibility. Those who interacted closely with him remember a mentor who combined intellectual excellence with deep humanity and approachability.

Prof. Banana will also be remembered for his calm and thoughtful presence, his collegial spirit, and his unwavering commitment to academic integrity. He embodied the principles of service, respect, and humility, consistently placing the advancement of others above personal recognition. Despite his numerous achievements and international standing, he remained grounded, approachable, and deeply committed to fostering a supportive academic environment where others could thrive.

His passing is a profound loss to Makerere University, to Uganda’s forestry and environmental science fraternity, and to the global academic community. Yet, his legacy remains firmly embedded in the institutions he helped shape, the policies he influenced, the ecosystems his work sought to protect, and the many scholars who continue to build upon his intellectual contributions.

As we reflect on his life, we also celebrate a journey defined by purpose, excellence, and service. Prof. Banana’s contributions will continue to echo through the forests he studied, the classrooms he transformed, and the communities whose understanding of environmental stewardship was enriched through his work.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, former students, and all who were privileged to know him. May you find comfort in the extraordinary life he lived and pride in the lasting impact of his work and values.

Prof. Abwoli Yabezi Banana may no longer be with us physically, but his influence endures in the knowledge he created, the people he mentored, and the principles he so faithfully upheld.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Makerere University and Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration in research, training, innovation, and humanitarian service delivery.

The agreement, signed on 19^th May 2026, establishes a strategic framework through which the two institutions will jointly address pressing national and global challenges by combining academic research with practical humanitarian action.

The MoU was endorsed by Prof. Henry Alinaitwe Mwanaki, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), on behalf of Makerere University, and Mr. Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society.

Purpose of the Partnership

The partnership brings together Makerere University’s expertise in research and higher education with the Uganda Red Cross Society’s experience in disaster response, emergency health services, and community outreach, to strengthen efforts in addressing humanitarian and public health challenges. Under the agreement, the institutions will collaborate on joint research projects, academic programmes, staff and student exchanges, and grant applications.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

Building on this foundation, the two institutions will also work together to strengthen humanitarian assistance, volunteerism, health, and disaster risk management in Uganda through joint capacity-building initiatives. These will include short courses, training programmes, workshops, seminars, conferences, and other professional learning events, as well as the exchange and dissemination of case studies, best practices, and research findings.

Institutional Collaboration and Resource Mobilization

In addition, the partnership will deepen institutional collaboration through the development of strategic alliances, support for advocacy on capacity development action plans, and the promotion of stakeholder participation in each other’s programmes. It will further provide for joint resource mobilization- including co-development of funding proposals, and mutual access to institutional platforms that enhance skills development, methodological expertise, and knowledge transfer.

Student Engagement and Experiential Learning

The collaboration will also provide opportunities for Makerere University students to participate in humanitarian initiatives such as blood donation campaigns, volunteer services, and disaster response activities. In addition, students and staff will benefit from field-based training, internships, and experiential learning opportunities through the Uganda Red Cross Society.

Remarks from Makerere University

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Alinaitwe commended the Uganda Red Cross Society for its long-standing humanitarian service and strong international reputation. He explained that Makerere University, as a leading research institution, has a responsibility to strengthen humanitarian efforts through evidence-based research, innovation, and professional expertise. “This partnership demonstrates the university’s commitment to applying academic knowledge to real-world humanitarian challenges affecting communities across Uganda and beyond.”

Prof. Alinaitwe highlighted the role of young people in advancing humanitarian action, saying Makerere University’s large student population presents an opportunity to strengthen volunteerism, disaster preparedness, and community engagement initiatives. “Empowering students and young professionals through such partnerships not only contributes to national development but also nurtures a culture of compassion, civic responsibility, and leadership among the next generation,” he noted.

Highlighting potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions, including health services, emergency response, disaster risk management, research, training, and capacity building, Prof. Alinaitwe reaffirmed Makerere University’s strong commitment to humanitarian work. He expressed confidence that the partnership would foster meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation, and joint initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable communities across the country.

Remarks from Uganda Red Cross Society

Reflecting on the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions, URCS Secretary General, Mr. Robert Kwesiga, expressed gratitude to Makerere University for its continued support toward the organization’s humanitarian work. “The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in our partnership and serves as a renewed commitment to deepen collaboration in areas that directly advance public health, disaster preparedness, and community resilience, while enhancing the overall impact of humanitarian service delivery across the country.”

Mr. Kwesiga explained that the formal agreement will provide a structured framework for joint initiatives such as research, student engagement in humanitarian fieldwork, capacity building for staff and volunteers, and knowledge sharing in emergency response systems. According to him, this alignment between academic expertise and humanitarian practice is essential in addressing Uganda’s evolving social and health challenges.

“Makerere University’s role as a leading academic institution brings valuable technical and scientific capacity to the partnership, while the Uganda Red Cross Society contributes practical, field-based experience in disaster response and community support. Together, the two institutions are better positioned to design evidence-based interventions that save lives and strengthen vulnerable communities. The MoU will not remain a symbolic document, but will translate into tangible outcomes that benefit students, researchers, and the wider public through impactful programmes and sustained collaboration,” he noted.

Implementation and Duration

The agreement will run for an initial period of five years and is expected to strengthen Uganda’s capacity in research-driven humanitarian response and sustainable community development.  At Makerere University, implementation of the MoU will be coordinated by Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze, Deputy Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and member of staff in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, while Dr. Harriet Rachel Kagoya Kibuule will coordinate on behalf of the URCS.

Pictorial of the MoU signing ceremony: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUigt