_{By Moses Lutaaya}

Kampala, March 31, 2026 — A powerful shift from theory to practical skills took center stage as over 100 graduates were unveiled as job creators during the 6^th certificate award ceremony of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) at Makerere University.

The graduates, trained under the Africa Institute for Strategic Animal Resources Services and Development (AFRISA) through the Skills, Production, Enterprise Development and Accreditation (SPEDA) programme, were urged to lead Uganda’s transformation through enterprise, innovation and hands-on expertise in the livestock sector.

The ceremony drew strong messages from government and university leaders, all rallying behind one central theme: skills—not just degrees—are the future of Uganda’s economy.

Representing the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Chief Guest, Dr. Anna Rose Ademun Okurut delivered a compelling address on behalf of Bright Rwamirama, praising AFRISA for closing the gap between farmers and technical expertise.

She conveyed the Minister’s appreciation for the programme and apologized for his absence, emphasizing that the initiative remains a priority for government.

Dr. Okurut did not mince words about the challenges facing Uganda’s agricultural sector. While the country continues to produce veterinary doctors, she noted that many prefer office-based jobs, leaving farmers without critical on-ground support.

“There is a big gap between the veterinary doctor and the farmer,” she said, stressing that diploma and certificate graduates are the backbone needed to deliver real services in communities.

She expressed concern over the low number of skilled graduates in animal production, admitting that her “eyes are not satisfied” with the output. She called on parents and institutions to embrace skills-based education, especially in animal husbandry and health, where interest has declined.

Drawing a stark comparison, she highlighted how many Ugandan youth working in the Middle East remain trapped in low-paying domestic jobs due to lack of skills, while their counterparts from neighboring countries secure better opportunities because of technical training.

“Not everyone must get a degree or PhD,” she emphasized. “Practical skills can equally transform lives.”

Dr. Okurut also pointed to critical inefficiencies in the livestock sector, including poor leather handling—where up to 80 percent of hides are lost—and improper milking practices that lead to diseases like mastitis. She called for expanded specialized training to address such gaps.

Encouraging the graduates, she described their journey as a strong foundation for success.

“You are winners,” she said. “Starting from a certificate is not a weakness—it is strength.”

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Director Graduate of Training Prof. Julius Kikooma described AFRISA as a game-changing model that is transforming higher education.

He conveyed the university leadership’s excitement about the sixth graduation ceremony, calling it a milestone in Makerere’s mission to drive innovation and community impact.

Prof. Kikooma explained that AFRISA was established in 2010 to address a long-standing problem—graduates leaving university with theoretical knowledge but lacking practical skills to change communities.

“AFRISA is not just an institute—it is a dynamic engine for transformation,” he said.

He highlighted its achievements over the years, including training thousands of youth and women, supporting livestock enterprises, and producing graduates who are now entrepreneurs, employers and community leaders.

He emphasized that AFRISA aligns directly with national priorities such as job creation, agricultural productivity and economic growth.

Addressing the graduates, he delivered a clear challenge, “You are not job seekers—you are job creators. You are solution providers.”

He urged them to take their knowledge beyond cities and into rural communities where it is most needed, encouraging them to start small enterprises but think big.

Looking ahead, Prof. Kikooma outlined AFRISA’s ambitious vision—expanding practical programmes, integrating digital learning, and strengthening community outreach to position the institute as a continental leader in animal industry transformation.

The Principal of COVAB, Prof. Frank Mwiine, painted a vivid picture of AFRISA’s journey, describing the graduation as both historic and transformational.

He traced AFRISA’s origins back to 2010 under the vision of Professor John David Kabasa, who sought to address youth unemployment and the disconnect between education and practical skills.

“AFRISA was created to redefine education as a tool for wealth creation and community transformation,” he said.

Over the past 16 years, the institute has evolved into a nationally and regionally recognized centre of excellence, operating as a semi-autonomous unit within COVAB.

Prof. Mwiine highlighted AFRISA’s unique model, which integrates teaching, research and community outreach while emphasizing competence-based, hands-on training.

He pointed to flagship initiatives such as the Nakasajja incubation centre in Wakiso District, where students gain real-world experience by producing, innovating and building enterprises.

The impact, he noted, has been significant, thousands of youth trained, hundreds of enterprises created, and strong partnerships built with government, NGOs and international organizations.

Addressing the graduates directly, he reminded them that they are stepping into the world as innovators and entrepreneurs.

“You have not just studied animal resources, you have turned them into business opportunities,” he said.

He challenged them to take their skills to villages, towns and cities, and use them to transform communities.

“Start small, but think big,” he urged. “Every poultry house, every piggery, every dairy unit can grow into a major enterprise.”

In a passionate closing address, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi called on graduates to act immediately and apply their skills.

He reminded them that the ceremony marked not just an academic achievement but the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and impact.

“You have been equipped with hands-on skills. This is your time—go and use them,” he said.

Prof. Buyinza emphasized that graduates had received training across critical sectors including dairy, poultry, feed production, laboratory science and livestock product development.

He urged them to pursue opportunities, embrace challenges and build meaningful careers.

“The biggest betrayal you can do to Makerere is to go back home and wait for employment,” he warned.

Instead, he encouraged them to create jobs, contribute to national development goals such as Uganda Vision 2040, and become part of the university’s legacy of transformation.

Graduates received a wide range of qualifications, including Ordinary Diplomas in Dairy Industry and Business, Feed Industry and Business, Poultry Industry and Business, and Laboratory Science Education and Industry, as well as Diplomas in Livestock Products Development.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this edition of the CoVAB Newsletter, October –December 2025. The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) at Makerere University continues to stand at the forefront of training, research, and innovation in veterinary sciences, animal resources, and biosecurity. Since its establishment over 50 year ago, from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CoVAB has evolved into a center of excellence dedicated to nurturing skilled professionals who contribute to healthier communities, sustainable livelihoods, and national development.

This newsletter highlights a few of our outputs and efforts in advancing veterinary medicine and animal production to strengthening biosecurity and public health. Our programs are aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the broader goal of transforming challenges into opportunities for prosperity.

We celebrate the collective efforts of our students, faculty, industry partners, and government stakeholders who continue to support our mission.

_{By Harriet Musinguzi & Jacinta Nakaye}

INSSPIRE, a flagship project housed at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), has successfully concluded its three-year implementation journey with a final workshop held on Tuesday, 18^th November 2025, at the Imperial Royale Hotel. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from leading universities across Europe and Africa to reflect on the project’s achievements, share lessons learned, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Over the past three years, the INSSPIRE Project has made significant strides in advancing research, innovation, and capacity-building, particularly in the areas of food systems and climate action. Through its initiatives, the project has contributed to strengthening academic programs and aligning them more closely with societal needs and the evolving job market.

Some of the notable achievements of the INSSPIRE Project include the comprehensive review and enrichment of the curriculum, ensuring that learning is not only academically rigorous but also practically relevant to societal needs and the evolving job market. In addition, the introduction of real-life learning labs has provided students with invaluable hands-on experience, enabling them to engage directly with community challenges and apply their knowledge in practical, impactful ways. The project has also pioneered the use of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), linking students with peers from other countries to foster cross-cultural exchange and collaborative problem-solving. This innovative approach has strengthened the connection between academia and society, equipping graduates to become solution-oriented leaders in addressing pressing global issues such as food systems and climate action.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, was represented at the conference by Prof. Julius Kikoma, Director of Graduate Training. Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kikoma commended the remarkable achievements realized through the strong partnership of multiple universities under the INSSPIRE initiative. He underscored the conference theme, “Advancing Evidence-Based and Inclusive Education for Food Systems and Climate Action,” as a powerful reflection of the project’s commitment to tackling global challenges through innovation, collaboration, and shared learning.

 Prof. Nawangwe noted that the INSSPIRE Project, centered on innovation for sustainability and societal relevance, has successfully brought together universities from the Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia, Kenya, Uganda, Benin, and South Africa. Within this collaborative ecosystem, institutions have reimagined higher education to make it more inclusive, experiential, and responsive to pressing challenges such as food systems transformation and climate change.

Nawangwe noted that this transformation comes at a critical time when Africa faces immense challenges in food security and climate change. Uganda remains highly vulnerable, with floods and other climate shocks severely affecting communities and livelihoods. He emphasized that food systems are under pressure from rapid population growth, unsustainable practices, and environmental degradation, while climate change is already impacting nutrition and resilience. Universities like Makerere must rise to this challenge, he said, and that through initiatives like the INSSPIRE Project, Makerere University joined regional and international partners to generate evidence, influence policy, and drive innovation though solutions generated by students, researchers, and communities.

The Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the project’s lead institution, for fostering collaboration that has strengthened long-term partnerships between Makerere and universities in Europe and Africa. He praised this cooperation as a model of global academic partnership, where learning flows both ways and innovation thrives in diversity. He also thanked Erasmus+, the European Union, RUFORUM, FAO, national agencies, and research institutions for their support. Special recognition was given to CoVAB for providing an enabling environment, and to the dedicated Makerere INSSPIRE team led by Dr. Charles Drago Kato, whose leadership has been central to the project’s success.

Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal CoVAB expressed the commitment of the college leadership in moving the INSSPIRE innovations forward, as demonstrated in the innovations in the department of Livestock resources and the continuous development of staff to broaden the teaching of these courses. He said the college would remain part of the network and appreciated INSSPIRE for the capacity-building initiatives for the staff of the college especially in the new pedagogical methodologies like the real-life lab.

Dr. Denyse Snelder from VU Amsterdam gave a broad overview of the project activities they engaged in, including the capacity development on evidence-based and inclusive education, strengthening the university to community collaboration, and inter-university collaborations. She highlighted the key achievements realized, which include sixty lecturers actively engaged, 850 students reached through enriched courses, Five Hundred community stakeholders engaged, establishment of community practice with Eighteen Universities in Africa and Europe under the umbrella, South to South and triangular cooperation.

The INSSPIRE Project aimed to prepare students in higher education for labor market success by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive food systems transformation and adapt to climate change, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.