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Combating Child Malnutrition in the Face of Climate Change: Mak’s Healthy Soy Initiative Offers Hope

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Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The project team led by Prof. Benedikte Grenov and Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa during the inception meeting at CAES on 15th August 2025.

*****Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, the Healthy Soy Project seeks to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions. The Project inception meeting was held on 15th August 2025 at CAES, Makerere University.

Overview

Child malnutrition remains one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 148 million children under the age of five were affected by stunting in 2023, a condition caused by chronic under-nutrition that impairs both physical and cognitive development. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, but climate change, rising food insecurity, and deepening inequality are making this goal increasingly difficult to achieve.

The Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, Dr John Baptist Tumuhairwe delivering welcome remarks on behalf of the Principal of CAES, Makerere University. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, Dr John Baptist Tumuhairwe delivering welcome remarks on behalf of the Principal of CAES, Makerere University.

Expert reports indicate that as the global climate crisis accelerates, its ripple effects are being felt most acutely in the Global South. Prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and frequent natural disasters are reducing crop yields, diminishing nutrient density in food, and driving up food prices. For smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of food production in many developing countries, these changes are devastating. Without the resources to invest in irrigation or climate-adaptive technologies, they are hit hardest by agricultural losses.

The burden of climate-induced food insecurity and malnutrition is not shared equally. Children are particularly vulnerable, as their growth demands a consistent intake of high-quality nutrients. Women, meanwhile, are doubly impacted. They are often both food producers and the primary caregivers responsible for child nutrition. These gendered and generational inequalities are deepening as food systems falter under environmental stress.

Some of the project partners that participated in the inception meeting. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the project partners that participated in the inception meeting.

Stunting and the Need for High-Quality Protein

Stunting in children is one of the most visible forms of malnutrition. Once it occurs, reversing it is challenging, though not impossible. For children affected by stunting to catch up in growth, their diets must include high-quality proteins, which are essential for muscle and tissue development.

Animal-source foods such as milk, eggs, and meat provide proteins with the highest biological value. However, in low-income settings, these foods are often prohibitively expensive or unavailable. Soybeans offer a promising alternative – they are a plant-based source of relatively high-quality protein, widely grown and consumed in many parts of the world. However, soy is not without limitations. Its protein bioavailability can be reduced by natural compounds known as anti-nutrients, which inhibit digestion and absorption.

Prof. Benedikte Grenov, the Principal Investigator, delivered a comprehensive overview of the project. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Benedikte Grenov, the Principal Investigator, delivered a comprehensive overview of the project.

The Healthy Soy Project: A Science-Based Solution for Sustainable Nutrition

In response to this challenge, Makerere University, in collaboration with partners and with funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has launched an innovative research project titled Climate-resilient soybean for improved growth and health of children in Uganda (Healthy Soy). This multi-year project seeks to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions. The University of Copenhagen, Denmark is leading the project, with Makerere University and RECO Industries Limited as partners. The overall PI of the Project is Prof. Benedikte Grenov from the University of Copenhagen. At Makerere University, the project is coordinated by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa. Other project members include Assoc. Prof. Nanna Roos and Prof. Inge Tetens from the University of Copenhagen; Assoc. Prof. Dorothy Nakimbugwe and Assoc. Prof. Ezekiel Mupere from Makerere University; Mr. Alex Kisembo from RECO Industries Limited; and Prof. Daniel Tomé from Université Paris-Saclay, France.

Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, Coordinator of the Healthy Soy Project sharing his views at the meeting. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, Coordinator of the Healthy Soy Project sharing his views at the meeting.

The Healthy Soy project is structured around four key work packages

WP1 – Selecting Climate-Resilient, Nutrient-Rich Soybean Varieties

Researchers will identify and develop soybean strains that are both resilient to climate stressors and contain high levels of protein with reduced anti-nutrient content, making them more suitable for vulnerable populations.

WP2 – Enhancing Protein Bioavailability through Food Processing

Advanced food processing technologies will be employed to reduce anti-nutrient levels and improve the bioavailability of soy protein. The project will also evaluate how effectively soy protein supports catch-up growth in children affected by stunting.

Dr. Jenipher Bisikwa, Prof. John Muyonga, and Prof. Benedikte Grenov following the proceedings of the meeting. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Jenipher Bisikwa, Prof. John Muyonga, and Prof. Benedikte Grenov following the proceedings of the meeting.

WP3 – Developing Local Soy-Based Food Supplements

Working closely with local communities and food producers, the project will design and test new soy-based supplements tailored to local dietary habits. These products will be tested for their impact on child health and growth.

WP4 – Building Local Research Capacity and Sharing Knowledge

Capacity-building is a core element of Healthy Soy. The project will invest in training Ugandan researchers, strengthening local institutions, and disseminating findings to farmers, policymakers, health professionals, and other stakeholders across the region. At Makerere University, the project is supporting 3 PhD fellows namely: Ms. Nashim Nassanga from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Mr. Amos Asiimwe from the Department of Food Technology and nutrition, and Ms. Prudence Ainomugisha from the College of Health Sciences. Ms. Nassanga will focus on identifying climate-smart soybean breeding lines for adaptability and farmers’ acceptability under severe climate conditions in Eastern, Northern, and Western Uganda; Mr. Asiimwe will develop soybean processing protocols to reduce anti-nutrients, improve soy protein bioavailability, and estimate its potential to support catch-up growth in children with stunting; and Prudence Ainomugisha will examine the effects of locally produced soy-based LNS on the growth and health of children with stunting.

Dr. Ephraim Nuwamanya shared insights into the ongoing research activities of MAKCSID, particularly focused on developing climate-resilient soybean varieties. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Ephraim Nuwamanya shared insights into the ongoing research activities of MAKCSID, particularly focused on developing climate-resilient soybean varieties.

The Healthy Soy Project Inception Meeting

On 15th August 2025, the project team held an inception meeting to discuss strategies for its implementation. The session brought together representatives from all partner institutions who shared a detailed overview of their respective roles, and expected contributions to the initiative. The discussions focused on aligning stakeholder roles, clarifying project objectives, and ensuring a coordinated approach to execution.

During the meeting, Prof. Benedikte Grenov, the Principal Investigator, delivered a comprehensive overview of the project. She emphasized the collaborative nature of the project and highlighted the importance of each stakeholder’s role in achieving the intended outcomes. Her presentation set the stage for subsequent contributions from each partner institution, outlining their respective roles and planned activities within the project.

Mr. Alex Kisembo from RECO Industries Limited shared their experience in soybean processing and outlined their planned contribution to the project’s product development streams. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Alex Kisembo from RECO Industries Limited shared their experience in soybean processing and outlined their planned contribution to the project’s product development streams.

Dr Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula, Prof. John Muyonga, and Dr Robert Mugabi from Makerere University Departments of Crop Science and Horticulture, and Food Technology and Nutrition respectively, briefed the team on their (Departments’) role in the soybean value chain, while Dr  Ephraim Nuwamanya from the Makerere University Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID) shared insights into their ongoing research activities, particularly focused on developing climate-resilient soybean varieties and how these efforts align with the goals of the Healthy Soy Project.  The meeting also featured a presentation on the activities of the Child Health Development Centre (CHDC) and its role in the project. Based within the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University, the CHDC will support the training of a full-time PhD fellow who will coordinate and implement a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) involving 300 children affected by stunting.

The representative from RECO Industries Limited, Mr. Alex Kisembo shared their experience in soybean processing and outlined their planned contribution to the project’s product development streams. Additionally, the integration of the Healthy Soy initiative into the national nutrition programming was discussed, with an emphasis on aligning it with priority areas within the health sector. The roles of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) were also presented, particularly focusing on their support for soybean development through policy formulation, quality assurance, and regulatory processes, as well as their planned contributions to the project’s implementation.

Prof. John Muyonga delivering a presentation on the expected output of the Healthy Soy Food Science research. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. John Muyonga delivering a presentation on the expected output of the Healthy Soy Food Science research.

Prof. Charles Masembe briefed participants on the reporting and accountability procedures of the Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).

The meeting was moderated by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa and Dr Jenipher Bisikwa from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University.

Prof. Charles Masembe briefing the team about the Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Support Unit reporting and accountability processes. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Charles Masembe briefing the team about the Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Support Unit reporting and accountability processes.
Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula addressing the team on the operations of the Crop Science and Horticulture Department at Makerere University. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula addressing the team on the operations of the Crop Science and Horticulture Department at Makerere University.
Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A representative from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards presenting about the quality assurance processes.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Seed Inspection and Certification at MAAIF, Dr Mary Teddy Asio delivering a presentation on the operations of the Ministry. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Seed Inspection and Certification at MAAIF, Dr Mary Teddy Asio delivering a presentation on the operations of the Ministry.
The PhD students supported by the Project, Mr Amos Asiimwe, Ms. Nashim Nassanga, and Ms. Prudence Ainomugisha with Prof. Benedikte Grenov and her colleague from the University of Copenhagen. Inception meeting for Healthy Soy Project Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through DANIDA, to develop sustainable, affordable, and nutritious soy-based food solutions to help combat stunting in Uganda and other climate-vulnerable regions, 15th August 2025, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The PhD students supported by the Project, Mr Amos Asiimwe, Ms. Nashim Nassanga, and Ms. Prudence Ainomugisha with Prof. Benedikte Grenov and her colleague from the University of Copenhagen.

Link to project inception meeting pictorial:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oTo8rhX89Nt1uXy3W0vVRUWkz5vi8WGg?usp=sharing

View on CAES

Hasifa Kabejja

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Agriculture & Environment

Re-Advertised Call for Applications: QCF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

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April 27, 2026

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Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES plants a tree to signify the launch of the 30-acre Botanical Gardens at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Wakiso Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University’s Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences in partnership with Quadrature Climate Foundation and Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre are seeking two fellows for Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF) Fellowship Programme. This is a two-year post-doctoral programme fully funded by QCF, which is an independent charitable foundation working for a greener and fairer future. Applications for the two-year post-doctoral fellowship are invited from individuals with demonstrated interest and expertise in locally led adaptation to climate change research. This initiative is a unique and excellent opportunity to expand the network of interested individuals with researchers and decision-makers, as well as deliver action-oriented research to inform policy and practice. Depending on their interest, each applicant should choose one of the two thematic areas offered under the fellowship program:

  1. Knowledge co-creation for locally led adaptation to climate change
  2. Decentralised decision making for effective climate change adaptation and resilience

The Fellow working on the Thematic Area 1: knowledge co-creation for locally adaptation will explore collaborative learning processes (including informal learning) for climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers with focus on Uganda, with linkages to related work in Bangladesh, Mozambique and Napal. The overall intention is to generate understanding of how decision making processes, across scales, can be linked to local and context specific knowledge systems and process for epistemic just adaptation. The key research questions are:

  • What does the process of co-creating knowledge for locally led climate change adaptation look like in a rural smallholder farming setting of a Least Developed Country (LDC)?
  • What are the possibilities, promises and pitfalls of knowledge co-creation for locally led adaptation planning?

The research will intentionally contribute to methodological and practice advances in co-creation of knowledge for locally led climate change adaptation.

The research on Thematic Area 2: decentralized decision making for effective adaptation and resilience will undertake scientific interrogation of a climate finance mechanism that has been designed for locally led adaptation and resilience in Uganda. The Fellow will largely focus on testing selected assumptions behind the design of the mechanism. The key questions are:

  • How does effective locally led climate change adaptation and resilience building investment decision making look like in practice?
  • What works and how does it work? What does not work and why?

Key considerations in the research will include local leadership, inclusion, context specificity, cross-scale, and capability strengthening. The targeted contributions of the fellowship include improved knowledge management for climate resilience planning and decision-making, strengthened evidence-based research-policy-practice dialogues, framework(s) for integrating local and experiential knowledges in resilience building investment decision making processes, among others.

The Fellows will be based, full-time, at Makerere University, Kampala as a core member of the team working on locally led adaptation and resilience. Their work will be conducted under the auspices of the Least Developed Countries Universities Consortium on Climate Change (LUCCC) through which Makerere University is engaged in research and knowledge management collaborations. The Fellowships will focus on Uganda, but with deliberate linkages across LDCs, which might necessitate travels for in-person working meetings.

Roles and responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Fellow will be highly motivated to work with a transdisciplinary research team, grow their research expertise, engage with climate change researchers, decision-makers, practitioners and generate different categories of publications. Makerere University will mentor to the Fellow to provide professional development support. Where needed, the Fellow will participate in teaching and community outreach activities including knowledge sharing in ways that foster collaborative research for adaptation policy and practice.

Requirements:

  • A PhD, awarded within the previous five years, in a related discipline (e.g., geography, climate and society, sustainability, adaptation governance, epistemic justice, climate finance).
  • Knowledge and experience of locally led adaptation
  • Experience in synthesizing and managing datasets and literature.
  • Experience in, and knowledgeable of, participatory and collaborative action-oriented research methodologies and tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to produce research information products for different audiences.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
  • Demonstrated interest and experience in transdisciplinary collaborations across-scales including with local communities, decision-makers and practitioners
  • Experience in giving international oral presentations and interest in public communication for wide-ranging categories of audiences
  • Data and information visualisation skills will be an added advantage

Application requirements:

Applicants should submit a single PDF with: (i) an application letter not longer than 2 pages that includes indication of theme of interest, a description of demonstrated research interests, research expertise, and an explanation of how they can work as part of the transdisciplinary research team in line with the fellowship objectives described above; (ii) a CV including a publication list; (iii) copies of academic transcripts and/or certificates; (iv) an example of written work; (v) email addresses of two references who have been directly involved in their PhD research.

Applicants must submit the PDF application document to colocal.caes@mak.ac.ug. Please type “LUCCC PDR Application: COLOCAL-Makerere” as the subject line of the email.

Closing date

Midnight (GMT+3) on 15th May, 2026 or until the position is filled.

Selection process

Eligible and complete applications will be considered followed by communication with short-listed applicants. Makerere University, in consultation with Quadrature Climate Foundation and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, will conduct interviews of the short-listed applicants.

If you have not heard from Makerere University within two months of the deadline, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

Contact details for enquiries about this post-doc fellowship: colocal.caes@mak.ac.ug

Makerere University reserves the right to

  • Disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications;
  • Change the conditions of the award or to make no awards at all

-The QCF Fellowship Programme is a two-year, post-doctoral programme fully funded by Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF).

-Quadrature Climate Foundation is an independent charitable foundation working for a greener and fairer future. For more information on QCF, please visit qc.foundation.

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Agriculture & Environment

Africa Climate Collaborative: Masters & PhD Scholarship Announcement Academic Year 2026/2027

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2 weeks ago

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April 15, 2026

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Africa Climate Collaborative, Makerere University. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, is implementing Africa Climate Collaborative, an initiative that aims to shape a future where African knowledge, innovation, and leadership drive sustainable, climate-resilient development across the continent.

Makerere University is pleased to announce Fifty [50] Masters and Twelve [12] PhD Scholarship opportunities under the Africa Climate Collaborative for the Academic Year 2026/2027.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: Friday, 5th June 2026. 

Makerere-University-Africa-Climate-Collaborative-Masters-PhD-Scholarship-Announcement-AY-2026-2027Download

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Agriculture & Environment

CPUg Project Equips Waste Management Personnel with Essential Skills

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4 weeks ago

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April 2, 2026

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Participants pose for a group photo on the opening day of the training, 30th March 2026. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

 *****The two-day training, hosted by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Makerere University, was conducted under the auspices of the APPEAR Collaborative Research Project, ‘Clean and Prosperous Uganda – Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management for Improved Livelihoods (CPUg).

The challenge of waste management in Uganda

 Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) are essential for building healthy, resilient communities. However, in many parts of Uganda, these systems remain underdeveloped, leaving communities exposed to a wide range of complex challenges.

Improper handling and disposal of fecal sludge and solid waste pose both immediate and long-term public health risks, including the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. When human waste is not safely contained, treated, or disposed of, pathogens can contaminate water, food, and soil, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as children and residents of informal settlements.

Prof. Jeninah Karungi Tumutegyereize, the PI of the project welcoming participants to the workshop. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Jeninah Karungi Tumutegyereize, the PI of the project welcoming participants to the workshop.

Environmentally, unmanaged waste degrades ecosystems, pollutes rivers and wetlands, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Open dumping clogs drainage systems, heightening urban flood risks and facilitating disease transmission. Non-biodegradable materials, including plastics, can persist for decades, blocking waterways, harming wildlife, and weakening communities’ resilience to climate change.

 The economic consequences are equally profound. Inefficient waste management undermines productivity by driving up healthcare costs, lowering property values, and limiting tourism and investment opportunities. Informal waste collection systems, often the only coping mechanism for many urban residents, fail to provide adequate protection for workers.

Participants from various segments of the waste management value chain during the training session. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Participants from various segments of the waste management value chain during the training session.

Given these intertwined health, environmental, and economic impacts, the burden of fecal sludge and solid waste in Uganda is not merely a municipal concern but a pressing national development issue. Urgent attention is required to invest in modern FSM and SWM infrastructure, promote behavioral change, and implement regulatory frameworks that ensure safe, sustainable, and inclusive waste management solutions. Without such interventions, the compounded risks to human well-being, ecosystems, and economic growth will continue to escalate.

Addressing the Challenge through the CPUg Project

The Clean and Prosperous Uganda – Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management for Improved Livelihoods (CPUg) Project, a collaborative initiative between the CAES, the Institute of Water Quality and Resource Management at Vienna University of Technology in Austria, the Department of Environmental and Livelihood Support Systems at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the Uganda Red Cross Society, seeks to tackle Uganda’s most pressing challenges in waste management.

Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula represented the Principal of the CAES. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula represented the Principal of the CAES.

The project set out to explore circularity concepts, test a variety of techniques for utilizing dried fecal sludge, analyze plastic recovery from existing composting plants, and evaluate the social and economic viability of improved FSM and SWM and their influencing factors on regional communities. Supported under the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research for Development (APPEAR), the project aims to examine how best to optimize and integrate FSM and SWM in rural settings in Wakiso District, refugee settlements in Arua District, and Uganda in general.

In addition to the technical aspects, the socio-economic viability of improved fecal sludge and solid waste management is being evaluated in terms of affordability, perceptions, and the willingness to accept and utilize these products. The project aims to contribute towards reshaping Uganda’s landscape through integrated solutions, scientific rigor, and inclusive community engagement. It stands as a model for integrated development.

Participants follow proceedings. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Participants follow proceedings.

It is coordinated by Prof. Jeninah Karungi Tumutegyereize from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture at CAES, Makerere University.

Two-Day Training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Makerere University, in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, held a comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management.

Mr. Grace Kyagaba from the Uganda Red Cross Society shared insights on various aspects of Fecal Sludge Management. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Grace Kyagaba from the Uganda Red Cross Society shared insights on various aspects of Fecal Sludge Management.

The training, conducted on 30th-31st March 2026, at Makerere University was officially opened by the Principal of CAES, represented by Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula, Head of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture. Participants included representatives from academia, the private sector, municipal authorities, service providers, and farmers.

Mr. Medard Kakuru, a PhD student at the CAES presented his work on the Circular Economy Approach to Sanitation. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Medard Kakuru, a PhD student at the CAES presented his work on the Circular Economy Approach to Sanitation.

The training programme aimed to equip personnel across the waste management value chain with the knowledge and skills to transform fecal sludge and solid waste into valuable, sustainable agricultural and economic resources. It covered topics such as occupational safety, waste management infrastructure, processing and post-treatment methods, composting, carbonization, material flow analysis, service gaps, and economic considerations in Greater Kampala. Participants were also trained in specialized software tools designed to enhance efficiency and manage waste-to-resource processes, promoting both environmental sustainability and economic viability.

Particular emphasis was placed on shifting perceptions of fecal sludge-based products among end users, mainly subsistence and commercial farmers.

Mr. Richard David Le, and Ms. Sara Neuburg, PhD students at Vienna University of Technology in Austria delivered presentations on integrated fecal sludge management and material flow analysis. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Richard David Le, and Ms. Sara Neuburg, PhD students at Vienna University of Technology in Austria delivered presentations on integrated fecal sludge management and material flow analysis.

Emerging Issues from the Training

  1. Weak fecal sludge management systems: Existing systems, particularly in refugee settlements, are inadequate.
  2. Public health risks: Improper sludge handling continues to threaten health – only 44% of fecal sludge is safely managed.
  3. Limited technical capacity: Practitioners need more training in safe handling and reuse technologies.
  4. Low adoption of resource recovery: Sludge-to-product innovations are underutilized.
  5. Environmental pollution: Untreated sludge contaminates soil, water, and surrounding ecosystems.
  6. Poor integration with agriculture: Opportunities for nutrient recycling are not fully exploited.
  7. Inadequate equipment: PPE, emptying tools, and treatment facilities are scarce.
  8. Low composting standards in Uganda: Composting often follows non-scientific methods.
  9. Behavioral and hygiene gaps: Handwashing and proper waste disposal practices remain weak.
  10. Underdeveloped waste-based value chains: Compost, briquettes, and fertilizers are not economically leveraged.
  11. High reliance on on-site sanitation: Sewer network coverage is below 10% in Greater Kampala.
  12. Insufficient emptying and collection services: Services are limited and costly.
  13. Limited private sector engagement: Public investment and private participation are inadequate.
  14. Treatment capacity and cost recovery challenges: Facilities are strained and revenue mechanisms weak.
  15. Low willingness or ability to pay: Users are reluctant or unable to afford improved services.
  16. Negative perceptions of fecal sludge products: Public attitudes hinder adoption.
  17. Regulatory and equity barriers: Awareness is limited, regulations are burdensome, and access is unequal.
Mr. Richard David Le delivered a presentation on Integrated Fecal Sludge Management. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Richard David Le delivered a presentation on Integrated Fecal Sludge Management.

Way Forward

Effective waste management is essential for public health, yet remains a significant challenge in Uganda, with few households able to empty their on-site sanitation facilities due to high costs. Experts emphasize the need for increased investment and prioritization of operator safety. Rigorous safety protocols and training are critical to safeguarding workers and ensuring sustainable operations.

Part of the audience at the training. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Part of the audience at the training.

Remarks by the CAES Leadership

On behalf of the Principal of CAES, Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula underscored Uganda’s immense potential to benefit from effective fecal sludge and solid waste management. “In an agriculture-dependent country, converting waste into organic fertilizer and other resources can significantly enhance productivity and generate substantial economic benefits. At the CAES, we are proud to collaborate and support initiatives like CPUg through innovative research and capacity-building programmes that directly address Uganda’s environmental challenges. I extend my sincere gratitude to the researchers and partners for their unwavering commitment to advancing research and environmental management. Makerere University highly values these collaborations, and together, we form a powerful coalition driving positive change in Uganda’s development.”

A waste management operator sharing valuable insights during the training session. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management, 30th-31st March 2026, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A waste management operator sharing valuable insights during the training session.

The CPUg project has contributed to capacity-building by training five PhD students, three from Makerere University and two from Vienna University of Technology, as well as three MSc students from Makerere University. The results are expected to improve knowledge in waste management and strengthen stakeholder capacity across the waste management value chain.

Pictorial of the training:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B9nUVHhQEsFncLJR3rlHN0Dd2-f7BStR?usp=sharing

Hasifa Kabejja

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