It is my honor to present the 2025 Annual Report of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). This report reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing veterinary education, research, and innovation, while strengthening our role in national development and global health.

In 2025, CoVAB achieved remarkable milestones. We launched a pioneering taught PhD program in Livestock Development and Planning, a first of its kind in Uganda, designed to blend academic rigor with practical relevance. This program will equip scholars to address pressing challenges in the livestock sector, enhance food security, and influence policy across the region.

We also celebrated the successful conclusion of the INSSPIRE Project, which enriched our curricula, introduced real-life learning laboratories, and fostered international collaboration across Africa and Europe. This initiative has empowered our students with practical skills to tackle challenges in food systems and climate action, while strengthening our global academic partnerships.

Our scientists advanced climate-smart agriculture research, piloting innovative urban farming practices at Kyakuwa Farm. These included sustainable feed technologies, waste-to-energy solutions, and integrated approaches to herd health and environmental hygiene demonstrating how veterinary science can drive resilience and sustainability in urban communities.

Meanwhile, the Center for Global Biosecurity and Biomolecular Technology (CeBioTech) led capacity-building programs in biosafety and biosecurity, training laboratory technologists in international standards and emerging fields such as cyber biosecurity. These efforts have strengthened Uganda’s preparedness for biothreats and enhanced professional competence across veterinary and biomedical sectors.

These achievements underscore our alignment with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and our broader mission of transforming challenges into opportunities for prosperity. As we look ahead, CoVAB remains dedicated to nurturing skilled professionals, driving impactful research, and building partnerships that amplify our contributions to society.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our staff, students, alumni, and partners whose support has made these accomplishments possible. Together, we will continue to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, and service that define CoVAB, while charting new paths in veterinary science, livestock development, and biosecurity for Uganda and the world.

Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine
PRINCIPAL

At a time when youth unemployment continues to challenge economies across Africa, Makerere University is taking deliberate steps to prepare graduates for success beyond the classroom. The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) recently hosted a Careers Day for finalists in the Bachelor of Industrial Livestock and Business (BILB) and Bachelor of Animal Production Technology and Management (BAPT) programs.

Held under the theme “Bridging Academic Training and Industry Practice: Preparing Livestock Graduates for Professional Excellence and Sector Transformation,” the event brought together academic leaders, government officials, industry practitioners, and human resource experts to share insights on navigating the transition from university to the world of work.

Inspiring Messages of Integrity and Resilience

Dr. Dorothy Kalule Nampanzira, Head of the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, urged students to embrace integrity, resilience, and self-discovery as they step into professional life. “You are now adults, and wherever you go, you carry the name of Makerere University,” she reminded them.

Connecting Students to Opportunities

Dr. Sylvia Baluka introduced the Agricultural Sector Apprenticeship Programme, which provides paid placements to fresh graduates, offering hands-on experience and confidence-building opportunities. She emphasized the need for awareness and proactive applications to maximize access.

Rethinking Education and Work

Professor Anthony Mugisha challenged students to reflect on the difference between schooling and true education, urging them to become problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.

Government and Industry Perspectives

Speakers from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development highlighted Uganda’s untapped opportunities in agriculture and livestock, encouraging graduates to approach challenges as openings for innovation. Practical sessions on CV writing and interview preparation reinforced the importance of readiness and professionalism.

Student Reflections

Final-year students described the Careers Day as transformative, noting that it bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world expectations while boosting confidence in their career paths.

_{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.