Introduction 

Makerere University, through the Departments of Animal and Range Sciences and Extension and Innovation Studies (CAES), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), specifically the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MbaZARDI) and Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MuZARDI), Bukalasa Agricultural College, Ghent University, KU Leuven, and HOGENT, has secured VLIR-UOS TEAM 2026 funding for the project “Agroforestry-dairy integration for sustainable agri-food systems in peri-urban and rural Uganda.” 

The project aims to strengthen the Ugandan–Flemish partnership in validating and promoting agroforestry-based feeding strategies for crossbred dairy systems in peri-urban Kampala (zero-grazing) and the Southwestern cattle corridor (paddock systems). To support this work, applications are invited from eligible Makerere University and NARO staff for two PhD positions. 

PhD Position 1: Physiological validation of tree-based, nutrient-specific feeding strategies in crossbred or exotic dairy systems 

Research focus: This PhD will evaluate the physiological and production responses of crossbred/exotic dairy cows to tree-based, nutrient-specific feeding strategies under peri-urban zero-grazing systems around Kampala and paddock systems in the Southwestern cattle corridor. 

Building on previous studies that identified nutrient deficiencies and promising tree-based feed resources, the research will assess the effectiveness of locally formulated supplements in improving the productivity of early-lactating crossbred dairy cows across contrasting production systems and seasons. Blood profiling and production monitoring will be integrated to evaluate animal responses. The PhD will be jointly supervised by Makerere University, NARO and Ghent University. 

PhD position 2: Socio-economic feasibility and adoption of agroforestry-based dairy feeding strategies 

Research focus: This PhD will investigate the socio-economic feasibility and adoption of agroforestry-based feeding strategies in mixed crop–livestock systems. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study will combine household surveys, stakeholder interviews and gender-segregated focus group discussions to evaluate the adoption of fodder and multipurpose trees. 

The research will compare existing tree use with new planting options, assess economic viability, labour requirements, land constraints, gender roles, market access and knowledge systems, and identify factors influencing adoption under contrasting dairy production systems. Comparisons between peri-urban Kampala and the Southwestern cattle corridor will provide evidence on scalability and inform policy and extension strategies. 

Scholarship and conditions 

Successful applicants will receive a sandwich PhD scholarship under the VLIR-UOS TEAM 2026 programme only for the period in Belgium. 

Key terms 

1. Duration: Between 48 and 58 months, with research conducted in Uganda and Belgium. Candidates will spend up to 22 months (4 visits spread over 5 years). 
2. Funding: During research stays in Belgium, candidates will receive a living stipend and support for four international return flights. While in Uganda, candidates are expected to remain employed by Makerere University or NARO, where the salary is guaranteed for the whole duration of the PhD. 
3. Research support: The project will cover approved research costs in Uganda, including fieldwork and essential research materials. 
4. Degree award: KULeuven will confer the PhD degree. Candidates will be jointly supervised by Ugandan and Belgian partners and must satisfy the admission and graduation requirements of KULeuven. 

Application procedure for both vacancies

Interested applicants should submit one merged PDF document containing: 

1. A cover letter (maximum two pages) indicating the PhD position applied for (Dairy Nutrition or Agroforestry) and summarising the applicant’s motivation and suitability. 
2. A 3-5-page concept note relevant to the selected PhD topic. 
3. Scientific curriculum vitae, including a brief description of the applicant’s contribution to multi-authored papers (where applicable). 
4. Names and contact details of two academic referees. 

Separate PDF documents: 

• Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates (BSc and MSc). The transcripts should list all courses taken and the grades obtained, together with an explanation of the grading system. Where available, the student’s ranking within the cohort should also be included. 
• A copy of the Master’s thesis. 
• Copies of publications (where applicable). 
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Submission: Applications must be submitted by Friday 14^th August 2026 at 5:00pm, through e-mail to Dr. Pius Lutakome and Mrs Sylvia Decocker. Contact details:  

1. Dr. Pius Lutakome 
   Project Contact Person, Makerere University 
   pius.lutakome@mak.ac.ug/plutakome@gmail.com      
2. Mrs. Sylvia Decocker Administrative Contact Person, Ghent University Sylvia.Decocker@UGent.be

Administrative Contact Person, Ghent University 

Sylvia.Decocker@UGent.be 

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Selection process and timeline 

The project evaluation committee will evaluate applications and shortlist candidates. 

Shortlisted candidates will be informed on 1^st September 2026. 

Shortlisted candidates are expected to: 

• Be available to complete an online assessment between 1^st and 7^th September 2026. 
• Be available for an online interview on 14^th September 2026. The exact interview time will be communicated in the invitation sent on 1^st September 2026. 

The successful candidates are expected to: 

• Commence the PhD on 6^th November 2026. 
• Undertake their first research visit to the Belgian host university in February 2027. 

It is with great pride, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose that I present the 2025 Annual Report of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University.

This report reflects a year of resilience, transformation, innovation, and growing impact as the College continued to strengthen its contribution to agricultural development, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and human capital development in Uganda, Africa, and beyond.

At CAES, we remain firmly committed to Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research intense institution that responds meaningfully to national, regional, and global development priorities. Guided by our “Innovation Intentional Agenda” and anchored in the CAES Pact for Transformational Change, we continue to reposition the College as a center of excellence in practical training, impactful research, innovation, and community transformation.

During the year under review, the College continued to advance teaching and learning through the delivery of 42 academic programmes supported by experiential and field-based learning approaches. Our commitment to practical education remained central, with approximately 60% of undergraduate training dedicated to hands-on learning through laboratories, university farms, research institutes, field stations, internships, and community engagement platforms.

The College enrolled over 16,000 students, including a growing number of graduate and international students, affirming CAES’ expanding regional and global relevance. The College also celebrated significant milestones in graduate training and academic excellence. We proudly presented 562 graduates during the 75^th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University, including 19 PhD graduates whose research addressed critical issues in climate resilience, food systems, agricultural productivity, environmental management, innovation systems, and rural livelihoods. The inaugural CAES Doctoral Symposium further strengthened our commitment to nurturing impactful, interdisciplinary, and solution-oriented research capable of addressing the complex challenges facing society today.

Research and innovation remained at the heart of our mandate. Across our three Schools, two research institutes, and specialized centres, CAES continued to generate knowledge, technologies, and innovations that are transforming communities and industries. The College implemented numerous government- and donor-funded projects addressing food security, climate adaptation, clean energy, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban systems, agricultural commercialization, nutrition, and youth employment.

Several of our researchers and students received national and international recognition for excellence in research, innovation commercialization, and scientific contribution.

Notably, the College strengthened strategic partnerships with universities, research organizations, development agencies, governments, and the private sector. These collaborations enhanced graduate training, mobility, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary research.

We also continued to invest in digital transformation and modern learning infrastructure, including the enhancement of the CAES e-Learning Studio and improvements in student mobility and practical training support systems.

As we reflect on the achievements of 2025, we remain cognizant of the emerging challenges facing agricultural and environmental systems globally, including climate change, food insecurity, ecosystem degradation, unemployment, and inequality. These challenges demand bold thinking, innovation, strategic partnerships, and a new generation of highly skilled graduates and researchers capable of driving transformative change. CAES remains fully committed to contributing solutions through research-led teaching, innovation, entrepreneurship, policy engagement, and community outreach.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government of Uganda, Makerere University Council and Management, our development partners, collaborators, alumni, staff, students, and surrounding communities for their continued support and confidence in CAES.

I particularly commend our staff and students whose dedication, resilience, and creativity continue to position the College among the leading institutions in agricultural and environmental sciences in Africa. As we look ahead, we remain inspired by the belief that universities must not only generate knowledge but must also shape futures, transform communities, and provide solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. Together, we shall continue to strengthen CAES as a vibrant hub for innovation, excellence, sustainability, and transformative impact.

_{By Damali Mukhaye}

The Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University, an initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, has launched an inclusive Youth Skilling Program aimed at equipping young people with practical, market-driven skills to unlock business opportunities and contribute to climate resilience.

The Program will begin with a pilot of fifty (50) youth selected from Lwengo, Rakai and Yumbe districts, forming the first group of a planned 500 young people to be trained over the eight-year implementation period. The initiative targets youth who have completed at least Senior Four or its equivalent but have not enrolled for or completed university education.

For the first group, the youth will receive intensive hands-on training across the poultry value chain, enabling participants to develop climate-smart enterprises, create employment opportunities and strengthen their livelihoods.

The Program Director of the Africa Climate Collaborative, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, indicated that the Skilling Program was designed in response to the challenges faced by thousands of young people who are not in employment, formal education or vocational training (NEET).

“We realised that there are several young people who never got an opportunity to attend university or pursue higher education, yet they constitute the majority of our population. We are intentionally creating pathways that enable them to acquire practical skills, participate meaningfully in the economy and secure dignified employment,” Prof. Nabanoga said.

Applications for the first group under youth skilling program are now open to eligible youth residing in either Lwengo Sub-County in Lwengo district, Ddwaniro Sub-County in Rakai district, Zone 5 of the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, or Ariwa Sub-County in Yumbe District.

Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga explained that the Africa Climate Collaborative deliberately selected these locations because they are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

 The programme prioritises districts within Uganda’s agropastoral landscape. She further indicated that the Program is aimed at nurturing young people who will serve as catalysts for enterprise development within their communities.

“The training will equip participants with practical skills that enable them to innovate around climate-related challenges while protecting the environment. Ultimately, they will generate income, improve their livelihoods and become catalysts for local economic transformation.” she said.

Why Poultry?

The Africa Climate Collaborative selected the poultry value chain as the entry point for the pilot because it offers diverse opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.

According to Prof. Nabanoga, trainees will specialise in different components of the value chain, including feed production, hatchery management, poultry production, poultry product value addition and poultry waste management.

“The poultry sector offers numerous opportunities for innovation. By developing expertise across different components of the value chain, these young people will collectively strengthen the entire poultry ecosystem.”

Environmental sustainability remains central to the program. Participants will be introduced to climate-smart production practices, resource efficiency and innovative approaches to poultry waste management that minimise environmental impacts while improving productivity.

Program participants are expected to become community resource persons who will transfer the acquired knowledge and skills to other young people.

“These young people will become trainers of trainers. When they return to their communities, they will establish enterprises and mentor others, creating a critical mass of youth engaged in climate-smart businesses.”She noted.

District Leaders and Experts Welcome the Initiative

District leaders have welcomed the program, describing it as a timely intervention for addressing youth unemployment.

Francis Bwowe, Senior Agricultural Officer for Rakai District, described the intervention as timely and transformative.

He noted that the closure of Primary Teachers’ Colleges and the increasing costs of post-secondary education have left many youths without viable alternatives.

“Many young people who complete Senior Four have nowhere to go. Therefore, a program that equips them with practical skills to start their own businesses is extremely important. We believe it will help them become self-reliant and earn a living,” he explained.

Community leaders also expressed optimism about the program’s potential to transform livelihoods.

Mr. George Kizito, LCII Chairperson of Kalere Parish in Rakai District, said unemployment remains one of the greatest challenges facing young people.

“The opportunities exist, but many young people lack the capacity and confidence to create jobs for themselves. In our community, people involved in poultry farming are earning good money, but many youths simply watch because they do not know where to start from,” he said.

The program has also received positive reactions from technical experts. Responding through one of the Africa Climate Collaborative’s social media platforms, Ms. Nehwera Eufemia, a specialist in animal feeds, commended the decision to prioritise feed production.

“Feed accounts for nearly 70 percent of poultry production costs and is the single most important factor influencing profitability. Strengthening skills in feed production provides a strong foundation for improving productivity and sustainability across the entire poultry value chain” she observed.

Ms. Eufemia encouraged eligible young Ugandans to apply and take advantage of the opportunity.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to young people residing in:

1. Lwengo Sub-county, Lwengo District;
2. Ddwaniro Sub-county, Rakai District;
3. Zone 5, Bidibidi Refugee Settlement; and
4. Ariwa Sub-county, Yumbe District.

Eligible applicants must have completed at least Senior Four (O-Level) or its equivalent but should not have enrolled for or completed university education. Applicants must also be between 18 and 35 years of age by the application deadline and should not be engaged in any form of formal employment or training.

Young women, young mothers, refugees and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Application forms are available at NO COST through the online application portal at https://climatecollaborative.mak.ac.ug/application.

Applicants from Lwengo and Rakai districts may also obtain application forms through the District Production Offices and Sub-county Community Development Offices, while applicants from Yumbe can access forms through the Yangani Protection Desk at Ariwa Reception Centre and the Office of the RWC3 in Zone 5 of the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

Applications should be submitted through the online portal, by email to climateresilience@mak.ac.ug or physically delivered to the designated district offices at NO COST.

Applications close on Thursday, 9 July 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further selection engagements. For further information, interested applicants may contact the program team on +256 744 773237.