By Ritah Mukasa
Six agro ecology facilities worth billions have been launched and handed over to the leadership of Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Nkozi campus, Mpigi district.
The facilities include; a feeds mill facility, a modern soil laboratory and agriculture machinery including a multi-purpose tractor and community training facility. Others are; a local radio station named UMU-ACE radio and state of the art students’ hostel.
The six facilities are under the African Centre for Agro-ecology and Livelihood Systems (ACALISE) project funded by World Bank and the government of Uganda.
Prof. Kyamanywa, the UMU Vice Chancellor says, the feed mill facility will enhance agricultural productivity and support local farmers with cost-effective animal feeds solutions while the multi-purpose tractor and its implements will improve farming efficiency and productivity.
Relatedly, the modern soil laboratory is already facilitating advanced soil analysis and research to support sustainable agricultural practices.
There is more; Dr Jude Ssebuwufu, the project director says, they also set up a community training facility to boost trainings and capacity-building programs in agro-ecology and related fields.
On the other hand, UMU will use the radio to disseminate knowledge, research findings, and best practices in agro-ecology and livelihood systems while fostering community engagement. The student’s hostel is a dedicated residence for postgraduate students and it will provide a conducive living and learning environment.
While officiating at the launch last week, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the State Minister for Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and national guidance thanked UMU for having diligently and satisfactorily used government funds.
Ssebugwawo who was represented by Moses Watasa, expressed gratitude over the Auditor General’s positive report about the Centre, adding that most of the facilities are income generating.
Watasa is a commissioner for Information dissemination, monitoring and Inspection.
Being state minister for ICT, Ssebugwawo was happy to inaugurate the local radio station, saying it is a wonderful initiative that embodies innovation, education, and community engagement the esteemed Catholic University stands for.
Also in attendance were UMU deputy VC, Dr. Christopher B Mukidi and Tadeo Muhindo who represented the governing council.
Others are former Vice Chancellor Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri and ACALISE historical Prof. Wycliffe Zake. The ministries; of education and agriculture and Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) were also represented.
Prof. Kyamanywa said UMU is the only private university that qualified to host the centre and the project has taken five years but a lot has been achieved including several PhD and masters graduates plus state-of-the-art infrastructure.
“ACALISE promotes sustainable regenerative techniques that increase yields without damaging the environment. That way, humans and animals are protected,” he says.
About ACALISE
It is one of 24 centres of Excellence in Eastern and Southern Africa under the African Centers of Excellence (ACE II) project, supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) through eight regional governments. At UMU, ACALISE has been directly financed by the Government of Uganda through a World Bank loan.
The centre aims to produce highly motivated, ethically oriented experts in agro-ecology and livelihood systems to address agricultural, nutritional, and environmental challenges in the region.
Uganda has four centers; two at Makerere University, one at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the fourth at UMU.
