ENTEBBE –The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Ndejje University and Busitema University at its headquarters in Entebbe. These agreements aim to enhance cooperation in research, training, and resource sharing to support national development and promote high-quality agricultural innovations. The agreements, signed by Dr. Yona Baguma, the NARO Director General, alongside Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja, Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University, and Rev. Can. Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, are poised to strengthen Uganda’s research and training capacity in agriculture and related sciences.
The MoUs seek to establish multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research cooperation, focusing on conducting basic, applied, strategic, and collaborative research with business opportunities. They also aim to promote high-quality training of scientists and human resources for sustainable development while enhancing the utilization of human, laboratory, and physical resources between NARO and the universities. To achieve these goals, the parties agreed to undertake joint activities, including research and innovation projects, training programs and student supervision, community outreach and technology transfer, and staff exchange programs to foster knowledge-sharing.
Additionally, both agreements commit the institutions to developing joint research proposals and securing donor funding for shared programs, sharing research facilities, technical and scientific information, and library resources, holding joint seminars, workshops, and conferences to disseminate research findings, collaborating on intellectual property protection for jointly acquired innovations, identifying secure accommodation for visiting students and staff, and supporting industrial training programs at MSc and PhD levels.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Yona Baguma emphasized the importance of these partnerships in advancing agricultural research and innovation.
“These agreements will enable us to leverage our combined expertise and infrastructure to enhance research and training, which are critical for socio-economic transformation of Uganda. Collaboration with academia is vital in driving evidence-based policies and developing solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges,” he stated.
He further noted that universities are knowledge generators while NARO is a technology generator, and these partnerships ensure that knowledge is transitioned into technology through availing students with opportunities for hands-on experiences.
“When we come together, we deliver at scale, and society is the ultimate beneficiary of our works,” he added.
Prof. Nassaka and Prof. Waako expressed optimism that these partnerships would provide their students and researchers with greater exposure to cutting-edge agricultural technologies and practical learning experiences. Prof. Waako described the partnership as strategic, noting that Busitema University is one of the rapidly growing universities in the country.
In attendance were the NARO Deputy Directors for Research Coordination and Agricultural Technology Promotion, Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa and Dr. Sadik Kassim, respectively. The Director Corporate Services, Dr. Kisaka Stevens, the Director Finance, Mr. Julius Tegiike, Director Internal Audit, Mr. Owor Dennis, also attended among other officials.
The MoUs take immediate effect, with both universities and NARO set to develop implementation plans for the agreed activities. Regular progress reviews will be conducted to ensure the objectives are met. This collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to Uganda’s Vision 2040 goals of transforming agriculture into a knowledge-based and market-oriented sector.
