As Uganda strives to develop agriculture, the country’s backbone, education experts have recommended that driving innovation and quality is crucial for unlocking a global competitive edge in the sector.
“For [Uganda’s] agricultural sector to thrive on the global stage, we must focus on quality assurance, value addition and innovative farming techniques,” John Chrysostom Muyingo, the state minister for higher education, said.
Muyingo’s remarks were contained in his speech delivered by the director of the education standards directorate, Frances Atima.
Embracing agri-tech solutions such as precision farming and supply chain transparency will improve the productivity and competitiveness of Uganda’s produce as well as unlock opportunities in international markets, Muyingo noted.
This calls for research, innovation, and adherence to global quality standards.
He made the remarks during the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Festival 2025 at Kyambogo University recently.
STEAM is a platform where students share innovations and possible solutions to challenges affecting different communities and various sectors.
This year’s festival, held under the theme, Demystifying Science, Technology, and Innovation for Community Development, focused on igniting a passion for innovation among individuals in and out of university.
Additionally, the theme, Muyingo said, aligns with Uganda’s strategy of relying on science, technology and innovation as tools for economic growth and social transformation.
Given that education is the cornerstone of progress, Muyingo advised university dons to use it as a catalyst for deep tech innovations.
“As we navigate the fourth industrial revolution, our education system must foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills and innovative research, driving technological advancements and future success,” he said.
By investing in the sciences and fostering creativity through the arts, Muyingo added, universities will prepare youth to lead the future of deep tech innovations that will solve the country’s pressing challenges.
“Let us challenge ourselves to think beyond limitations, to collaborate across disciplines and to translate ideas into impactful solutions,” he said.
Innovations exhibited One of the exhibitions was a poultry fumigation chamber developed by Vincent Arinda and Thomas Eyunu, second-year students at the Kyambogo University agriculture faculty.
Arinda said the fumigants are meant to prevent pests and diseases, kill dangerous micro-organisms and boost the livestock’s immunity.
“Once you have obtained this equipment on a large scale, you can easily fumigate your poultry. For instance, a thousand of them, you can fumigate in a few hours,” Arinda said.
To beat the challenges farmers face when they use counterfeit fertilisers and chemical pesticides, Justine Natukunda and Joshua Olu, second-year students doing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture (vocational studies), developed an organic, pesticide-free liquid fertiliser.
“We used animal waste, such as cow dung, chicken droppings and goat urine to create this fertiliser.
We use decomposed waste because fresh waste can harm plants. This fertiliser provides essential nutrients to plants while minimising the use of counterfeit chemicals,” Natukunda said.
To apply the fertiliser, Natukunda recommended that farmers spray it directly on the crop leaves using a knapsack sprayer or on the soil during morning hours, allowing the liquid to be absorbed into the soil.
Additional support required
To foster student innovation, the dean of the faculty of science and technology at Kyambogo University, Dr Ediriisa Mugampoza, urged the Government to offer special-purpose grants to enable universities to pursue brilliant ideas.
Some of the innovations exhibited where funding can be directed include speciality helmets, chicken drinkers and feeders from plastic waste and the production of pasteurised organic manure to enhance organic food production.
Other ideas include the development of a solar-powered mower and the production of an aerial drone.
Aside from working with government agencies, the vice-chancellor of Kyambogo University, Prof. Eli Katunguka, called for partnerships with the private sector to support farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses in leveraging technology for agricultural transformation.
Regarding enhancing quality and innovation for globally competitive agro-products, Katunguka emphasised the need to integrate digital technologies and advanced processing techniques to boost agricultural productivity and meet international standards.
Katunguka’s remarks were contained in his speech delivered by the deputy vice-chancellor, finance and administration, Assoc. Prof. Justus Kwetegyeka.
Idea fighting bad odours
Gloria Nansumba, an innovator from Kabanyoro Research Institute, exhibited indigenous microbes that farmers can use to eliminate bad odours, mainly from piggery, poultry and toilets.
Nansumba uses rice water, molasses and milk to prepare her creation.
“First, I ferment the rice water, then add milk and ferment again. The liquid obtained from fermenting milk with rice water is then added to molasses and fermented for two weeks, after which it’s ready for use,” she said.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Second-year agriculture students Joshua Olu and Justine Natukunda explain the organic pesticide-induced liquid fertiliser they developed to Frances Atima, during the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Festival at Kyambogo. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
