Latest Updates

By Aliet Mmbone Ugada I still vividly remember that afternoon when all Mastercard scholars at Gulu University gathered to listen to the next course of action. The university had been closed as one of the measures by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learning had come to a stop and students had to return to their respective homes. But as an international … Read More I started a YouTube channel to educate the public on nutrition

By Mahoussi Simone During lockdown, I have been undertaking a number of activities. I started a project to produce and market smoked fish in Benin. This project will ensure food security and the safety of the community. Currently, we are constructing the space which we shall use to smoke the fish. I have also been supporting my family to undertake agricultural activities within our … Read More I have set up a project to produce and market smoked fish

By Emmanuel Dusabimana Time flies. It is now three years since I left home in Rwanda to pursue my undergraduate studies at Gulu University in Uganda. During this period, I have tried to undertake a number of projects back home such as piggery and poultry farming, which did not succeed largely because of poor management skills of the people who were handling the projects. … Read More Back home in Rwanda, I have a tomato farm

By Rogers Othieno Maido Centre, is a groundnut trading business located in Kaliro, Eastern Uganda. It is an enterprise I started running during the lockdown. The business is aimed at purchasing groundnuts from smallholder farmers, before processing it into paste and powder. The products are then sold to retail shops and individual buyers at the shop. The business currently holds 500 kilogrammes of groundnuts, … Read More Lockdown opened my eyes to business opportunities

By David Ekepu, Technical Specialist-Sentinel Project, RUFORUM There have been declining funding levels for the agricultural sector and university education coupled with institutional reforms that are characterized by institutionalization of competitive grants. This implies that the survival of researchers and their respective institutions relies strongly on the ability to attract funding through formulation of winning proposals. However, writing winning proposals requires great experience and … Read More RUFORUM trains masters and doctoral students on grant proposal development through the Social and Environmental Trade-offs in African Agriculture (SENTINEL) Project

I started school when my mother had passed on and later my father passed on when I was in primary. Life was not easy. I had to put in extra effort to get an education which my siblings on the other hand did not get a chance to get. And despite no one offering career guidance, I remained focused and was able to go … Read More I bought a cow to supply milk to nearby hotels

I have been engaged in a number of entrepreneurial projects in the last few months. I started off with running a piggery project and later started goats rearing along side the piggery project. Currently, I have eight local goats and hope to increase the numbers after learning the proper livestock management practices. With no school to attend at the moment, my day-to-day work involves … Read More I use digital platforms to market my pigs and goats

When COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, schools were closed and we returned home. As we were home, I didn’t do much in the first month because I Knew that schools would be    re-opened within a few months. As time passed by, the number of COVID-19 cases increased, not only in Uganda but globally and there was no hope of going back to school within … Read More I started running a Mobile Money business

His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi on 1st July, 2021 will host a Pre- United Nations Food System Summit 2021 Dialogue for African Heads of State and Governments. H.E. Chakwera has rallied the African Heads of State as part of mobilizing continental level response to the UN Food Systems Summit called by the UN Secretary General, António Guterres. … Read More Government of Malawi to Host African Heads of State Summit on Food Systems

I had settled in relatively well with my career as a university lecturer and was prepared to offer my best to it. Anecdotal reactions from my students seemed to suggest that I was handling my teaching responsibilities sufficiently well. I became somewhat complacent and, for years, I felt that being a good teacher is all that would be required for progression in my teaching … Read More My PhD story

Kampala – 18 June 2021, News filtering through from Zambia on the passing on of H.E. Kenneth Kaunda, comes at a difficult time for the world and Africa in general. It is not such a pleasant time to receive sad news of a life worth celebrating than mourning. For Africa and Zambia and the higher education fraternity, H.E. Kaunda’s life is a symbol of … Read More [Press Release] Guardian Candle Burns Out: H.E. Kenneth Kaunda Laid a foundation for Higher Education in Zambia

Kampala – 17 June 2021, RUFORUM a network of 129 universities in 38 countries has been designated as a Champion to mobilize a diverse range of people in every region of the world to engage more deeply and develop into a broad and inclusive coalition for transformation of the world’s food systems through coordinated action before, during, and after the United Nations Food Systems … Read More [Press Release] Insights into Pathways for Strengthening Food Systems in Africa: Perspectives from selected Advocates for Africa’s Development

African universities are calling for increased investment in research and innovation for scientists to explore factors of agricultural production that could be utilised for enhancing sustainable food production and consumption on the continent. Universities want actors in Africa’s development, including governments, to raise funding for science to ensure resources such as land and water are used sustainably, and to ensure that appropriate technologies are … Read More Universities ask for funding injection in foodsystems research

By Francisca Muteti Ndinda My name is Francisca Muteti Ndinda, a second-year student at Gulu University. I’m pursuing a Master of Science in Agri Enterprises Development. Being a beneficiary of the scholarship under the MasterCard Foundation has not only transformed my life, it has also improved the lives of many around me. Before joining the programme, I used to struggle financially, to take care … Read More The Mastercard scholarship has left a positive impact in my life

Knowledge Sharing: Training Videos Community Engagement. Video Series developed by Julieta Mazzola, EARTH University. English What is Community Engagement?  Video 1 of 3.  https://youtu.be/etv2-W1U3O0 Different Forms of University Engagement with the Community. Video 2 of 3. https://youtu.be/73h2p8P0BLw Student learning through Community Engagement. Video 3 of 3. https://youtu.be/Ule3P1-tjC4 Español ¿Qué es compromiso comunitario? Video 1 de 3. https://youtu.be/73h2p8P0BLw Diferentes Formas de Compromiso de la Universidad … Read More Transforming Higher Education Videos and Links

Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a network of 129 African universities operating in 38 countries across Africa has created impact across the continent due to the contributions from several individuals, Institutions and Members. According to the meeting held in 2007 at Maputo, Mozambique, the RUFORUM Vice Chancellors decided that RUFORUM should recognize individuals who have made significant contribution towards Higher … Read More RUFORUM Recognizes Malawian Higher Education Champion

By Simon Kabugi Mbogo I am a third-year student at Egerton University in Kenya, pursuing a bachelors’ degree in Education. I believe in the saying that education is the key to success and an enhancer of personal awareness and growth. I enrolled at Egerton University in September 2017, having endured many challenges such as raising school fees, especially during my first year of enrolment. … Read More I rear sheep to boost my family income

By Sarah Kizza Through the financial support given to me by RUFORUM, I was able to start piggery farming last year. Although I started with two female pigs, recently one of them gave birth to five piglets. The second one is still pregnant. I have also been able to buy additional two piglets and one exotic boar. Besides rearing pigs, I teamed up with a … Read More I started a boutique during lockdown

By Ngwenchi Marilyn Goreh As a Cameroonian studying in Uganda, I have been undertaking a number of initiatives back home and in Uganda, and specifically in Gulu. In Cameroon, although I haven’t been engaged in a personal project, I offer financial support to my family. For instance, I pay for the cost of dialysis for my sister to ease the burden for my parents. … Read More My Cake baking passion is now a thriving business

By Amos Anyiego Bikwendo I am a student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Education at Egerton University, Kenya. My vision is to become a transformational leader and entrepreneur. I hope to create jobs that can lead to sustainable livelihoods for youth. Currently, I run a poultry project and supply eggs within the community. Despite having few hens, the project is running well and I … Read More I sell eggs in my community