Muteesa I Royal University launches agricultural course to equip students with practical and agribusiness skills
MASAKA, July 28, 2026 — Muteesa I Royal University has launched a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture programme aimed at equipping students with practical agricultural and agribusiness skills through training in climate-smart farming, soil management, research, and sustainable agricultural practices to support communities in Buganda and across Uganda.
Speaking at the official launch of the four-year degree programme in Masaka City on Friday, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Kakembo, said the programme had been designed to respond to the needs of communities in the Buganda region by producing graduates with practical knowledge in crop and animal production, plant breeding, pest management, and agricultural research to improve crop health and productivity.
Prof. Kakembo revealed that the National Council for Higher Education [NCHE] granted approval for the university to offer the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture on April 24, 2026.
He noted that the university’s core pillars are teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement.
“The graduates will be fully empowered after four years of training to create employment opportunities through modern and commercial agriculture,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also called upon the people of Buganda, particularly those in the Masaka region, to support the new programme, saying it would help address the shortage of competent agricultural extension workers, especially in Buddu County.
“We are confident that this programme will contribute significantly to transforming agricultural production, strengthening food security and improving rural livelihoods in the Buganda region,” Kakembo said.
The University’s Academic Registrar, Dr Fred Musisi Kamoga, said the decision to introduce the programme was influenced by the region’s agricultural potential and the vision of the Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who encouraged the university to establish programmes that directly benefit surrounding communities.
“By introducing this Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, the university has become even more relevant to the needs of the local community,” he said.
Kamoga announced that admissions for the August 2026 intake are now open. He added that the university also plans to introduce short courses tailored to the needs of communities in the greater Masaka region.
The degree programme is open to students who have completed Advanced Level education as well as diploma holders seeking to upgrade to bachelor’s degrees. In addition, the university plans to offer short courses to equip local farmers with modern farming techniques and improved agricultural practices.
“We are beginning with a small intake of only 50 students because this is a highly practical programme that requires extensive field training. Our goal is to provide quality education that produces competent graduates who will make a meaningful contribution to their communities after four years of study,” Kamoga said.
The Manager of the NARO-Kamenyamigo Agricultural Training Centre, Dr Godfrey Seruwu, said the institution had partnered with Muteesa I Royal University to develop the curriculum and support practical training for students.
“Our training centre will provide technical expertise, human resources and practical field training to ensure that students integrate classroom learning with hands-on agricultural experience,” he explained.
The launch was officiated by the Buganda Minister for Agriculture, Amis Kakomo, who said the new degree programme aligns with Buganda Kingdom’s strategic efforts to promote agricultural education, increase production of both cash and food crops, and strengthen food security.
“We want to build human capital with the knowledge and capacity needed to modernise agriculture, increase resilience and ensure food security in Buganda,” he said.
Kakomo noted that the Kingdom’s ‘Emmwanyi Terimba’ initiative, launched by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, continues to encourage coffee growing as a means of increasing household incomes.
He said Buganda Kingdom has consistently prioritised agriculture as a driver of socio-economic transformation through coffee production, livestock farming, poultry, aquaculture, value addition, and environmental conservation using climate-smart agricultural practices.
“We want our people to embrace agriculture as a business for income generation rather than merely farming for subsistence. Agriculture remains the foundation of sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Hajj Kakomo described the launch of the programme as a demonstration of Buganda Kingdom’s commitment to promoting development through quality agricultural education.
“The university will produce experts capable of conducting research and innovation, improving agricultural practices, promoting modern technologies, combating hunger and creating employment opportunities for young people,” he said.
He added that the Kingdom was grateful that the university would begin producing agricultural researchers and extension specialists with practical knowledge capable of improving productivity, increasing yields and enhancing household incomes.
Muteesa I Royal University’s Kirumba Campus in Masaka City partnered with the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO], which supported the development of the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture programme.
Other partners include Makerere University, the National Curriculum Development Centre [NCDC], Buganda Cultural Development Foundation [BUKADEF], and the Masaka Diocesan Development Organisation [MADDO].
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