RUFORUM backs Mountains of the Moon University to boost agricultural innovation, skills development

FORT PORTAL CITY, October 26, 2026 — The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture [ RUFORUM ] has pledged to strengthen its partnership with Mountains of the Moon University [MMU] to promote agricultural research, innovation, skills development and improved farming productivity.

RUFORUM Executive Secretary, Prof. Patrick Okori, said African universities must move beyond academic research and develop practical, science-based solutions to address low agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ incomes and transform rural livelihoods.

Speaking during a recent strategic engagement at MMU’s campus in Fort Portal City, Okori challenged the university to become a model institution in translating scientific research into innovations that directly benefit farming communities.

He said universities have a critical role to play in addressing Africa’s agricultural challenges through research, technological innovation and evidence-based interventions that deliver measurable improvements in productivity.

“Universities need to use scientific research and measurable evidence to help farmers increase production and improve their incomes,” Okori said.

He expressed concern over Africa’s persistently low agricultural labour productivity, citing estimates of US$9–16 per hour compared with US$50–74 in other regions.

According to him, the continent’s agricultural transformation will largely depend on the ability of universities to generate knowledge, develop appropriate technologies and equip graduates with practical skills to address challenges facing farmers.

Okori said research institutions must increasingly demonstrate their relevance through tangible improvements in agricultural practices, household incomes and rural livelihoods.

The engagement explored opportunities for MMU to benefit from RUFORUM’s continental network through postgraduate training, collaborative research, resource mobilisation, academic exchanges and partnerships with universities and development institutions across Africa and beyond.

MMU, which joined RUFORUM in 2023, is seeking to strengthen its research capacity, expand institutional partnerships and position itself as a leading centre for agricultural innovation and community transformation.

Welcoming the RUFORUM delegation, MMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Coxwel Achanga, outlined the university’s strategic priorities and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting research and innovations that respond to the needs of local communities.

He emphasised the importance of integrating scientific research with indigenous knowledge, saying farmers’ practical experiences should inform the development of sustainable agricultural technologies and interventions.

Achanga said collaboration between universities and farming communities was essential in ensuring that research findings translated into practical solutions capable of improving agricultural production and livelihoods.

Promoting practical agricultural training

During the discussions, MMU presented plans to establish model farms that will serve as centres for practical training, applied research and technology demonstration.

The Dean of MMU’s Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Joshua Wesana, said the proposed farms would provide students with hands-on experience while enabling researchers to work directly with farmers to identify and address production challenges.

He explained that the initiative would strengthen collaboration among universities, farmers, agricultural industries, government agencies and development partners in developing and promoting locally appropriate agricultural innovations.

The model farms are also expected to provide platforms for demonstrating improved farming practices, testing agricultural technologies and strengthening the relationship between classroom learning and practical field experience.

The university further presented its Triple F model, an integrated agricultural approach combining food, feed and forests through crop production, livestock rearing and tree planting.

The model seeks to improve household incomes, strengthen food security, maintain soil fertility and conserve biodiversity through sustainable agricultural practices.

Retired MMU lecturer Clovis Kabaseke said the approach promotes agricultural sustainability, resilience and farmer sovereignty by balancing increased production with responsible management of natural resources.

He explained that integrating crops, livestock and trees would help farming households maximise the benefits of their land while protecting the environment and strengthening their resilience to agricultural challenges.

Strengthening research partnerships

Okori reaffirmed RUFORUM’s commitment to supporting MMU in establishing stronger links with universities, research institutions and development partners across Africa.

He said the collaboration would create opportunities for joint research projects, competitive grants, postgraduate training, academic exchanges and knowledge sharing.

He encouraged MMU to develop innovative approaches that could be replicated by other African universities, particularly in linking agricultural education and research to community development.

Okori also highlighted forthcoming regional engagements, including RUFORUM’s planned Annual General Meeting [AGM] in Lusaka, Zambia, and the Community-Based Education and Training [CBET] meeting scheduled for August 2027.

He said the engagements would provide opportunities for universities to share experiences, showcase innovations and establish partnerships aimed at strengthening agricultural education and research across the continent.

The discussions identified institutional capacity development, postgraduate training, collaborative research and university–community partnerships as priority areas for further cooperation.

The renewed collaboration forms part of RUFORUM’s broader efforts to position African universities as centres of scientific innovation, human capital development and agricultural transformation.

Established in 2004 and the Secretariat hosted at Makerere University, RUFORUM is a continental network comprising 175 universities across 40 African countries. It promotes collaboration in agricultural research, training, policy engagement and sustainable development.

For Mountains of the Moon University, the strengthened partnership is expected to expand research opportunities, improve practical skills development and enhance its contribution to addressing agricultural challenges in Uganda and the wider African region.

https://thecooperator.news/ugandan-okori-appointed-new-ruforum-executive-secretary/

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