Uganda Martyrs University is excited to announce the first cohort of 16 scholars for the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) program. The 16 scholars for the 2025/2026 academic year were selected from a competitive pool of 928 applicants, including 376 females, 552 males, 151 refugees and 53 differently abled persons. The selection committee meticulously evaluated each application with a deliberate effort to enhance gender balance and representation from marginalized groups, thereby setting a precedent for future cohorts. Uganda Martyrs University joined the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) […]

The Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) invites you to join the virtual Annual General Meeting Pre-launch webinar scheduled for; 📅 31st July 2025 ⏲️ 14.00-16:00 CAT, 15:00-17:00 EAT, 12:00-14:00 GMT 📍 Register here This webinar will explore the role of academia in driving innovation, food systems transformation, and policy influence in Africa.

BACKGROUND The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Gulu University (Uganda), Egerton University (Kenya), Africa University (Zimbabwe), University of the Free State (South Africa), Malawi University of Science and Technology (Malawi), University of Eldoret (Kenya), Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda), University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria), University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of Bamenda (Cameroon), National University of Agriculture (Benin), and Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (Morocco) are implementing a 10-year programme (2023-2033) called Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0). The programme seeks to strengthen universities and […]

21–25 July 2025 | Protea Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda  The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is organizing a five-day regional training workshop from 21st to 25th July 2025 at Protea Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda, under the theme: “Pedagogy in Short Course Development for Climate Change and Agri-Food Systems.” The workshop aims to build the capacity of university faculty and staff in designing and delivering flexible, high-impact short courses that address Africa’s pressing climate and agri-food system challenges. The training focuses on practical instructional design, adult learning principles, inclusive pedagogy, and blended delivery approaches. Participants include representatives from South Sudanese […]

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The RUFORUM Network is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Professor Livingstone Sserwadda Luboobi, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University (2004-2009) and inaugural Board Chair of RUFORUM. Professor Luboobi’s tenure as the Board Chair was marked by his commitment towards academic excellence, his leadership and vision were foundational in the establishment of our network which has now grown to 175 member universities across 40 countries in Africa. The RUFORUM network works in collaboration with other university networks, development partners and policymakers in order to deliver scientific solutions for sustainable development, human capital development, and institutional reform in the […]

By: Yolisa Xatasi Dr. Alina Ntsiapane’s journey in agriculture is a powerful testament to how passion, education, and unwavering commitment can drive profound social change. Growing up, Dr. Ntsiapane witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of food insecurity and poverty in rural communities. This ignited a deep desire to be part of the solution, leading her to identify agriculture as the most powerful tool for transformation. Dr. Ntsiapane’s academic path was strategically aligned with her vision. She began with a Bachelor of Agriculture Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), progressing to an Honours degree, and ultimately achieving her […]

By: Yolisa Xatasi How one University of the Free State alumnus, young farmer Bonga Madyibi from Matatiele, is leveraging his education and a passion for livestock to revolutionize sustainable farming practices, empower his community, and build a thriving entrepreneurial venture from the ground up. For Bonga Madyibi, a lifelong passion for agriculture, sparked during childhood holidays spent tending to his uncle’s livestock, has blossomed into a career defined by innovation and community leadership. His journey from a young animal lover to a successful sheep farming entrepreneur is a powerful testament to how a world-class education, combined with hands-on experience, can […]

Module Overview This course will focus on practical tools, metadata standards, FAIR principles, and ethical practices necessary for robust data systems. Participants will gain hands-on experience in implementing sustainable data management within their institutional or project settings. Open to Ex IFS grantees from Africa and across the world. Registration link: https://bit.ly/3Tyw1Ay 

The Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Program is an initiative by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to enhance the quality of teaching and research in African universities. The program seeks to address critical academic staff shortages in higher education institutions while equipping graduate students with valuable teaching and professional development opportunities. The RUFORUM GTA program envisions a vibrant academic ecosystem where graduate students are actively engaged in teaching, research, and mentorship, contributing to developing sustainable solutions for Africa’s agricultural and development challenges. There are currently 18 GTA Positions available at Bishop Stuart University in Uganda under […]

In academia and research, the ability to communicate ideas, findings, and proposals with clarity and precision is paramount. Graduate students and faculty members, as the backbone of scholarly and scientific pursuits, often face the challenge of crafting well-structured and impactful technical and scientific documents. Recognizing this critical need, the Scientific Writing Training aims to enhance the writing skills of this vital audience, empowering them to effectively convey their knowledge and contributions to the global community. This Training is designed to address common challenges in technical and scientific writing, focusing on essential elements such as structuring arguments, ensuring linguistic accuracy, adhering to […]

20 June 2025, Kampala, Uganda – In a memorable showcase of partnership and purpose, the Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) recently hosted the Mastercard Foundation Executive Committee under the Transforming Agricultural Universities to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) flagship programme. This momentous assemblage, held at the RUFORUM Secretariat, aimed to spotlight the programmes progress and the transformative impact of its member universities and alumni. The TAGDev 2.0, a scaled-up extension that builds on the success of TAGDev 1.0, seeks to empower universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to better serve […]

Malawi University of Science and Technology Announces First Cohort of 11 TAGDev 2.0 Program Scholars Exciting news from Malawi! As part of the transformative TAGDev 2.0 program, in partnership with The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) recently announced its first cohort of scholars. The call for applications was launched in December 2024, drawing an impressive pool of 585 applicants. After a rigorous selection process, involving a comprehensive 10-stage recruitment procedure conducted by the RUFORUM Secretariat, 11 candidates were officially awarded scholarships by the committee during their meeting on July […]

RUFORUM Annual Report 2022 – 2023.pdf

Module Overview This module introduces foundational concepts in data management, data science, and bioinformatics. It explores data collection, storage, analysis, and application in research and innovation across Africa. Using real-world examples and interactive activities, it simplifies complex topics for beginners from any background with no technical expertise required. Open to Ex IFS grantees from Africa and across the world. Registration link: https://shorturl.at/ksVRi  

🌍 The AICCRA West Africa team was honored to receive an award for an outstanding science-led outcome, awarded during the 2025 Science Week of The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Vientiane, Laos recently. The award recognizes and celebrates the impact of the partnership with RUFORUM and WASCAL Climate in transforming higher education in Africa, equipping the next generation of leaders with knowledge and tools on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and climate information services (CIS). 🌱 🔗 Read the outcome story here: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/b9c987e9-7fb5-4eaa-9d61-00415ab19f18 And the AICCRA blog: https://aiccra.cgiar.org/news/wascal-aiccra-and-ruforum-build-capacities-towards-developing-university-curricula-climate

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Africa’s agricultural sector is distinguished by its rich and diverse adaptive traditional techniques that have been essential for food security over the decades. However, in northern Uganda, agricultural practices have encountered systemic inefficiencies that have particularly impacted smallholder farmers, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), leaving them vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. These farmers are grappling with limited access to affordable, quality inputs such as climate-smart seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and industrial tools. The scarcity of effective advisory services has compelled farmers to rely on outdated and unsustainable farming practices, exacerbated by an inadequate advisory ratio of one […]