The National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), which is one of the 16 public agricultural research Institutes under the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has acquired a new team of program leaders to provide strategic leadership for forestry research in the Country.
The new team was announced during the leadership transition meeting and handover of office by the outgoing team on Friday, 12th January, 2024 at the Institute located in Mukono District.
The new program leadership is composed of Dr. Judith Nantongo- Programme leader for Tree Improvement and Germplasm, Dr. Joel Buyinza, programme leader, Agro-forestry program, Dr. Fred M. Kalanzi, Programme leader for Forest Products and Services and Dr. Moreen Uwimbabazi, the Program leader, Forest Conservation and Management Programme.
They are taking over from Dr. Isaac Kiyingi- Forest Conservation and Management Research Programme, Dr. Bernard Fungo- Agroforestry Research Programme, Dr. Moreen Uwimbabazi- Forest Products and Services Research Programme, Tree Improvement and Germplasm Research Programme who have successfully served their terms.
During the meeting, the outgoing program leaders also handed over program assets and equipment all witnessed by the internal auditor in the presence of all management team members.
Tasks ahead of the new leadership include, team building and human resource management at program level, bridging funding shortfalls within the programs to complement Government funding, forestry research publications, data management, operationalising the Mbale rural resource centre and improve reporting and product development for forestry products.
While handing over the leadership, the Outgoing Officers applauded the Director of Research – Dr Hillary Agaba for supporting them during their term of service.
Some of the major achievements registered by the old leadership team include, the KAV 400 anti-diabetic therapy, submission of forest products to the Intellectual Property unit for registration, rehabilitation of the once degraded Kifu reserve forest, establishment of field rural resource centre in Mbale District, where communities are taught how to address the global challenge of climate change and also learn the impact on the communities.
Other achievements include, multiplication of in-situ and ex-situ gene banks for conservation and establishment of a station trial on banana, coffee and trees interaction among others.
The Director of Research, Dr Hillary Agaba challenged the new programme leaders to be team players, widely consult and ensure that their respective units remain efficient.
Dr. Agaba also advised the outgoing programme leaders to continue with the tradition of the Institute based on supporting and respecting leadership to deliver forestry research outputs.
According to him, with the new leaders in place, NaFORRI will aim to further its research and contribute to the development of forestry in Uganda across the Agro-Forestry Research Program, Forest Conservation and Management Program, Tree Improvement and Germplasm Program, and Forest Products and Services which are all contribute to the Institute’s mission to enhance a competitive society supported by a dynamic agricultural research innovation system.
“Our mission as NARO is to, innovate for sustainable agricultural transformation with the ultimate goal of increasing total factor productivity and access to agricultural research products and services for inclusive growth,” he said.
NaFORRI is one of the 16 Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARI) of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). Whereas NARO coordinates, oversees and guides agricultural research in the country, NaFORRI is mandated to conduct research in all aspects of forestry in Uganda and this is done through four programmes namely; Forest Conservation and Management, Agro-forestry Research Programme, Forest Product and Services Research Programme, Tree Improvement and Germplasm Research Programme.
“Research at the Institute is conducted through strategic partnerships with development partners, Universities, other tertiary institutions, the private sector, central and local government, statutory authorities and farming communities among others,” he emphasised.
Dr. Agaba reminded the new leadership of the challenges ahead of them that need to be worked on jointly and pledged support.
He implored the outgoing leadership to keep engaged and support the programs of the Institute especially in resource mobilization saying that whereas, there are some obvious responsibilities that will automatically be assumed by the new program leaders, some of the specific function that require urgent consideration are summarized in the outgoing leader’s reports.
During the meeting the incoming program leaders also had these to say.
Dr. Nantongo thanked the outgoing Program Leader for being a great mentor and for giving her the opportunity to lead as well. She commended Dr. Gwali for his Technical skills and asked for his continued support to help her in building expertise as a leader. She pledged her commitment to the Program and promised to work with other program leaders and staff for the betterment of the Institute. She also expressed gratitude to the Director of Research for the support he has rendered to the programme.
Dr. Buyinza laid out his plans for the program which includes bridging funding shortfalls within the program to compliment Government funding saying that his program shall embark on collecting data from the trials.
Dr. Joel Buyinza- Incoming program leader, Agro-forestry program
He observed the need to operationalize the Mbale rural resource center and make it fully functional.
Dr. Buyinza promised to work with everyone for the betterment of NaFORRI and NARO at large.
Dr. Fred M. Kalanzi- Incoming Program leader for Forest Products and Services
He thanked the Director of Research for steering the Institute and for supporting the outgoing Program Leaders which is evident in their great achievements.
Thanked the outgoing program leaders for their mentorships and guidance committing that as a program, bamboo shall be at the forefront since it is just emerging requiring adequate research to give it a good direction.
He pledged to pursue collaborative efforts with companies doing product development and also Pledge to improve the visibility of NaFORRI with Support from the Development Communication Officer.
Dr. Moreen Uwimbabazi- Incoming program leader for Forest Conservation and Management Program
Dr. Moreen thanked the Director of Research for the support and opportunity to lead and the outgoing Program Leaders for restoring the Peri-Urban Forest reserve.
She stated that her vision for the program is to mobilize resources and have long-term research, have large acreage of forest and pledged to fulfill promise to duty.