The Bulindi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (BuZARDI) has recorded a major scientific milestone with the award of a competitive research grant to Dr. Ivan Abaho, Senior Research Officer and Team Leader of the Animal Resources Research Programme. The grant was awarded under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP). Dr. Abaho will serve as Principal Investigator for the project titled “Harnessing Genomic Selection to Accelerate Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia Towards Climate-Smart Aquaculture in Uganda (GENEFAST).”
The initiative brings together a multidisciplinary Ugandan–Chilean research team and represents a significant step forward in applying advanced genomic technologies to strengthen climate-smart aquaculture in Uganda. The GENEFAST project aims to pioneer the use of genomic selection to develop fast-growing, climate-resilient strains of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) adapted to Uganda’s production systems. By accelerating genetic improvement, the project is expected to shorten production cycles, improve feed and water use efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aquaculture operations, contributing directly to national climate and food security goals. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Abaho brings extensive expertise in fisheries science, fish breeding, and aquaculture management. His leadership positions Uganda at the forefront of innovative, science-based solutions for sustainable aquaculture development. “This grant provides a unique opportunity to apply advanced genomic selection tools to address long -standing productivity and climate challenges in Uganda’s aquaculture sector,” said Dr. Abaho. “By developing a locally adapted and cost-effective genomic selection platform for Nile tilapia, we aim to support farmers with faster- growing, more resilient fish that can perform well under changing climatic conditions.” The project is strengthened by a strategic scientific partnership with the Aquaculture Genomics Laboratory (LABGEN) at the University of Chile, led by Dr. José Manuel Yáñez and Dr. Pablo Cáceres. The Chilean team brings internationally recognized expertise in statistical genetics, applied genomics, bioinformatics, and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel development, providing critical analytical and genomic capacity to support the project’s goals. Commenting on the achievement, BuZARDI’s Director of Research, Dr. Moses Mwesigwa, praised the award as a reflection of the institute’s growing research excellence. “The GENEFAST project demonstrates the ability of our scientists to attract highly competitive research funding and deliver innovations that support Uganda’s cli- mate-smart agricultural transformation agenda,” said Dr. Mwesigwa. “This collaboration with the University of Chile will not only generate high-impact scientific outputs but also significantly strengthen national capacity in advanced genomic technologies.” Overall, the GENEFAST project represents a strategic investment in scientific innovation, international collaboration, and capacity building. By combining advanced genomic expertise from Chile with strengthened local research capacity in Uganda, the project is expected to enhance aquaculture productivity, profitability, and resilience to climate change. BuZARDI proudly congratulates Dr. Ivan Abaho and the entire Uganda–Chile research team on this outstanding achievement and celebrates GENEFAST as a model of impactful international collaboration driving climate-smart agricultural transformation in Africa.