RUFORUM Backs Mountains of the Moon University to Drive Agricultural Innovation and Skills Development
By Mountains of the Moon University Communications team
Fort Portal, Uganda — The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is strengthening its collaboration with Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) to advance agricultural research, innovation and institutional development.
During a strategic engagement at MMU’s Fort Portal City campus, RUFORUM Executive Secretary, Prof. Patrick Okori, challenged the university to position itself as a model for translating scientific research into practical solutions that improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
The engagement explored opportunities for MMU to leverage RUFORUM’s continental network to strengthen postgraduate training, undertake collaborative research, mobilise resources and establish partnerships with universities and development institutions across Africa and beyond.
Since joining RUFORUM in 2023, MMU has sought to use its membership to advance institutional priorities and expand its contribution to national and regional development.
Welcoming the delegation, MMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Coxwel Achanga, outlined the university’s strategic direction, while faculty representatives highlighted ongoing academic and research initiatives and potential areas for collaboration.
RUFORUM Executive Secretary, Professor Patrick Okori
Advancing Science-Led Agricultural Transformation
Prof. Okori underscored the urgent need for African universities to address low agricultural labour productivity through scientific research, technological innovation and evidence-based interventions.
He noted that agricultural labour productivity in Africa remains significantly below that of other regions at comparable levels of development, citing estimates of USD 9–16 per hour against USD 50–74 elsewhere.
“Universities need to use scientific research and measurable evidence to help farmers increase production and improve their incomes,” he said.
He emphasised that the value of university research must increasingly be demonstrated through tangible improvements in farming practices, productivity and household incomes.
Mountain of the Moon University Vice Chancellor, Professor Coxwel Achanga
Linking Research, Learning and Farming Communities
Discussions highlighted MMU’s proposed model farms as platforms for experiential learning, applied research and engagement with farming communities.
The Dean of MMU’s Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Joshua Wesana, explained that the farms would enable students to gain practical experience while allowing researchers to work directly with farmers on production challenges.
The initiative seeks to bring together universities, farmers, agricultural industries, government agencies and development partners to develop and demonstrate locally relevant innovations.
Prof. Achanga emphasised the importance of combining scientific research with indigenous knowledge, recognising the practical experience of farmers as an important resource for developing sustainable agricultural solutions.
The university also presented its Triple F model, which integrates food, feed and forests through crop production, livestock rearing and tree planting. The approach aims to strengthen household incomes while maintaining soil fertility and conserving biodiversity.
Retired MMU lecturer Clovis Kabaseke explained that the model promotes sustainability, resilience and farmer sovereignty by balancing agricultural production with responsible natural resource management.
Strengthening Continental Collaboration
Prof. Okori reaffirmed RUFORUM’s commitment to facilitating MMU’s engagement with universities and research institutions across the continent, creating opportunities for joint projects, competitive grants, academic exchanges and knowledge sharing.
He encouraged MMU to develop approaches that could be adapted by other African universities, particularly in connecting agricultural education and research with community development.
He 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, as platforms for sharing experiences and strengthening institutional partnerships.
The discussions identified institutional capacity development, postgraduate training, collaborative research and university–community partnerships as priority areas for further engagement.
Positioning Universities as Drivers of Development
The engagement reinforces RUFORUM’s wider agenda of strengthening African universities as centres of innovation, human capital development and agricultural transformation.
Established in 2004, RUFORUM brings together 175 universities across 40 African countries, providing a platform for collaboration in research, training, policy engagement and sustainable development.
For MMU, the partnership offers an opportunity to expand its research capabilities, strengthen institutional networks and contribute more effectively to addressing agricultural challenges.
