The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has partnered with Southwest Minzu University (SMU) of China in a landmark collaboration that is set to strengthen livestock disease research, enhance veterinary diagnostics and establish world-class laboratory capacity in Uganda.
The strategic partnership, which will focus on animal husbandry and veterinary medicine research, is expected to improve disease surveillance, accelerate the development of diagnostic technologies and build the country’s scientific capacity to respond to livestock disease outbreaks.
The collaboration was mooted during a high-level meeting between NARO Management and a delegation from Southwest Minzu University led by its Vice President, Professor Yang Shengtao, at Fontis Residences Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday.
Dr. Halid Kirunda, a veterinary epidemiologist and research leader at NARO who is spearheading the partnership, said the collaboration will be implemented through a five-year project that is currently under development.
He noted that Uganda is faced with more than 30 livestock diseases, presenting a significant challenge to farmers in diagnosing and managing the different disease strains.
“The partnership will enable NARO and Southwest Minzu University to jointly undertake research in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine while developing practical solutions that allow farmers and veterinary professionals to detect and respond to livestock diseases more quickly,” Dr. Kirunda said.
Speaking during the meeting, NARO Director General Dr. Yona Baguma described the partnership as a major milestone in strengthening Uganda’s capacity for livestock disease diagnosis and research.
He said the collaboration will enhance joint scientific research while supporting the development of affordable diagnostic tools that can help farmers identify livestock diseases at community level before they spread.
Dr. Baguma observed that Uganda’s livestock laboratory system still requires significant investment, noting that capacity needs to be enhanced to handle highly infectious animal diseases.
“We need better tools to detect, prevent and manage livestock diseases. Strengthening our laboratory systems is essential if we are to safeguard Uganda’s livestock sector and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” he said.
He added that livestock production remains an integral part of Uganda’s economy and household livelihoods, but recurring disease outbreaks continue to affect productivity and incomes.
Dr. Baguma welcomed the partnership, expressing confidence that the technologies and innovations generated through the collaboration would extend beyond Uganda to benefit neighbouring countries and the African continent.
“As one of Africa’s leading agricultural research organisations, NARO is committed to ensuring that this partnership delivers practical solutions for Ugandan and African farmers,” he said.
Professor Yang Shengtao said the initiative marks Southwest Minzu University’s first research collaboration on the African continent despite the institution’s long-standing reputation as one of China’s leading universities in animal husbandry and veterinary sciences.
He said the university has extensive expertise in research involving cattle, sheep and poultry, and is looking forward to sharing knowledge and technology with Uganda.
“Building partnerships with Africa is an important step for our university. We want to focus on improving animal health through research, establish world-class laboratories in Uganda and create training opportunities for Ugandan students and scientists,” Professor Yang said.
He added that the collaboration would strengthen scientific exchange between the two institutions while generating innovations to improve livestock production and disease control.
The meeting was attended by directors of research from NARO’s nine Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes, as well as representatives from three of it’s national mandate institutes—the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL), the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) and the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI).
The new collaboration expands NARO’s growing portfolio of international research partnerships. The organisation is already implementing a joint programme with China’s BGI Group on perennial rice technology and continues to pursue strategic collaborations aimed at advancing agricultural research, innovation and food security in Uganda and across Africa.
