She is a Geneticist at the National Coffee Research Institute in Uganda. She holds a PhD in Genetics from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Her research focuses on the biodiversity of marine and forest ecosystems, in particular, the historical and contemporary genetic dynamics that drive species variation and how these can address issues of sustainable utilisation and conservation for a thriving ecosystem and global food security. Her work on Robusta coffee in Uganda has ethical and environmental implications- driving for wide-scale adoption of disease resistant varieties to reduce chemical use in production, and conserving wild coffees at a time of extensive deforestation in Uganda’s coffee habitats. Daphne has influenced positive change in practices and policies in African research elsewhere; her research on commercially exploited shark genetics played a part in the demarcation of 41 marine protected areas in South Africa. Daphne is a member of the Uganda National Young Academy, a fellow of the TWAS-SAREP Science Diplomacy workshop and has served as a panelist at the South African Science Forum where she shares about evidence-driven policy solutions, experiences, and how to reduce research inequality within and between African countries. Selected publications:

• Mulindwa, J, Kaaya, A.N., Daphne, B. N., Muganga, L. and Chemutai, J. (2020). Building the capacity of small scale cocoa farmers to conduct on-farm fermentation. The Scinnovet Centre (Policy Brief no.4/2020). Available athttps://scinnovent.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Policy-Brief-04-for-print.pdf
• Olal, S, Bitalo, D.N., Olango, N.D, Mulindwa, J, Ochwo, S, Opiyo, S.O., Arinaitwe, G. and Ogwok, E., (2019) “De Novo Genome Sequence of a Fusarium xylarioides Race Pathogenic to Robusta Coffee (Coffea canephora) in Uganda,” Microbiology Resource Announcements (MRA00520-19), vol.8, issue 31. doi:10.1128/MRA.00520-19. Available at https://mra.asm.org/content/8/31/e00520-19
• Bitalo, D.N., et al., 2014. Differential population structure of two commercially important shark species, tope (Galeorhinus galeus) and common smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus) along the south-west coast of South Africa. Fisheries Research, 172, 190 -196. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165783615300126

Links:

• ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daphne_Bitalo
• Twitter: @writerblique

DR. Mawa  is a biomedical scientist involved in studies investigating the impact of infections such as worms, HIV and tuberculosis on immune responses to vaccines. He holds a PhD in Immunology from University of London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom. Currently, Patrice is a Senior Scientist/Principal Research Officer at Medical Research Council (MRC)/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit and his studies aim to understand immune responses to Schistosoma mansoni (the causative agent for schistosomiasis) in children to inform development and deployment of vaccines and immunotherapy against schistosomiasis. He has recently been awarded European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Career Development Fellowship, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit Postdoctoral Fellowship and IMPRINT public engagement grant for his work. He is also involved in training and supervision of students. Dr Mawa is a fellow of the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP) and a member of Uganda National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (UNITAG) and serves on various committees at UVRI including as Chairman Training and HIV/AIDS committees. Selected Publications (from 19 peer-reviewed publication);

• H-factor 16 –Lubyayi L, Mawa PA, Nabakooza G, Nakibuule M, Tushabe TV, Serubanja J, Aibo D, Hellen A,Tumusiime J, Hasso-Agopsowicz M, Kaleebu P, Levin J, Dockrell HM, Smith S, Webb EL, Elliott AM and Cose S.
• Maternal Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Does Not Affect the Infant Immune Response Following BCG at Birth: An Observational Longitudinal Study in Uganda.
• Front Immunol. 2020 11:929.
• Mawa PA, Webb EL, Filali-Mouhim A, Nkurunungi G, Sekaly RP, Lule SA, Prentice S, Dockrell HM, Elliott AM, Cose S. Maternal BCG scar is associated with increased infant proinflammatory immune responses. Vaccine 35 (2017) 273–282.
• Mawa PA, Nkurunungi G, Egesa M, Webb EL, Smith SG, Kizindo R, Akello M, Lule SA, Muwanga M, Dockrell HM, Cose S, Elliott AM. The impact of maternal infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the infant response to bacille Calmette-Guérin immunization. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2015 Jun 19; 370 (1671).

More complete list here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4819-8904 Find me on Social Media:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mawa-akusa-patrice
• Twitter: @patricemawa

Is a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), Makerere University. He has supervised number of undergraduate and master’s students and taught a number of courses that include Energy Conversion and Utilization, Energy Resources Development, Postharvest Engineering, Agricultural Structures, Land Surveying and Mapping, Engineering Project Planning and Design. Peter’s primary research interest areas are Renewable energy harnessing and utilization, Waste reuse and resource recovery, Environmental protection and preservation, Sustainable Energy and Agricultural Systems and Post-harvest technologies. Peter has peer reviewed for a number of journals in the areas stated above. In addition, Peter has extensive consulting experience, and has worked with a number of entities and projects in various consulting roles in developing strategies for sustainable development like the irrigation strategy and Green Growth strategy for ABI-Trust among others. Dr. Tumuteyereize Peter holds a BSc (Agricultural Engineering) and MSc (Agricultural Engineering) from Makerere University, and PhD (Mechanical Engineering focusing on Energy & Process Engineering Systems) from University of Botswana.

Completed his first degree in Philosophy with a first class. His dream then was to teach at university, and enrolled for a Masters degree in Ethics and Public Management at Makerere University. Went for this particular course was because of his conviction then that most African problems were ethical, and would thus be well equipped to make a difference in his academic life. He also did a Master of Science in Education for Sustainability under the Common Wealth Scholarship at London South Bank University, where he emerged as the best student on the programme with the Dean’s Prize. In 2015, he accomplished his PhD in Humanistic Studies. Dr. Ssentongo has taught Ethics and Research at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) since 2007 and at Makerere University since 2011. At UMU, he also served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Associate Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research (in charge of research); and founding chair of the Centre for African Studies. He also sits on Makerere University Press’ Editorial Board; and writes a column for The Observer; as well as working as its Editorial Cartoonist His published works include:

• Ssentongo, J. S. (2018). Introduction: Reflections on the interplay between postcoloniality, globalisation, decolonisation, and development.
• In Jimmy Spire Ssentongo (ed.). Decolonisation Pathways: Postcoloniality, Globalisation, and African Development. Kampala: Uganda Martyrs University Book Series.
• Ssentongo, J. S. (IN PRESS). ‘Which journal is that?’ Politics of academic promotion and the predicament of African publication outlets, Critical African Studies.
• Who do African academics write for? https://www.observer.ug/viewpoint/39815-who-do-african-academics-write-for

Researchgate link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jimmy_Spire_Ssentongo Find me on Social Media:

• Twitter: @jssentong
• Facebook: Jimmy Spire Ssentongo

Is an Entomologist, currently employed as a scientist on insects for food, feed and other uses at the International Centre of Insects Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi Kenya. James was previously a lecturer of Entomology at Makerere University, where he set up the first reference collection of Diptera; a Crop Entomologist at the National Coffee Research Institute, Uganda; and Agricultural Inspector at the Uganda government civil service. James, a member of the Uganda National Young Academy, offers other voluntary professional services like being Associate Editor of the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science and a Lead Guest Editor for a Special Issue: Advances in Insects as Food and Feed (https://www.springer.com/journal/42690/updates/17802396); peer reviewing for eight journals; examining graduate theses; and chairing the Research and Development Committee of the Entomological Association of Uganda (2017-2018). James has supervised 8 MSc and 1 PhD students. He has published 22 peer reviewed papers and 40 other publications (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6297-4765). James holds a first-class BSc (Agriculture) and MSc (Crop Science) from Makerere University, and PhD (Agricultural Entomology) from University of Nairobi. He won an award for contributing new knowledge to science during the 2nd international e-conference on agricultural biosciences in 2009 (http://www.e-conference.elewa.org/agriculture/).

Is a registered chemical and food process engineer with specialized experience and training in industrial biotechnology, renewable energy, WASH and food post-harvest technologies in Africa and Europe; continuously engaged in technology development and transfer, science and technology policy, research, as well as strategic program development in sub-Saharan Africa; other training career highlights include: Climate Change Science and Negotiations, Public Health Engineering, Gender Relations, and Sustainability; designs and assesses programs to support emerging industrial engineering disciplines such as oil and gas, leather tanning, textile engineering and industrial biotechnology in Eastern Africa; currently serving as an Executive Board Member (Presidential Appointment) of the National Planning Authority.

He is a Research Fellow at the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) and a Global Fellow at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). He holds a B.A Economics from Makerere University, with a First Class Honors, a Masters and a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis, with a concentration in Development Economics, from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan. Francis is member of Uganda Economics Association, African Growth and Development Policy Modelling Consortium (AGRODEP), African Economic Research consortium, and Africa Development Institute’s Global Community of Practice (G-CoP). He has a wide experience in conducting socio-economic surveys, and analysis of cross-section and panel data. His research covers land institutions, agriculture economics and agricultural value chains, education, gender, and firm growth. He has published in peer-refereed journals such as World Development and Land Use Policy. His work has also appeared in edited book volumes. Social Media. Skype: francis.mwesigye Twitter: @FrancMwesigye LinkedIn: Francis Mwesigye Links to his online academic profile (ORCID, Academia, Research gate, etc. – ONLY ONE, please ResearchGate: Francis Mwesigye https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Francis_Mwesigye2 Publication links

1. Population pressure, rural-to-rural migration and evolution of land tenure institutions: The case of Uganda. Land Use Policy, Vol. 65, 2017, Pg. 1–14, with Tomoya Matsumoto and Keijiro Otsuka. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264837716308419
2. The Effect of Population Pressure and Internal Migration on Land Conflicts: Implications for Agricultural Productivity in Uganda. World Development, Vol. 79, 2016, with Tomoya Matsumoto. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305750X15002715?via%3Dihub
3. Universal Health Coverage in Uganda: The Critical Health Infrastructure, Healthcare Coverage and Equity. Economic Policy Research Centre, Series No. 136, 2017, with Tonny Odokonyero, Annet Adong, and Swaibu Mbowa.  https://eprcug.org/research/research-series/521-universal-health-coverage-in-uganda-the-critical-health-infrastructure-healthcare-coverage-and-equity

An independent science and policy facilitator, and acts at the science-policy interface as a science writer, trainer, and speaker. She is the Immediate Past Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy and is also on the Steering Committee of the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP) based at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria in South Africa. In addition to that, she is a member of the Faculty in the Advanced Research Design for Policy-Oriented Research (ARD) programme ran by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) based in Nairobi, Kenya. Through organisations like these and others she works with both academics and policy makers to contribute to evidence-based policy. Her undergraduate studies were in Civil Engineering, but in later years she made the shift to Education by completing a master’s degree in Education and Training Systems Design at the University of Twente in 2004, and later received a PhD in Educational Measurement from the same University in 2014. She also spent 15 years at Uganda Martyrs University with a dual appointment as an academic in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of the Built Environment Dr. Nshemereirwe is active in Civil Society through the Ugandan Think Tank, Kigo Thinkers, and speaks and writes on science leadership, as well as the adequacy and relevance of formal education in Uganda as well as Africa at large (see, for instance, here & here). Selected Publications:

• Nshemereirwe, C.V. (March 2020) When A is not for Apple – Scientific African Magazine. Available here: https://sciafmag.com/2020/03/02/when-a-is-not-for-apple/
• Nshemereirwe, C.V. (2018) Tear down visa barriers that block scholarship. Nature, 563, 7-7.  DOI 10.1038/d41586-018-07179-2
• Nshemereirwe, C.V. (2015, August 8). Uganda desperately needs quality teachers to achieve Vision 2040. The East African. Available at http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/OpEd/comment/Uganda-needs-quality-teachers-toachieve-Vision-2040-/-/434750/2824678/-/124anifz/-/index.html

More complete list here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5790-8998 Find me on Social Media:

• Twitter: @Nshemeshe
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/connie-nshemereirwe
• Blog: https://learngrowrepeat.wordpress.com/

She holds a BSc. Agriculture (1997), MSc. Crop Science (1999) and PhD in Crop Entomology (2007) that she attained as a Sandwich arrangement between Makerere University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. She is also an alumnus of the Imperial College of London (former Wye College) where she successfully completed an external course in Research and Data Analysis for Agronomists in 1997. She has 16 years of experience teaching Insect Science with a focus on physiology, ecology and management at the School of Agricultural Sciences at Makerere University. Since 2000, Assoc. Prof. Karungi has orchestrated, won and provided leadership in over 15 research projects. She has been a Country Coordinator for two multi-national projects. In addition to building capacity through graduate training and supervision, her research has emphasized development and dissemination of ecological pest management strategies for key crops in Uganda. Assoc. Prof. Karungi has authored over 20 peer reviewed journal publications and numerous non-peer reviewed publications. She also authored a Handbook on identification and management of pests and diseases of cabbage and other brassicas in Uganda. She has presented her research at over 25 scientific congress/symposia. She is an active reviewer for six internationally renowned agricultural science journals. Assoc. Prof. Karungi has championed crucial environmental and human health protection drives, particularly, urban solid waste management and promotion of judicious pesticide usage. She is a recipient of prestigious professional awards, remarkably, the Young Affiliate Fellow award by The World Academy of Sciences; the International Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Excellence award by the International Integrated Pest Management Symposium (USA, 2009); Visiting Scientist award by TWAS-DFG (TWAS and the German Research Foundation) that she served at the Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany (2013). She is a member of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW); of the African Crop Science Society; of the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS); and of the Association of Uganda Professional Agriculturists (ASUPA). Selected Publications: Karungi J., Cherukut S., Ijala AR., Tumuhairwe, JB., Bonabana-Wabbi, J., Nuppenau, EA. Hoeher M., Domptail S., and Otte A. 2018. Elevation and cropping system as drivers of microclimate and abundance of soil, macrofauna in coffee farmlands in mountainous ecologies, Applied Soil Ecology, Volume 132: 126-134. DOI: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2018.08.003. Karungi, J., Ekbom, B. and Kyamanywa, S. 2006. Effect of organic versus conventional fertilizers on insect pests, natural enemies and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 115: 51-55. Karungi, J., Adipala, E., Kyamanywa, S., Ogenga-Latigo, M.W., Oyobo, N. and Jackai, L.E.N. 2000. Pest management in cowpeas. Part 2. Integrating planting time, plant density and insecticide application for management of cowpea field insect pests in eastern Uganda, Crop Protection, 19: 237-245. For more, find me on: Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=OSf_QWkAAAAJ&hl=en Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jeninah_Karungi