KAMPALA —The Acting (Ag.) Director Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute (MUARIK) Dr. Alice Turinawe has handed over the office to the incoming Ag. Director Dr. Okello Robert Cyrus Ongom. The Ag. Farm Manager Mr. Tweyambe Chrysostom has also handed over to Dr. Lwasa Stephen.
The handover ceremon held at MUARIK was witnessed by Makerere University Internal Auditor Ms. Joan Mutekanga, the Principal CAES Prof. Bernard Bashaasha and other staff from CAES and MUARIK.
Outgoing Ag. Director Dr. Alice Turinawe has served the MUARIK from 1st August 2018 up to 11th January 2021.
Dr. Turinawe thanked Makerere University and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for giving her the opportunity to serve as well as the predecessor and entire staff for the support accorded to her during her tenure.
“I wish to thank the Principal CAES, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha for his efforts in ensuring that MUARIK has the support needed for the smooth operation. I thank my predecessor Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa for the support I received while starting work at MUARIK AS Director,” She remarked.
Dr. Turinawe highlighted some of the key achievements under her term of office including:- expansion of the banana plantation by an additional 7 acres rising to 14 acres, commencement of the renovation of the poultry unit, increase of the acreage of soybean from 7 to 14 acres and expansion of pasture gardens by planting 25 more acres.
In his hand over report, the outgoing Ag. Farm Manager Mr. Tweyambe Chysostom expressed the need to increase the institutional capacity building and advised the successor to be keen on land encroachment, lobby university management to address staffing gaps and harmonization of the crop, livestock and stores records.
Mr. Tweyambe Chrysostom clocked the mandatory retirement age of 60 year having served the Makerere University for 30 years. He served as Assistant foreman crops (1990-2009), worked as Ag. Assistant Farm Manager Livestock (April 2009-2014), a training coordinator (1991-2002 and, then 2014 to date. He also served as member University Council for two terms (2001-2005) and (2005-2010).
