I am a passionate animal scientist, currently a Professor of animal agriculture, apiculture, animal breeding and genetics at Makerere University. I get a rush from helping others succeed, a process catalyst, a mountaineer, science mentor and a change agent.
Am highly motivated and result-driven, with 20 years of teaching, and collaborative research engagement (28 grants, 63 journal papers, 59 conference papers, 3 books, 185 collaborating scientists) focused on optimizing agricultural productivity through performance improvement of a wide array of several African Animal Genetic Resources.
I have extensively researched on, published on and farmed pigs, goats, cattle and various poultry species; as well as possess international expertise in livestock breeding, genetics and apiculture. I have strongly contributed to agricultural policy in East and Central Africa by collaborating very closely under various platforms with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA).
I won the 2019 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Characterisation, Inventory and Monitoring Tool (AnGR-CIM-Tool) for Animal Genetic Resources of Africa under the patronage of the African Union Commission. In 2017, I won the Best Alumna Award for the Australia Africa Awards Course on Increasing the Development Impact of Agricultural Research (IDIAR). Recent fellowships won include: Evidence-informed Policymaking Fellowship by the European Commission (2018), Visiting Scientist Fellowship to Iowa State University, College of Agric. & Life Sciences (2017).
I enjoy developing curricula that transform learners into doers and better citizens and have contributed to curricula for several tertiary education institutions in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. Am currently an Editor for Elsevier’s journal Scientific African; a sub-Editor for the South African Journal of Animal Sciences as well as being an assiduous reviewer for several high impact journals in the discipline of Animal Science and Production.
I am a jack of all trades. Monarchist-Republican-Democrat-Capitalist-Socialist-Christian-Pro.ecumenism; Let me explain in a few words:
I am ruled by a king, Om. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru of Bunyoro (where I originate from) but also pay allegiance to the Kabaka of Buganda (where I live most of the time in the city, (hence Monarchist), my grandfather - Seezi Rugira was a County Chief and his brother - Samuel Byarufu was a County Chief too (monarchism flows in the veins too).
I believe also in people determining their destiny as in being a republic, I don’t really like absolute monarchies (hence a Republican).
I believe in democracies, have no hope in dictators, even in my classes where I would be a small king, I ask my students to decide almost everything, I only dictate when they fail to agree (hence a true Democrat);
I believe those who work harder should enjoy the benefits that come with it (some good degree of Capitalism),
though I don’t believe in throwing away food, hoarding knowledge, by-passing a beggar and homeless without helping (a Socialist of sorts).
I believe in God, though I know that other deities exist and do have some power (an ardent Christian therefore).
I believe all world religions can converge, I have a problem with sects of Christians that spent time pulling each other down instead of promoting God, his Son, and the trinity (hence Pro-ecumenism). I know that of the three leading religions of the world, one promoted monogamy but bans alcohol, another promoted polygamy but bans alcohol, and a third one allows alcohol but bans marriage.
DONALD RUGIRA KUGONZA
Professor, Makerere University,
Dept. of Agricultural Production
Email: donkugonza@caes.mak.ac.ug
Tel:
Department of Agricultural Production
(+256) 414-532-269
School of Agriculture Building
(+256) 782-874-551
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
(+256) 750-874-550
Post Office:
Makerere University,
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda