African Rural University Uganda (ARU) Research Initiatives

Current Researches

Curriculum proposal for Rights Education in Secondary Schools

Land as a natural asset is inherently linked to livelihood in Uganda and indeed the whole of Africa. It is our strong conviction that rural dwellers have been caught in the poverty cycle due to poor organizational capacity and low knowledge base but above all, the inherent mass psyche on gender definitions on ownership, inheritance and subsequent utilization of land as a natural asset.

This status quo can be reversed in the medium and long run by using existing policy environment of promoting functional education in land rights at secondary levels. We are cognisant of the fact that the introduction of land rights education in the secondary school curriculum has policy bearings. The research will bring together educators, curriculum specialists, parents and students to propose a functional curriculum to be piloted in Kibaale district as part of the Capacity Enhancement for Natural Assets Management (CENAM) project,, funded by Ford Foundation.

African Rural University is also involved in research on topics such as;

Farmer production and productivity enhancement
Gender dimensions along the production chain
Natural resource management, the gender implications on land access,ownership and control
Environmental conservation and petroleum development
Leadership for systemic change and social well being
Peace and conflict mitigation