Gulu University has won over one Billion Uganda shillings for two research projects with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation under the National Research and Innovation Programme(NRIP) which national call for proposal was published the last financial year 2020/2021.
The two projects that won the national competitive grants include ‘Value addition to Borassus aethiopum Mart (Tugu) fruit products as a food supplement for children and the elderly with malnourishment conditions in Uganda”, with Dr. Christine Oryema as the Principal Investigator from the Faculty of Science, and the second project is ”Pyrolysis of sewage sludge for bioenergy soil amendment and wastewater treatment”, with Dr. Byakatonda Jimmy as the principal Investigator from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment.
The Ministry has approved UGX 196 million and UGX 904 million consecutively for the implementation of the research projects for the period of three years.
In a letter dated July 8th, 2021 written by David O. O. Obong the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation confirmed the development officially to the University Secretary and the University Vice-Chancellor.
Gulu University management led by Professor Openjuru George Ladaah on Monday signed the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry governing the collaborations and the Ministry was represented by Olinga Richard senior research officer.
Prof. Openjuru said the research project clearly demonstrates the potential of the University in the research field and appealed to the Ministry to always consider uplifting new and fresh innovators so that the country utilizes its scholars fully.