Tumwebaze tasks new NARO council on Agriculture technologies
Tumwebaze noted that it's high time to integrate all the knowledge in agritech solutions. There's a need for a policy on technological equipment, such as drones, to be used in the application of fertilisers.
Some members of the new governing council of NARO, after taking their oaths at Golf Hotel in Entebbe municipality. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)
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Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze has asked the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to lead what he terms as a revolution of modernising and mechanising agriculture with the help of science and technology.
"Why is Brazil producing more coffee per hectare than Uganda, which has better soils?" Tumwebaze wondered before adding, "People in other countries are using artificial intelligence at every stage of their agriculture value chain."
The minister sounded the gong on Monday, November 10, 2025, while commissioning a new governing council for NARO at a brief event held in Entebbe municipality. He asked the 15-member NARO governing council to oversee the implementation of a 'new agriculture' with precision enablers at every stage of the value chain.
"It's high time we integrate all the knowledge in agritech solutions. We need a policy on technological equipment, such as drones, to be used in the application of fertilisers," Tumwebaze said. He also urged NARO to modernise its laboratory and technology infrastructure.
Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze awarding Ruth Doreen Mutebe for her exemplary service as a member of the audit and risk committee on the previous council of NARO. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)
Review the law
Meanwhile, NARO director general Dr Yona Baguma called for a review of the law that established NARO, which he said requires appropriate realignment to ensure that NARO focuses on the core business of research and to remain relevant to the emerging areas of research. Baguma appealed to the new governing council to ensure that the law is reviewed within their current tenure.
He also prayed for the strengthening of human capacity, saying the Government recently released a new structure to NARO with an establishment of 1,242 staff, leaving a gap of 464 staff out of the required 1,706.
"We pray that the Government sets aside an increased wage to NARO to be able to get additional human resources to a vibrant, sustainable and responsive entity for purposes of creating impact," Baguma appealed.
The NARO chief noted that in accordance with the law, the research organisation is supposed to have the research trust fund.
"But this has never been actualised. We pray that under the leadership of this council, the fund will be actualised in order to scale up innovation and deliver real impact," he expressed.
In response, Minister Tumwebaze concurred that the law should be amended to ensure that NARO is governed under the corporate governance principles.
"I'd like to see the law provide for effective utilisation of scientists. Unless somebody is too old to even see, I wouldn't want NARO to easily dispense away consultants because we do not have many in the country," Tumwebaze stated.
Council membership
Led by William Olaho-Mukani, the chairperson, the council members include Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, who is also the permanent secretary for the agriculture ministry, Ramathan Ggoobi, who also doubles as the permanent secretary for the finance ministry and Yona Baguma, the NARO director general.
Others are Patrick Ongol, Olivia Nankunda, John Wasige, Margaret Aanyu, James Kajete, Susan Awino, plus Rehema Nanvuma. Also appointed to the council are Kenneth Katungisa representing the farmers, Jolly Kateeba, Sharon Akullo and Claire Apuno.