UBIC

Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC)

Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC) is an information hub of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).

Our goal is to become the premier hub for information and knowledge sharing on agricultural biosciences research in Uganda. We develop, produce, and disseminate information on modern biosciences innovations and advances in agricultural research in Uganda to facilitate informed decision-making.

UBIC was established in 2013 and is hosted at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) ―a NARO institute at Namulonge in Wakiso district. Currently, UBIC’s activities are mostly supported by the Next Generation Cassava Project (NEXTGEN website).

Vision

Better agricultural outcomes.

Mision

To foster public understanding of agricultural research for informed decision-making.

Goal

A hub for information and knowledge sharing on agricultural biosciences research in Uganda.

Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC) is an information hub of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). UBIC exists to bridge the information and communication gap between scientists and their stakeholders with a special focus on modern agricultural biosciences. Agricultural scientists have developed a spectrum of new technologies and processes to address perennial and problematic challenges and needs in agriculture, including pests and diseases, climate change effects, and product quality.

UBIC’s goal, mission and vision feed squarely into NARO’s broader goal of enhancing the contribution of agricultural research to sustainable agricultural productivity, sustained competitiveness, economic growth, food security and poverty eradication.

Our job is to help Ugandans to understand, appreciate, and use novel and innovative technologies to improve agriculture and boost food security while ensuring better land use and a cleaner environment.

Our outreach and communication activities are geared towards advancing Uganda’s march to middle-income status by 2040 through modernised agriculture.

Our goal is to develop, produce, and disseminate information on modern biosciences innovations and advances in agricultural research in Uganda to facilitate informed decision-making.

How We Work

UBIC uses effective communication and information dissemination strategies to ensure that Ugandans and other end-users are aware of and can adequately use the agricultural innovations that can mitigate some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture such as pests and diseases, climate change, and food and nutrition insecurity.

We work with many stakeholders to help increase public awareness and understanding of modern biosciences which can be used for agricultural enhancement.

We endeavour to:

Influence target audiences to make informed decisions about biosciences application and regulation.

UBIC works with farmers, students, scientists, policymakers, religious and cultural leaders, and the media providing a platform for dialogue and information dissemination on modern biosciences for evidence-based and informed decision–making.

In line with this, we devote a significant amount of resources to advancing a favorable, responsive and robust regulatory climate for agricultural biosciences research, development and technology transfer in the country. Our principal focus currently is to ensure equitable access, especially of NARO’s biotechnology research products by the intended end-users.

Strengthen biosciences training in the formal education system of Uganda.

UBIC acknowledges the critical importance of capacity building to ensure sustained impact. Through our schools’ outreach and mentorship programme, we seek to magnify the relevance of modern biosciences and support their integration into the formal education system.

We develop and donate teaching aids to science educators and contribute biosciences literature and materials to support curriculum development by the National Curriculum Development Center. We conduct essay writing and drawing competitions, outreach sessions and seminars in primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions, as part of efforts to groom future leaders in science.

Conduct Biosciences outreach and communication capacity building.

Our mandate on knowledge sharing is inspired by the need to facilitate balanced, fact-based and objective discourse on modern biosciences in Uganda. We strive to serve the information needs of different stakeholders, in an effort to satisfy Uganda’s hunger for credible, nuanced information on biosciences and biosafety.

Through our outreach program, we endeavour to achieve this through sharing knowledge and information on agricultural biosciences research in Uganda, streamlining biosciences communication through grassroots sensitization workshops for policymakers, religious and community leaders, media, students and educators as well as farmers and their associates. Science communication training is done for scientists and journalists.

Establishing and growing strategic partnerships to leverage unique expertise and share resources and experiences is vital to our work. Over the years, we have strengthened our partnerships and formed new alliances with like-minded institutions that help extend our reach.

UBIC is part of national and international networks such as Uganda Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium, Alliance for Science, and International Services for Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). Through these, we help to advance Uganda’s science agenda and support international cooperation for advancements in modern biosciences for agriculture.