A delegation from the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), led by Hon. Safia Nalule, the chairperson, visited NARO on September 5th, 2023, to get an understanding of the work being done by NARO.

The team was received by Dr. Kassim Sadik, the Deputy Director General of Agricultural Technology Promotion; Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa, the Deputy Director General of Research Coordination; Dr. Stevens Kisaka, Director of Corporate Services; and Dr. William Nanyenya, Director of Research at NaLIRRI, together with staff of NARO.

Hon. Safia Nalule, in her remarks, gave a brief overview of the EOC work and why the issues of gender, inclusion, and environment are important for national development. She thanked NARO for doing a great job. I have seen what NARO is doing, and I must say, NARO has done us very well. Hon. Safia Nalule tasked NARO with broadening the vaccine production facility and zero-waste facility because the products from these facilities would contribute greatly to the country’s economic independence. NARO was applauded for having a focal person for gender.

She recommended that NARO technologies be taken to the grassroots because it will add a lot of value to what the government is doing at the grassroots, like with the Parish Development Model (PDM). She said there is a need for the President and the Prime Minister to visit NARO to appreciate the work being done because what she had seen could move the 39% who are still in the subsistence economy to the money economy.

Dr. Kassim gave an overview of what NARO’s mandate is, areas of operation, and how gender is integrated into NARO’s research agenda.

The team was taken through the facilities at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Nakyesasa. These included the laboratories and the zero-waste facility, where an array of products made from livestock waste were displayed. She then also toured an exhibition by selected NARO institutes showing cereals, legumes, coffee, bananas, apiary, sweet potatoes, and forestry products.