Dr Stanley Nkalubo takes over leadership of Rwebitaba ZARDI
Effective August 1, 2024, Dr. Stanley Tamusange Nkalubo has assumed the role of Acting Director of Research at Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (ZARDI). A distinguished plant breeder and geneticist, Dr. Nkalubo previously served as the Program Leader for Legumes at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Namulonge. He succeeds Dr. Titus Alicai, who has been appointed Director of Research at NaCRRI.
The handover ceremony, held on August 1, 2024, at Rwebitaba ZARDI, was presided over by the Director General of NARO, represented by Dr. Kassim Sadik, the Deputy Director General of Agricultural Technology Promotion (DDG-ATP). Dr. Nkalubo, 52, becomes the fourth head of the Institute, following the tenures of Prof. Robert Kajobe (now at Muni University), Acting Director of Research Dr. Samson Gwali (NaFORRI), and Dr. Robooni Tumuhimbise, the current Director of Research at NARL Kawanda.
The event was attended by key officials from NARO, including the Director of Internal Audit, Director of Human Resources, Senior HR Officer, Director of Finance, Senior Communications Officer, and Digital Media Officer from NAROSEC.
In his farewell address, Dr. Alicai praised the Rwebitaba team for their teamwork and urged them to support the new Director. He expressed his commitment to strengthening the partnership between NaCRRI Namulonge and Rwebitaba, particularly in supporting its growth beyond hosting field trials.
Dr. Kassim commended Dr. Alicai’s leadership and the progress achieved at Rwebitaba under his guidance. He encouraged the staff to continue building on the steady growth realized under the leadership of previous directors.
Upon receiving the instruments of power, Dr. Nkalubo expressed his eagerness to connect with the end-users of his research, particularly farmers in various communities. He views this appointment as an opportunity to apply his extensive experience as a bean breeder to research efforts on tea, a key crop for the Institute.
