A Principal Plant Virologist and former Program leader of the Root Crops Research program at the National Crop Resources Research Institute NACRRI Namulonge, Dr. Titus Alicai is the new Rwebitaba ZARDI Director of Research. Alicai, who has mentored many leading scientists and researchers in Uganda and beyond takes over from Dr. Robooni Tumuhimbise also one of Uganda’s leading banana researchers. Dr. Alicai received the instruments of institute leadership in a ceremony that took place at Rwebitaba ZARDI in Kyembogo, Kabarole District on Thursday 3rd August 2023.
While handing over office, Dr. Robooni who was recently appointed the Director of Research for the National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kawanda congratulated Dr Alicai and said that he was confident that he would grow the institute further. He encouraged him to build on the goodwill that the institute had in the region to deepen its impact. Robooni also thanked the institute staff whose teamwork had enabled him to achieve much in the three years he had led it.
While speaking to the institute staff, Dr. Alicai encouraged them to take their work seriously and to work as a team. He thanked Robooni for making the institute come alive in his time of leadership even with resource constraints.
During the ceremony, a number of support staff who had been transferred from Rwebitaba to other NARO institutes also appreciated Rwebitaba for the great hospitality and growth they had experienced in their tenure of service. They include George Twinomuhangi the Senior HR Officer, Joesph Kasirye the accountant, Basil Eyinvujo the accounts assistant, George Acuma the auditor and Laban Wabuyere the inventory officer.
Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (ZARDI) is mandated to carry out adaptive and basic research and disseminate appropriate technologies in the districts of Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kitagwenda, Kasese, Bunyangabu, Kabarole, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo as well as Fort portal Tourism City. The institute also has a national mandate to generate and disseminate tea technologies in Uganda.