In a bid to strengthen NaFORRI’s capacity to effectively undertake forestry research, the Institute has acquired a range of high throughput equipment in laboratory based at Mukono-Kifu. This investment has enhanced laboratory analysis, including; Spectroscopy (UV-visible Quantitative and qualitative assay of nucleic acids and proteins), microbiological culturing, and microscopic and centrifugation techniques. These are services that had previously been outsourced.

This lab now hosts a range of laboratory-based studies including; morphological characterization of soil-borne pathogens of citrus species under greenhouse conditions, characterization of Abascular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF) from various agroecosystems across Uganda and assessment of nitrogen fixation potential of short-rotation leguminous shrubs under greenhouse management and soil moisture stress. Others are tissue culturing of trees rich in anti-diabetic properties and assessing effects of preservatives on common fungi attacking bamboo.

With additional support from European Union through the ROBUST project, the laboratory can also be used for more robust analyses that require UV spectroscopy, like bacterial culturing, nucleic acid purity checks and quantitation, drug identification, and developing quality control standards in the beverage industry.