On 15th April 2023, the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI) and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake joint research, innovation, and technology transfer in forestry in Uganda and Kenya. Through this MoU the duo will collaboratively promote climate change adaptation, sustainable resilience, environmental and natural resource conservation for improved livelihoods and national development.
Specifically, NaFORRI and KEFRI seek to promote joint research and development in the production, conservation and management of forestry and allied natural resources. It will also enhance collaboration on cross-border natural resources research and technology development and provide an instrument for establishing various collaborative initiatives for the growth and mutual benefit of the two institutions.
In terms of capacity building, the two will be able to enhance professional skills of staff in both institutions through training, networking and exchange visits and jointly carry out relevant technical advisory services and consultancies. Promotion of information sharing, knowledge management and value addition will also form a big part of this collaboration.
Key areas of collaboration among the two institutions will be established within the following fields of common interest including; common and emerging forest challenges in both countries, institutional capacity building, intellectual property governance and joint research proposals and publications among others.
According to Dr. Hillary Agaba-Director, the Institute espouses strategic partnerships and collaboration such as this one to propel her interests and effectively deliver on her mandate of conducting research in all aspects of forestry in Uganda. Research work conducted at NaFORRI aims at increasing the benefits derived from trees and tree resources through conservation and sustainable management of forests and tree resources. A similar MOU with the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) is in the offing. It is hoped that the three sister forestry research institutions in the East African region will develop joint regional forestry projects for the socioeconomic and environmental transformation of 159 million people currently living in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
