
BugiZARDI
Who We Are
Buginyanya ZARDI is a semi-autonomous Public Agricultural Research Institute (PARI) under the policy guidance of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). BugiZARDI was operationalised on 1st July, 2008 in compliance with the NAR Act 2005. The institute is composed of Buginyanya (95.0 ha) as the main station located in Masira Sub-county, Bulegeni (47.8 ha) in Kamu Sub-county, Bulambuli District and Ikulwe (86.0 ha) in Mayuge town council, Mayuge District. BugiZARDI spearheads Agricultural Research and Development work in Uganda’s South Eastern Agro-Ecological Zone (U’SEAEZ) that administratively comprise the districts of; Bukwo, Kween, Kapchorwa, Bulambuli, Sironko, Mbale, Bududa, Manafwa, Budaka, Kibuku, Pallisa, Tororo, Busia, Butaleja, Iganga, Bugiri, Namutumba, Mayuge, Jinja, Kamuli, Luuka, Buyende, Namayingo, Kaliro, Namisindwa, Butebo and Bugweri.
In the year 1993, the station started conducting research in potatoes, which culminated into the release of two potato varieties namely Victoria and Cruza. The O/C at that time was Mr. J.B. Birikunzira, a pathologist who later in 1993 proceeded to Kawanda to head the tissue culture laboratory. Between 1994 and 2000, Mr. Wobibi Stephen was the Acting O/C
Scope
Given that an Agro-ecological zone’s definition relies on aspects such as land, climate, soil, topography, crop suitability and crop productivity, BugiZARDI has been conveniently sub-zoned into the highlands, mid altitude and lowlands.
High and mid-altitude zones
The high and mid-altitude zones consist of areas with altitude range of 1300 to 3000 metres above sea level (masl). It covers districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Sironko, Mbale, Bududa, Manafwa and Namisindwa. Soils of this zone are characterised by deep fertile soils of volcanic origin, well drained dark clay loam and red sand clay loam with sticky texture. This soil supports the banana – coffee farming system which is predominant in the area. The zone receives a bi-modal pattern of rainfall, with the wettest months being April and October, while July to August and December to February are relatively dry.
Lowland sub-zone
This sub-zone comprises districts of Budaka, Kibuku, Pallisa, Butebo, Tororo, Busia, Butaleja, Iganga, Bugiri, Namutumba, Mayuge, Jinja, Kamuli, Luuka, Buyende, Namayingo, Kaliro and Bugweri which generally lies in the altitude range of 1000 – 1300masl. The area has a well distributed rainfall pattern with an annual average of 1200m. The mean annual temperature ranges from 20-25⁰C with average minimum of 18⁰C and Maximum of 30⁰C. The subzone has generally fertile and productive soils of well drained sandy-clay loam and sandy-loam. The vegetation is a mixture of indigenous and exotic species of both timber and none timer tree species.
Our Mandate
Brief History
Buginyanya station started in 1969 on 95 ha of land as a field station for Coffee Entomology Research under the names Buginyanya Coffee Research Station headed by an Officer in Charge, Mr. Macnut a British National. Bugusege, a sub-station of Buginyanya at the time was mandated as a germplasm conservation centre for Arabica coffee.
In the year 1993, the station started conducting research in potatoes, which culminated into the release of two potato varieties namely Victoria and Cruza. The O/C at that time was Mr. J.B. Birikunzira, a pathologist who later in 1993 proceeded to Kawanda to head the tissue culture laboratory. Between 1994 and 2000, Mr. Wobibi Stephen was the Acting O/C.
With the reforms in the agricultural sector in 1997/98, the station was changed to a satellite station under the Coffee Research Centre (COREC) until the year 2000. In the year 2002 to 2003, Buginyanya station was made an Agricultural Research and Development Centre (ARDC) with Bulegeni and Bugusege as its sub-stations. From 2003, Bulegeni together with Buginyanya became satellite stations under Nabuin ZARDI until 2008 when Buginyanya was elevated to a Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (ZARDI) to cover Uganda’s South Eastern Agro-ecological Zone (U’SEAEZ) with Ikulwe and Bulegeni as its satellite stations under the pioneer director Dr. Wagoire, William Wamala. The two satellite stations were placed under the ZARDI with support from MAAIF supported by parliament, as a centre of excellence for agricultural research and innovations for the U’SEAEZ covering the sub regions of Sebei, Bugisu, Bukedi and Busoga.
BugiZARDI News
Shortlisted candidates for oral interviews – Feb 2025
New study proves NARO’s Anti-tick vaccine is highly safe and effective
President Museveni Commends Agricultural Scientists at African Union Summit
Shortlisted candidates for written interviews
Letter from the Director General
Call for Proposals: Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project
NARO Partners with China to Advance Perennial Rice in Africa
Shortlist Candidates for selected positions
NARO tailored Agricultural Models to address the unique challenges
Vacancy – Directors of Research
NARO-NaCRRI Preaches value addition in the 3rd Eastern Agricultural Show
Ugandan Innovation Shines on Times Square in New York
Tooro Kingdom, NARO partner to fight food insecurity
Banana Products Survey
NARO Moves to Start Vegetable Seeds Production
Agricultural Research as a Trigger for Economic Transformation
President Museveni Optimistic of Egypt-NARO Partnership on FMD Vaccine Production
NARO’s contributions towards development and uptake of Nutrient rich foods in Uganda
3m FMD Vaccine Doses Arrive in Uganda
NARO-RWENZURURU Kingdom Partnership
Labour Day Celebrations
NARO-KOPIA 15th Anniversary – Seoul, South Korea
NARO Job Opportunities Director of Research
Anti-tick Vaccine Breakthrough
NARO Fisheries Institute Recognized as an African Centre of Excellence
Nature-based Tea production solutions
Katikkiro Enthralled at NARO results
South Sudan-NARO learning visit
NARO Refugee project
Deputy Speaker’s visit to NARO
ZUKUKA-KISOBOKA campaign drive
Farming and farming systems in the zone

Farming is the main stay of the people of U’SEAEZ with more than 80% of the households engaged in farming as a major source of livelihood. The farming systems in the zone are characterised by mixture of enterprises involving both crops and livestock. The population at the vicinity of Lake Victoria have a unique opportunity of capture fishery meanwhile there is an increasing interest in aquaculture in other regions e.g. Bukedi, Bugisu and Sebei.
Whereas crops like maize, beans, bananas, tomatoes, cabbages and onions are grown throughout the zone, others like Arabica coffee, wheat, Barley, potatoes and apples are specifically found in the high and mid altitude subzones. On the other hand, Robusta coffee, cotton, groundnuts, rice and cassava are more grown in the low altitude subzone. There is essentially a thin line between cash and food crops in the zone as the crops that were traditionally known as food crops now command high prices in the market. Other crops that are gaining popularity in all the sub-zones are horticultural crops like onions, tomatoes, cabbages and carrots.
Governance
Research Scientists
–Short Profiles —
Dr. Benard Yaada, PhD.
–Program leader–
Research expertise:
ORCID:
Google scholar:
Dr. Jimmy Lamo, PhD.
–program leader–
Research expertise:
ORCID:
Google scholar:
Dr. Gabriek Ddamulira, PhD
–program leader–
Research expertise:
ORCID:
Google scholar:
Dr. Pamela Paparu, PhD
–program leader–
Research expertise:
ORCID:
Google scholar:
Functional committees
BugiZARDI also operates with functional committees that help ease the work of the Director and also provide transparency and general ownership of the Institute’s activities. Among these are:
- Land management committee
- Training committee
- Housing and welfare committee
- Mentoring and disciplinary committee
- Finance committee
- Planning, Budgeting and report writing committee
- Scientific committee
- NTR committee
- Reward and incentive committee and
- Subcontracts committee
Products & Services

Strategic thrusts
The strategic objectives of BugiZARDI take into account the thrusts and performance areas which will contribute to NARO’s overall outputs as follows:
Achievements & Milestones
i) Crops and Natural Resources Research Program


ii) Technology Promotion and Outreach Program at Buginyanya ZARDI conducts the following major activities among others;
iii) Animal Resource Research Program
The purpose is for enhanced sustainable productivity, profitability, value added and competitiveness in livestock and fisheries products in the zone. It encompasses all Livestock (small ruminants, dairy & beef cattle, poultry, piggery) aquaculture and capture fisheries R&D; breeding, nutrition and general management.

Mid-altitude and Highland research
activities in pictures










Partnerships & Collaborations
Ministry of Science Technology and Innovations – Currently under president’s office
Uganda Breweries Ltd – on Barley variety development and support for statutory release
Uganda National Council for Science and Technology –Support wheat variety development to contribute to industrialization and import substitution
KILIMO TRUST – Promoting rice production and productivity through increase of technologies, innovations and management practices
Also working under AIRTEA Project managed by Abi ZARDI
Hosting a number of trials for other institutes and demos for seed companies
Volunteer & Internships
Application Procedure for Volunteers and Internships
Volunteers: Interested persons are advised to write and deliver applications to BugiZARDI on weekdays.
Internships: BugiZARDI runs one internship program annually. Students are advised to deliver applications and university recommendations to the Institute on weekdays.
Contacts
Contact Information
- Bugiyanya Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute - BugiZARDI
- Masira Sub-county, Bulegeni (47.8 ha) in Kamu Sub-county, Bulambuli