Last year in October, Geoffrey Ssepuuya, a Senior Lecturer at Uganda Christian University (UCU), was awarded a grant worth USD 63,750 by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST). The grant aimed at piloting the production of low-cost protein and micronutrient-rich cricket feed from food waste in Kampala, Uganda.

The project is to run for 18 months and was officially launched to start pilot small scale industrial-scale production on Friday, April 26^th 2024.

“The first phase gave us knowledge now the second phase is the real marketing, going from laboratory to market,” said Florence Agwang, the grants officer at UNCST.

About the project

Sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, experiences rapid urbanization characterized by a booming young population, and a significant amount of food waste. In Uganda, food waste makes up 65-79% of solid waste in landfills causing environmental and health problems. Yet, this waste contains nutrients that could be utilized. In response to this, the UCU Faculty of Agricultural Sciences launched two exciting projects: “Food Waste-to-Cricket Feed II” and “Food Waste-to-Piggery Feed.”

Led by Dr. Geoffrey Ssepuuya, the project aims to transform food waste into a valuable protein source. It also solves the problem of food waste, promotes a circular economy, and addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The success of the project lies in sustainable production, a mechanism of food waste collection from households, and attaining equipments to process food waste to feed.

Multiple Benefits

The project offers a multitude of benefits, including:

• Increased Food Production: Cricket feed, in particular, is a protein-rich source of nutrients, which can contribute to improved dietary intake. Crickets can be dried and ground to be mixed with staple flours for porridge and food.

“Instead of consuming cassava bread that is only about 2% protein or even less, communities can supplement it with crickets, which are 50–60% rich in proteins,” Ssepuuya says. “So, with the feeds now available, they can rear the crickets, dry them under the sun, grind them into powder, and add the protein-rich powder to their food.”

The most common sources of proteins, such as meat, milk, and chicken, are not affordable to many Ugandans, yet they can now be redeemed by eating crickets.

• Reduced Waste: The UCU agriculture research team, led by Geoffrey Ssepuuya, a senior lecturer, established that there is a daily production of 768 metric tons of food waste in Kampala. By converting food waste into animal feed, the project reduces the amount of organic waste clogging landfills, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions and health risks. Reduced food waste disposal in landfills mitigates environmental hazards and associated health risks. Through these projects, UCU aims to alleviate the burden of disease linked to poor waste management practices, thereby fostering healthier communities.

The project creates nutritious animal feed from food waste, contributing to a more sustainable food system and potentially lowering food prices.

• Job Creation: The project has the potential to create decent employment opportunities, particularly for Uganda’s young population, in areas like food waste collection, feed production, and animal rearing.

Project Goals

The project team is working towards realizing several key goals:

• The project now aims to move from laboratory-scale production to small-scale industrial production, making it commercially viable and scalable.
• To establish a private small-scale food waste processing facility and contribute to increased farmer participation in cricket rearing.
• Having three manuscripts published and one policy brief developed and disseminated.
• Establishing a pilot program for sorted food waste collection.
• Researching optimal feed formulations for pigs, the most commonly reared livestock in Mukono district.
• Explore the nutritional benefits of food waste-derived feeds for livestock, particularly pigs.
• Evaluating the performance of these feeds on pig growth in both lab and field settings.
• Determining the cost-effectiveness of pig production using food waste-based feed.
• Enhancing the packaging, marketing, and distribution of certified cricket feed.

Project Success and Future

The “Food Waste-to-Cricket Feed II” project builds on previous research led by Dr. Ssepuuya that demonstrated the safety, affordability, and high protein content of cricket feed made from food waste.

Impact on SDGs

Vincent Kisenyi, UCU Director of Academic Affairs, noted that this project aligns with SDGs 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education), and 12 (responsible consumption and production). It promotes health by reducing waste and malnutrition, fosters education through research, and contributes to a cleaner environment by effectively managing waste.

He emphasizes the importance of waste management in safeguarding public health and creating economic opportunities for communities.

“Waste management is one of the big challenges we face as a country, and if this garbage is not well attended to, it can cause a lot of health problems,” Kisenyi said. “This project is relevant because it involves making use of what would have been wasted.”

The project not only tackles environmental and social challenges but also presents a significant economic opportunity.

As Dr. Ssepuuya, the project lead, stated, “Just as people collect coffee seeds to make coffee, why is it hard to collect food waste, make feed from it, use the feed to raise crickets and have cheap protein?”

Joshua Saloongo, a piggery farmer, has appreciated UCU for this initiative.

“We have been importing feeds for our pigs, however, this project is going to help us get these feeds locally made by the help of UCU,” Saloongo said.

These projects, funded by the African Centre for Technology Studies and UCU, hold potential for Uganda’s future and serve as a model for other African countries facing similar challenges.

Compiled by Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited By: Harriet Adong, Consultant at UCU’s Communication and Public Relations Department

(Note: This first-person story is provided by Pauline Luba, a final-year, undergraduate student in Uganda Christian University’s School of Journalism, Media and Communication. She is one of three interns writing for Uganda Partners. As she prepares to receive her bachelor’s degree this October, one of her next steps is helping others who, like her, have spina bifida. In late April, she launched a web site focused on that goal.)

By Pauline Luba
Born in May of 2002, I was the last of four children of a housewife and engineer. They were elated to bring another healthy baby into the world – at least for the first five months.

At six months, my mother noticed a peculiar swelling on the lower part of my tiny back. It quickly grew into a huge sac and prompted a rush to the hospital. Following tests, the doctor determined I had spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly.  The National Institutes of Health reports up to 10 of every 1,000 babies have it. An estimated 1,400 children are born with spina bifida annually in Uganda.

Spina bifida is a condition in which a spinal cord fails to develop properly. One of two things happens: 1) a large sac develops; or 2) a deep opening occurs where the spine should be. The types are myelomeningocele, meningocele and occulta.

Myelomeningocele, which is the most serious spina bifida type, has a sack of fluid coming through an opening in the back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are damaged in this sac. Most people with this type lose feeling in their legs, cannot use the bathroom and are generally faced with disability for life.

Meningocele is just a sac in the back with fluid and no part of the spinal cord. However, it may have some nerves and may lead to minor disabilities in one’s life.

Occulta is best described as where the gap in the spine is so small and underdeveloped that it goes undetected until late childhood or early adulthood. Unlike other types, occulta does not carry any disabilities or issues for the victims. Scientists theorise that it may be caused by genetics or environment but it needs to be studied further. 

I have meningocele. I am part of spina

bifida statistics. This, then, is not my full story, but rather a fraction of my obstacles punctuated with frustrations, learning and hope through the encouragement of God and His people.

At age six months, the sac in my back was successfully removed, but nerve damage occurred either from spina bifida or from the surgery itself. My mother blamed the surgeon.

My nerve damage caused issues in my left leg. It became weak and smaller in size than my right. There was a note of paralysis in part of my foot and toes. Doctor visits both in Kenya and Uganda were part of my childhood. Medical professionals said I was spina bifida-free with related or unrelated muscle atrophy best alleviated with exercise and physiotherapy, the latter of which was outside my family budget.

I was often bullied by my peers for being the girl whose legs were “two different sizes.” 

Still vivid in my memory is this childhood ridicule. One girl laughed loudly, pointing at my legs each time I stood up and walked to see the timetable at the front of the class. At the library, where students were required to remove shoes to enter, I was mocked again as classmates saw how I had tissue stuffed in mine to help them fit. I can still hear the glee from boys and girls when once I fell from the imbalance of an atrophied leg and even more with kids wrapping index fingers and thumbs around my lower leg to point out the small size. 

School-required dresses (vs. pants) for girls made my disability more obvious.

I developed a dislike for being touched, especially on my leg, and often isolated myself from other kids. At home, I cried a lot and sometimes pretended to be sick to avoid school. 

This took a toll on me, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Teasing and insensitive comments follow me even now as a young adult. Acquaintances and random people ask what happened to my leg. Some have genuine curiosity, whereas others laugh. 

I found myself asking God why. 

Why do I look different?  Why can’t I have equally sized-legs like everybody else? Why am I sick more than others?  While I did fake sickness occasionally, other times I was genuinely battling malaria or sinusitis or allergies to the cold. 

I felt I was a burden to my family. 

Throughout my self-isolation as a child, books were my friends. Books offered a beautiful escape and provided a deeper understanding of many things. When I wasn’t reading, I also started seeing the value in all people, regardless of disability.

One instance of this was in mid 2023, when Uganda Partners assigned me a story on a swimmer living with a disability at the university. Even before the story was written my interest peaked. The student I was meant to interview had lost his leg in an accident at age eight. 

Hearing the young man recount his tale of pain, suffering, rejuvenation and finding himself in swimming has stuck with me to this very day. His explanation about how he thought of nothing when he was in the water felt similar to how I thought of nothing when I read. Even though I was interviewing him that day, he took the wheel on teaching me a very important lesson on perspective and achieving what you want – regardless of what they world may think of you.

Now, as a student soon to receive my bachelor’s degree from Uganda Christian University, I can look back to find some silver linings that made me stronger, smarter and more sensitive to the differences of others. 

While books were my friends, God was my bigger friend. He was there to catch my tears, answer my questions, and encourage me. 

I am today selective about acquaintances, fostering genuine connections and friendships. 

One difficult situation I overcame was when I had to stand in front of an assembly at O’ level as a prefect and give a speech in my skirt, trying hard not to think about everyone judging me. To date, I have won speech competitions. To this, I mostly thank my older sisters, who believed in me and encouraged me.

Belief in myself moves me now to set up a non-profit which seeks to raise awareness about spina bifida, fund surgeries of patients, offer aid in their areas and so much more. It goes by the name of Kore – a pronunciation play on the word “core,” referring to the spine and how it’s one of the “core” body parts.

Kore community-based organization officially launched its website and social media in late April 2024. It’s found at www.koreug.org. My family and close friends are elated with the organization, but more so with the decision to begin this project considering my personal experience. 

I am not the most connected, wealthy or professional person in this country, but I am hopeful that my experience will drive this organization to its goal. I want to see more awareness about this disease, pregnant women taking the measures to protect their babies against it, children growing up without its associated stigma and combating the associated mental, social and physical challenges. I hope to assemble a team with so much creativity, that we don’t do things the normal way. 

And most of all, I hope to instill an essence of God into the hearts of all we touch. Without Him, I would not be here today.

I knew of Him, but once I started to foster a deeper relationship with Him, that was the true beginning of my life.  I was born with something I did not ask for, but I will not let it interfere with the dreams I have for myself. 

I want people with a similar story to read mine and know they are not alone. In my testimony to come, I hope to continue sharing to prove that no matter the disease, one’s life can still be fruitful and joyous.

To combat the toll of maternal and child mortality, Save the Mothers (STM) East Africa organized a Maternal and Child Health Conference on April 26^th  at Uganda Christian University (UCU).

The conference was held under the theme: “No mother or child should die or be harmed due to preventable childbirth-related complications: a role of multidisciplinary professionals.”

It was aimed at addressing key issues in maternal health, sharing innovative approaches, and inspiring positive change across communities. Participants generated and exchanged knowledge, shared experiences, and developed strategies to improve maternal health globally.

The Save the Mothers Conference brought together experts, advocates, and leaders who are dedicated to improving maternal health and outcomes across the world.

Dr. Charles Olaro, Director Curative Services at Uganda’s Ministry of Health graced the conference as Guest of Honour. He commended the Save the Mothers’ initiative for their dedication to the cause of saving lives of mothers and babies.

“Your dedicated work shows the transformational power of collective actions, resilience, innovations, and your efforts to implement impactful interventions that save the lives of mothers and babies,” Dr. Olaro said.

Jean Chamberlain Froese, one of the founders of Save the Mothers, encouraged the attendees to assess their skills, gifts, and potential to save mothers and ensure safe motherhood for children in East Africa and beyond.

Janet Apio, an alumni member of the 2016 class, said it was through the skills and knowledge she acquired at STM that she was able to open three projects in Bugiri district after realizing the need in her community to solve the problem of maternal mortality.

“I started three projects as interventions towards reducing maternal mortality deaths, including antenatal, postnatal, and general nursing care to help mothers during deliveries,” Apio said.

Compiled by Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited By: Harriet Adong, Consultant at UCU’s Communication and Public Relations Department

By Irene Best Nyapendi

Solid waste management is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. The rapid population growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Uganda, has led to an increase in food waste.

Food waste poses environmental and health burdens, but it also has alternative uses such as animal feed, compost, and energy generation.

 A study by Dr. Geoffrey Ssepuuya, a senior lecturer at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Elsie Nsiyona, Moses Kakungulu, Jane Frances Alowo, and Paul Nampala aimed to quantify the types and amounts of food waste and assess the attitudes and practices of food waste generators towards its disposal and potential use.

The study was conducted in Kampala city, with a sample size of 330 respondents, including households, institutions (hotels, restaurants, and schools), and markets.

The majority of respondents were youth and adults, with a minimum literacy level, and were married. Women in households and business owners in markets were identified as key gatekeepers of waste generation and management.

The study found established that there is a daily production of 768 metric tons of food waste in Kampala, with an estimated 312-380 kt of food waste generated annually. The majority of respondents disposed of food waste through dumping, with only a few considering alternative uses.

In a week, about 96, 72, and 93% of all the respondents in households, institutions and produce markets respectively experienced food waste at least one to three times.  

Over 90% of the respondents recognized food waste as a problem, and as a resource especially for use in livestock feed production, and were willing to consume house crickets raised on feed from food waste.

The study also found that literacy and education level, marital status, and income level influenced respondents’ attitudes and practices towards food waste management.

As a result of the research, the team led by Ssepuuya have launched a project aimed at converting food waste to a safe and shelf-stable cricket feed. 

For many university courses, students are expected to engage in  internships or have work placements as one requirement for the award of their degree. Pauline Luba of the UCU School of Journalism gleaned information from  some key university staff, an employer/alum and two students to learn how students should conduct themselves in the world of work, especially during internships.  UCU Law alum, Chris Mogal, created a video to reinforce the message, including how to avoid harrassment. 

Rev. Paul Wasswa Ssembiro, university chaplain, UCU

I am the university chaplain at Uganda Christian University (UCU). I’m in my fifth year here in this position. Internships come with temptations, “predators” and things that could be dangerous to a student. However, when students go into the internship with strong values, they can always cope. Know the value you attach to yourself, and you need a solid character base from which to draw the values. At UCU, we give opportunities to students to grow spiritually. Once you join any workplace, make your stance clear. Speak back to whichever predator, and the good news is the predators know that what they are doing is wrong.

I am the Senior Public Relations Officer at the Law Development Center (LDC). From 2003 to 2006, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at UCU. The transition from student to work is really different. As a student, there are lots of dos and don’ts in the guidelines at school to help keep someone in check, but when you move out to the professional world, it is all about you, and so there is interconnectedness between the two. The professional life is informed by the student’s life. There is no disconnect between the two; how you handle yourself as a student will reflect professionally on how you also will live the working life. My transition was formed when I joined UCU. Some of the things that I learned seem to be small, but mean a lot in life. For example, things like worship are not in every university. But when I joined UCU, I felt my level of faith improved because of the opportunity, such as the worship hour every Tuesday and Thursday.  I am one of the people formulating the sexual harassment policy at LDC. If you know yourself, you will not give in. Alumni are a big force in change. They contribute to the reputation of an institution. So, we cannot leave them out. They can guide the students. We can invite alumni to speak to students on how they can be prepared to manage their life of work. 

I have been an intern at places such as Pearl Advocates — a law firm and Resilient Africa Network, a partnership of 20 African universities in 13 countries. Our university usually guides us on where to go for internships. The talks they give us also provide insights into what to expect at the internship. There are some principles we need to uphold in order not to cast the university in a bad light. I have never faced sexual harassment or discrimination at the workplace, and I pray that my peers never get to experience such. Students need to be God-fearing. The university could counsel students on how to keep safe at work. 

UCU prides itself in professionalism and developing the character of students. We expect students to have integrity when they go to the workplace. We also expect our students to be diligent and to live by the core values we instilled in them. We expect them to serve others, and not to behave as if they are above everyone else. Servanthood and stewardship are some of the values we instil in them. They are also taught foundational courses that help them to conduct themselves out in the world. The university organises career affairs and invites several employers to speak to our students. In addition to this, UCU runs mentorship programs for the students. 

The programs equip students with tips and tricks to deal with issues like sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. In case of any harassment at the workplace, students need to identify who is harassing them and inform the authorities. 

At UCU, we offer several services that prepare students for internships and work placements. One of the key trainings that we have is the para counsellors training, where we discuss matters like the dos and don’ts in the world of work, as well as issues about sexual harassment. Students need to know the right steps to take in case of harassment. Harassment comes with a lot of consequences, including pregnancy. So, we try to “journey” with people who may find themselves in such situations. 

We also teach the students about emotional stability — when you go to a workplace, there are little things that can provoke someone, but once you are emotionally stable, you can respond, as well as execute your duties. 

Laetisha Asio Seth, student of Bachelor of Governance and International Relations, UCU

It’s advisable that one holds their values high when going into the world of work, for instance, being God-fearing, assertive, able to communicate and defend oneself. I advise that you just stay away from instances that could compromise you. 

Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) football team, known as the Cardinals, recently finished as first runners-up in the University Football League (UFL) season 2023/2024. This impressive feat not only confirms their reputation as one of the top contenders but also earns them a place in the upcoming East African University Games, which are scheduled to take place in December 2024. This event will be held either in Kenya or Tanzania, actual venue is yet to be confirmed and announced.

The UFL finals took place on the 20th of April 2024 at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, Kampala Uganda with UCU Cardinals playing with Nkumba University. Despite facing several early setbacks, UCU displayed resilience throughout the match.

Just 21 minutes into the game, UCU faced a huge setback after their goalkeeper John Collins Wesonga was sent out with a direct red card for handling the ball outside the box, leaving UCU with a numerical disadvantage.

Early in second half, Sharif Ssewanyana’s excellent free-kick provided a glimmer of hope for UCU.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, Nkumba emerged victorious, clinching the UFL championship for the first time in history with a resounding 3-1 victory over UCU. Nonetheless, in 2019, UCU won the UFL championship.

To reach the UFL final, UCU had to navigate a tense semi-final against Makerere University Business School (MUBS), which ended in a 1-0 victory. In the quarterfinals, they faced stiff competition from Makerere University, which ended in a 1-0 win.

As UCU prepares to participate in the East African University Games, they are well-positioned to leverage their experience, skill, and determination to register a mark on the regional stage. The Cardinals are poised to showcase their talent and represent UCU with pride in the upcoming tournament, with their eyes set on achieving success and bringing glory to UCU.

We all wish the UCU Cardinals the very best.

Compiled By: Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited By: Harriet Adong, Consultant at UCU’s Communication and Public Relations Department

Photos By: Andrew Bugembe