Research Proposal Professor in Uganda Kampala – Free Word Template Download with AI

Submitted By: Professor Amos N. Kiggundu
Institution: Department of Environmental Science, Makerere University, Kampala
Date: October 26, 2023

Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, faces unprecedented urbanization pressures with an annual population growth rate of 4.5%, straining food systems and infrastructure (UBOS, 2021). As a leading academic institution in East Africa, Makerere University remains committed to addressing critical challenges through evidence-based research. This Research Proposal, spearheaded by Professor Amos N. Kiggundu—a distinguished scholar with 18 years of agricultural research experience in Uganda—aims to tackle the urgent issue of urban food insecurity in Kampala's rapidly expanding informal settlements. With over 60% of Kampala's population residing in slum areas where access to affordable, nutritious food is severely limited (UN-Habitat, 2022), this project directly responds to Uganda's National Development Plan III (NDPIII) priorities on sustainable agriculture and urban resilience. The proposed study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 11 (Sustainable Cities), positioning Kampala as a model for African urban innovation.

Current agricultural practices in Kampala's peri-urban zones are largely unsustainable, characterized by soil degradation, water pollution from chemical fertilizers, and inefficient land use. Over 75% of the city's fresh produce is imported from rural areas (FAO, 2022), increasing food costs by 30% annually and creating vulnerability during supply chain disruptions. Crucially, existing research fails to address the socio-technical integration required for scalable urban farming solutions in Kampala's unique context—where land tenure insecurity, climate variability, and limited technical support persist. This gap necessitates a localized research approach led by a Professor with deep community engagement expertise in Ugandan urban landscapes.

1. To assess current urban agricultural practices across five Kampala sub-counties (Nakawa, Makindye, Kawempe, Kiboga, and Wandegeya) through household surveys and field mapping.
2. To co-design low-cost vertical farming systems utilizing locally available materials with community cooperatives in high-need zones.
3. To evaluate the economic viability and environmental impact of proposed systems using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology.
4. To develop a policy framework for municipal integration of urban agriculture into Kampala Capital City Authority's (KCCA) food security strategy.

While global studies on urban agriculture exist (e.g., Grewal et al., 2019), they lack Ugandan context specificity. Local research by Nankya (2018) identified community-based initiatives in Kampala but overlooked technical scalability. Similarly, Kiggundu's prior work at Makerere (2016) documented soil contamination issues yet proposed no actionable remediation models for smallholders. This project bridges these gaps by centering Kampala's realities: its 30% annual land conversion rate to non-agricultural use (KCCA, 2020), high rainfall variability, and cultural significance of home gardening (Nabukeera, 2021). Critically, it advances beyond previous studies by embedding gender-inclusive design—engaging women-led cooperatives who manage 68% of Kampala's urban farms (Uganda Women’s Network, 2022).

This mixed-methods study employs a participatory action research (PAR) approach, essential for ethical engagement with Kampala communities. Phase 1 involves quantitative household surveys (n=350) across diverse neighborhoods using stratified random sampling, measuring food expenditure patterns and crop yields. Phase 2 deploys community workshops with the Professor leading co-design sessions to adapt hydroponic systems using recycled plastic containers and banana peels as organic fertilizer—cost-effective solutions tested in Makerere’s urban farm hub. Phase 3 applies LCA via SimaPro software to quantify carbon footprint reductions versus conventional farming. Ethical clearance will be obtained from Makerere University’s Research Ethics Committee, with data anonymization protocols for sensitive community inputs. The research team includes two post-doctoral researchers from the Department of Environmental Science and partnerships with KCCA’s Urban Agriculture Unit.

The Professor anticipates three transformative outcomes: (1) A replicable urban farming toolkit for Kampala's informal settlements, targeting 500 households by Year 2; (2) Policy briefs for KCCA to revise its Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan; and (3) A peer-reviewed publication in the *African Journal of Agricultural Research* highlighting Kampala-specific models. Significantly, this research will empower Kampala's most vulnerable residents—particularly women and youth—by creating income streams through home-grown produce sales. Economically, it could reduce household food costs by 25% (based on pilot data from Mukono District). Socially, it advances Uganda’s Vision 2040 by fostering community ownership of food systems. As a Professor deeply embedded in Kampala's academic ecosystem, the lead researcher ensures findings directly translate into Makerere University’s extension services and national curriculum development.

• Months 1-3: Community engagement and baseline surveys (Partner: KCCA)

• Months 4-8: Co-design of farming systems with community cooperatives (Partner: Uganda National Farmers’ Union)

• Months 9-12: Field trials and LCA implementation

• Month 13: Policy workshop and final report

Budget request: $48,500 (USD) covering field assistant stipends ($15,000), materials for 25 pilot sites ($22,300), community workshops ($7,200), and data analysis software ($4,00₀). This aligns with Uganda’s Research and Development Investment Strategy 2.1 (RDIS 2.1) requiring at least 1% of national agricultural expenditure on research.

This Research Proposal represents a vital opportunity for a Professor in Kampala to drive tangible change in urban food systems. By centering community voices and leveraging Makerere University’s position as Uganda’s premier research institution, the study transcends academic inquiry to deliver scalable solutions for Kampala’s 1.6 million residents facing daily food insecurity. The outcomes will directly support Uganda’s National Agriculture Policy (2020) while generating data for international organizations like the World Bank and FAO to replicate models across Africa. As Professor Kiggundu affirms: "Urban agriculture is not merely about growing vegetables—it is about cultivating dignity in Kampala’s neighborhoods." This project positions Kampala as a global leader in sustainable urban living, proving that locally led research can reshape food futures.

FAO. (2022). *Uganda Food Security Report*. Rome: FAO.
KCCA. (2020). *Kampala Urban Agriculture Strategy*. Kampala: Kampala Capital City Authority.
Nabukeera, J. (2021). "Gender and Urban Farming in Kampala." *Journal of African Studies*, 34(2), 117-134.
Nankya, L. (2018). *Urban Agriculture in East Africa*. Nairobi: AERC.
UBOS. (2021). *Uganda Population and Housing Census*. Kampala: Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

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