Byline: BUWULE JOSEPH MARY
Makerere University, in partnership with local, regional, and international institutions, is making significant strides in promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods through the TORCH Project—Towards A Clean Energy and Zero-Emission Society in East Africa. The initiative is designed to help communities respond to climate change through practical innovations, research, and inclusive partnerships.
Implemented across Uganda, South Sudan, and Austria, the TORCH Project focuses on strengthening academic and community collaborations in outreach, training, and research aimed at building a cleaner energy future and a zero-emission society.
In Uganda, one of the flagship interventions is the establishment of a Living Lab in Kabale District, specifically in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, Nyabumba Village. Here, farmers, students, researchers, and development partners are working together to test and demonstrate environmentally friendly technologies that improve household welfare while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A Community-Centred Response to Climate Change
The Living Lab model places communities at the centre of innovation. Rather than introducing externally designed solutions, the project works directly with households to identify livelihood challenges and co-create practical responses suited to their environment.
During a monitoring and progress review meeting held on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Kabale, stakeholders assessed achievements, reviewed ongoing activities, and mapped the next phase of implementation. The meeting brought together representatives from Makerere University, BOKU University, Kabale University, Youth Go-Green, as well as students, researchers, farmers, and community leaders.
Dr. Patrick Musinguzi, the Principal Investigator from Makerere University, emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a present-day challenge affecting agriculture, health, energy, and livelihoods.
“The project is about greenhouse gas emissions. We need to see how to progressively reduce or cut down the emissions,” he said.
He added that universities have a responsibility to generate knowledge that solves real community problems and supports sustainable national development.
Practical Technologies Transforming Rural Households
The Kabale Living Lab has prioritized several technologies based on the needs of farming households. According to Prof. Phelix Mbabazi Businge, Project Coordinator from Kabale University, four key interventions were identified:
Biogas Systems
These convert animal and organic waste into clean cooking fuel, reducing reliance on firewood and charcoal while lowering indoor air pollution. They also produce nutrient-rich slurry for use as organic fertilizer.
Woodlots
A total of 500 trees—including Calliandra, Grevillea, and Gliricidia—have been planted to promote sustainable fuelwood production, restore degraded land, and support carbon sequestration, easing pressure on natural forests.
Food Warming Baskets
These traditional, energy-efficient baskets retain heat in cooked food, reducing the need for reheating and minimizing fuel consumption.
Rainwater Harvesting Tanks
Water harvesting systems improve access to clean water for domestic use, livestock, and small-scale farming, particularly during dry periods.
Prof. Businge noted that implementation is progressing steadily, with the host farmer already reporting positive outcomes. He encouraged continued community support for students and researchers who will use the site as a long-term learning and demonstration centre.
Empowering Youth for a Green Future
Recognizing the critical role of young people, the TORCH Project has partnered with Youth Go-Green to mobilize youth around environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Speaking at the meeting, coordinator Muhumuza Edwin said the organization engages more than two million young people across Uganda through national and regional structures.
“Farming is one of the key priority areas that we need to emphasize and improve,” he said.
He urged youth and community members to actively participate in sustainable agriculture and support one another in adopting climate-smart practices.
A Farmer’s Life Transformed
At the heart of the Living Lab is host farmer Charles Byarugaba, whose home has become a practical learning site for the community.
Byarugaba shared that before joining the project, farming was largely unplanned, often leading to low productivity and losses.
“Traditionally, I used to do unplanned business and farming. We would benefit little or find ourselves at the losing end before we started working with the TORCH Project,” he said.
He noted that the project has equipped him with skills in planning, enterprise management, and sustainable farming. Beyond his household, he believes the Living Lab offers an opportunity for the wider community to improve livelihoods, enhance nutrition, and increase incomes.
Research That Begins With Communities
Mr. Andreas Bauer from the Institute of Development Research at BOKU University highlighted the project’s participatory research model.
“Before we come up with a research question, we talk to the community and see what their issues are in their livelihoods,” he explained.
This approach ensures that research outputs are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to real community needs, while also giving students valuable field-based learning experiences.
Strengthening Global Academic Partnerships
The TORCH Project underscores the value of cross-border collaboration in addressing development challenges. Key partner institutions include Makerere University, BOKU University, Kabale University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, and University of Juba.
Together, these institutions are combining expertise in agriculture, climate science, energy systems, and community engagement to develop scalable solutions for East Africa.
Looking Ahead
As implementation continues, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding successful interventions, increasing community participation, and strengthening research outputs that support sustainable development.
For Makerere University, the TORCH Project reflects a broader commitment to research excellence, innovation, and community transformation. By linking academic knowledge with local realities, the initiative is helping communities build resilience to climate change while advancing clean energy, food security, and inclusive growth.
With climate pressures intensifying across the region, the Kabale Living Lab stands as a compelling example of how universities and communities can work together to shape a more sustainable future.