The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with the mandate to coordinate and oversee all aspects of public-funded agricultural research in Uganda.

Established as a body corporate by the National Agricultural Research Act of 2005, NARO comprises a Governing Council, a Secretariat and 16 Public Agricultural Research Institutes spread across the country.

NARO is mandated to undertake research in all aspects of agriculture including crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, agro-machinery, natural resources and socio-economics.

The NARO Governing Council (NGC), which is the supreme organ overseeing and ensuring good corporate practices. The Council members are appointed by the Ministry of agriculture with tenure of four years

However the Naro Director and its research Institute directors have a tenure of five years which is renewable up to ten years.

As such Dr Yona Baguma was appointed Naro Director last year replacing Dr Ambrose Agona.

In the same event Naro replaced most of its research Institute Directors following the elapse of tenure for the former directors and below are the details.

Dr. Titus Alicai

Dr. Titus Alicai is the new Director of Research for National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Namulonge.

He previously served in the same position for one year at Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute.

He joined NARO in 2000 initially as project research scientist. He obtained full time appointment with NARO in 2001 as a Research Officer,

He rose to the top most professional rank of Senior Principal Research Officer heading root crops programme at NaCRRI where he majored in cassava breeding releasing several varieties resistant to cassava Mosaic Virus and Cassava Brown Streak Virus which farmers have adopted in cassava growing regions.

He is an accomplished plant health scientist with 27 years’ experience in design, leadership and implementation of impactful agricultural research interventions.

He has a PhD in Plant Virology from University of Greenwich (UK). He also holds Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, both obtained at Makerere University.

Dr. Alicai served as a Post-Doctoral Scientist at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Missouri, USA.

His technical research skills and experience cover plant virology, biotechnology, biosafety, confined and regulatory field trials, tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular biology and molecular diagnostics.

He has contemporary expertise in gene discovery, bioinformatics, epidemiology, seed systems, genetic resources conservation, research product development, deployment and commercialization.

Director NaRL

Dr Robooni Tumuhimbise is the new director of the National Agricultural Research Laboratories Kawanda

He attained his PHD in Agriculture and Hot Culture plant breeding in the University of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa having attained his maters at Makerere University in Crop science and Bachelor of Applied Science Makerere University

Robooni has a 16-year-long experience in agricultural research and development. He has done applied and discovery research on a wide range of agricultural crops, including tea, banana, cassava, cocoyam and coffee.

Before his current appointment as Director of Research he was the Director of Research for Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in charge of the entire Ruwenzori region, with its headquarters in Fort Portal.

Previously, Robooni worked as a Senior Banana Breeder at NARL-Kawanda, where he successfully built and inspired a huge team of scientists and support staff with diverse background in terms of age, education, ethnicity and gender.

The team successfully released five market-preferred cooking banana varieties that are currently being grown and commercialized in the east and central Africa for improved household food and income security.

He also one-time worked as a General Safety Inspector in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Director NaLRRI

Prof. Majalija Samuel is the New Director of the National Agricultural Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLRRI)

His career is dedicated to veterinary education, research leadership and management,

He graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, continuing his academic pursuits with a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine.

His academic journey culminated in a PhD in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (Microbiology) from the University of Cape Town.

He brings over 25 years of rich and diverse experience. At Makerere University, he advanced from a Teaching Assistant to Associate Professor in the Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health.

He has supervised numerous graduate students, mentored young researchers and contributed extensively to research projects

Additionally, he served as Deputy Principal at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity.

His research outputs have informed national policies and introduced innovative solutions for livestock health and production.

He is celebrated for his commitment to academic excellence, research leadership and community impact especially livestock farmers.

Director NaFORRI

Dr. John Adriko has been appointed as the new Director of the National Forestry Research Institute (NaFORRI), succeeding Dr. Hillary Agaba.

He holds a PhD in Molecular Plant Pathology from the University of Copenhagen, a Master’s degree in Crop Science and a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture both of Makerere University.

Dr. Adriko is a plant microbiology and molecular biologist

He has more than 15 years’ experience in medicinal plant research, plant disease diagnostics and management, agricultural and environmental biotechnology, genetic resources utilization and conservation and phytochemical profiling, and product development.

Prior to his appointment, he held various positions at the National Agricultural Research Organization.

He worked as a Principal Research Officer Plant Molecular Biology at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL), where he has been Programme leader for the Biodiversity and Biotechnology Programme, providing direction and oversight for research in biodiversity, integrated pest management and biotechnology.

He chairs the taskforce of the NARO Lab Accreditation Committee, supporting the development of quality management systems for NARO laboratories and its accreditation process.

He is also the taskforce leader for the establishment of the Regional Gene Bank, leading in the development of the concept and a fundraising strategy for the facility.

He led and contributed to research in the development of plant-based crop protection solutions; tissue culture systems for medicinal and high-value plant species; disease diagnostics; biopesticide formulations for pest management; development of algae-based animal and fish feed products and an ICT tool for linkage of the National Gene bank to Community Seed Banks, among others.

Dr. Adriko has served on several committees and task forces, such as the task force for the establishment of the National Sugar Research Institute (NSRI); the NARO Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; and the Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources Management (WG-PGRM) of the African Seed and Biotechnology Platform for the African Union Commission (AUC), among others.

Director NaSARRI

Dr David Kalule Okello is the new director of the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute in Serere.

He is a Principal Research Scientist with a background in Plant Genetics and Breeding.

He holds a BSc in Agriculture, Masters of Science in Crop Science, and a PhD in Crop Science in Agriculture all from Makerere University

Since 2007, he has been the Head of groundnut Research in Uganda where he has released 15 commercial varieties adopted throughout the Continent.

These varieties have been shared throughout Africa  in countries such as Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, South Sudan, Ethiopia), Haiti and the USA.

I has created and assembled 3200 groundnuts germplasm being conserved both insitu and exsitu in Uganda.

To date I have successfully managed 30 projects National, continental and global in scope from array of development partners

Since 2008 he has supervised Masters Students and a PhD student and mentored to completion with eight graduate students (PhD-5, MSc-3) ongoing.

His main areas of interests include Participatory Varietal Development, Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Seeds Systems, Genetic Materials Conservation, Gender and Youth, Capacity Building, Food and Nutrition Security and Livelihoods improvements.

He served as the Programme Leader Oil Crops overseeing national research on Simsim, Sunflower and Groundnuts before his new job.

Director Buginyanya Zardi

Dr. NasserKasozi is the new director of Bunginyanya Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institute in Bulambuli district.

He holds Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and animal science, Diploma in Fisheries management and technologies Mkarere University, an MSc degree in Aquaculture from Ghent University, Belgium and a PhD in Fisheries Science from Rhodes University South Africa.

Dr. Kasozi an accomplished scientist with training in aquaculture and experience spanning over 16 years, replaces Dr. Owere Lawrence.

He previously served at Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Arua heading the fish breeding programme.

His vison is to transform the Aquaculture Development and Hatchery Centre in Mbale to produce seed for the Zone, introduce and promote new varieties of Arabica Coffee, Wheat, Barley, Potatoes, and highland Maize.

His top priorities include; scaling sustainable agriculture through innovation hub networks, enhancing seed bulking and development of local seed enterprises and ensuring strategic zonal technology demonstrations and exhibition platforms.

Acting Director Rwebitaba Zardi

Dr Staley Tamusanger Nkalubo is a celebrated Ugandan plant breeder and Genetist, has assumed the role of acting Director of Research at the Rwebitaba Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Rwebitaba ZARDI) in Fort Portal City.

Dr. Nkalubo is known for his significant contributions to agricultural research, including the development and release of over 25 bean varieties to Ugandan farmers.

Director Kachwekano Zardi

Dr Jerome Kubiriba has appointed the new director of Kachwekano Agricultural Research and Development Institute

He previously served as the programme leader Banana research at NaRL kawanda breeding banana varieties resistant to banana bacterial wilt, black sigatoka and banana weevils among others.