Makerere University Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma appointed Dr Yazidhi Bamutaze Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) effective 1st April 2022. Dr Bamutaze who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences at CAES will serve a four-year term. He takes on from Dr Gorettie N. Nabanoga, the current Principal of CAES.
Handover ceremony
On 21st April 2021, Dr Nabanoga officially handed over to the incoming Deputy Principal at a ceremony witnessed by the Deans, Heads of Department, the College Human Resource Officer, Ms. Hawa Harriet, members of staff at CAES, and a Representative from Internal Audit, Mr. Luwuliza Aggrey.
Presenting her handover report, Dr Nabanoga appreciated Makerere University Management for according her the opportunity to serve as Deputy Principal, CAES for 8 years and 7 months. She acknowledged the support of the Deans, Heads of Department, Registrars and all staff. “Without the support of Deans, Heads of Department, Programme Coordinators and Registrars, I would not have business. I appreciate your unreserved support,” she noted. She equally appreciated all staff who continue to diligently supervise students.
During her terms of office as Deputy Principal, the College registered numerous achievements including an increase in student enrolment. As at December 2021, CAES had a total of 2,922 registered students. Of these 2,758 (94.4%) were undergraduate students and 164 (5.6%) graduate students (Masters and PhD). Other achievements included growth in graduation statistics from 362 undergraduates in 2013 to 467 in 2021, and 122 graduate students in 2021 (with 21 PhDs) from 83 in 2013 with only five PhDs. The College also registered an increase in the number of programmes. As at 2021, the College was offering 15 undergraduate programmes and 24 graduate programmes in the broad areas of agriculture, food science and nutrition, forestry, environmental and geographical sciences. Of these six (6) new programmes (2 Undergraduate and 4 graduate) were developed during the last 8 years. Challenges experienced included; overstay on programmes, difficulty in ascertaining the number of graduate students due to non-registration, limited staffing leading to heavy workload and delays in students’ theses examination, and inadequate and delayed payment of external examiners. She implored the incoming Deputy Principal to follow up on the 84 theses currently under examination and pending petitions over phased out programmes namely; Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Land Use and Management, Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Bachelor of Science in Metrology, and Bachelor of Environmental Science. “We should target to present a minimum of 30 PhDs at the 2023 graduation ceremony.”
In his remarks, Dr Bamutaze appreciated his contenders for their commitment to serve the College. He thanked the former Deputy Principal for the great service to the College. He also appreciated all former leaders for their contribution to the College and University in general and appealed for continued guidance in pursuit of his duties. He pledged fairness and inclusivity in resolving issues affecting the college, and emphasized the philosophy of co-creation as key in achieving the mission and vision of the College. “CAES boosts of diversity and this is one of our major strengths. I pledge to harness this diversity and to contribute to a value system that recognizes everyone,” he noted.
Dr Bamutaze’s brief profile
Dr Yazidhi Bamutaze is Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences and Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). His service to Makerere University spans a period of 24 years. His main fields of teaching and research include geomorphology particularly fluvial processes, hazard and disaster science coupled with applications of geospatial tools and techniques. He was instrumental in developing several undergraduate and graduate programmes as well as acquisitioning first class facilities to enhance teaching and learning in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences.
He has successfully supervised to completion 5 PhD and 20 masters students.
He served as Head, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences from 2015 to 2019. He is the Senate Representative for the School of Forestry, Environment and Geographical Sciences. He represents Makerere University on the governing board/council of Sheikh Technical School in Somaliland. He also represents Makerere University on the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) of the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM), on which he was elected as Vice Chairperson in 2021. Internationally, he serves as Vice President/Councillor for the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE), Secretary for the International Association of Landscape Ecology (IALE) African Chapter, Member of the working Group on Climate Informed Digital Advisory Services of the Global Commission on Adaptation, Founding and Executive Member of the International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission on African Studies. He is serving as Associate Editor for three international journals including the Journal of Soil and Water conservation (JSWC). He has about 50 publications consisting of journal articles and book chapters.
