The Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation Hon. Caroline Gennez on 16th March 2023 officially visited Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), at Lake Saaka Campus, Fort-Portal Tourism City.
The purpose of the Minister’s visit was to oversee the performance of the past, ongoing projects and programs that were and in collaboration with MMU.
In a press statement issued by the MMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga, indicates that the Hon. Minister’s visit reflects the good and strong relations between the University and the Government of Belgium, adding that the over 10-year relationship to date has yielded support to MMU worth Euros 3 million (Ugx. 11Bn) for building staff capacity at PhD level and strengthening the structures the University systems, among many others.
The University Chairperson, Eng. Dr. Ben Manyindo in his communication during the Minister’s visit highlighted the benefits MMU has achieved from the cooperation with the Belgian Government as trained 14 staff at PhD level in areas of agriculture and education; connected MMU to the fibre national back-borne that has increased the internet connectivity and delivery of research, teaching and learning as part of digital transformation; community engagement and outreach that has enabled MMU to reach out and trained 512 farmer groups in diary and fish farming in Rwenzori region and this enabled farmers increase their productivity at farm level, and increased their incomes and quality of life; offered tailor-made training that has improved the leadership, financial, and research capacity of MMU staff; equipped laboratories of soil, water, aquaculture, and animal nutrition of MMU staff; supported the establishment of Kyembogo Dairy Development Centre as training, research, and extension facility centre for the University.
The all smiling Hon. Minister Caroline Gannez applauded MMU for utilizing the funds well for the intended purposes and encouraged the University to continue doing more in community engagement for socio-economic transformation.
The MMU Deputy Vice-chancellor, Prof. John M. Kasenene (Academic Affairs and Outreach) in reminiscence explained that MMU was faced with financial constraints before Government of Uganda took it on in 2022 and that the Belgian Government was there for the University in times of need. He was optimistic that the cooperation will continue since success in has been registered with the funds provided before and now.
Finally, the Hon. Minister planted a tree as on campus as a means of conserving the environment. This was later followed with a tour of different projects funded by the Belgian Government as; MMU radio, different laboratories in the Faculty of Agriculture among many more, this was together with the University Management and Council Chairperson.