Apply Online

Joseph Okello

Joseph Okello

Lecturer

Units

Contact Details

Research Platforms

Social Media

Joseph Okello is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (FAES), Mountains of the Moon University, Fort Portal, Uganda. He has a wide array of experience in teaching, research and community engagement. Joseph’s research covers soil science, tropical forest carbon monitoring, terrestrial biogeochemical processes, greenhouse gas fluxes, climate change and natural resources management. In these research areas, Joseph has been actively collaborating with global researchers notably in compiling global microclimate data through the Soiltemp network, and also in monitoring Afromontane forests carbon stocks and productivity through AFrimont network. Currently Joseph is part of a global research network under ONE FOREST VISION and GEO TREES initiatives aimed at making reliable carbon stocks measurements in tropical forests using novel approaches that combine aerial observations with ground data. His research is inspired by the need for sustainable natural resources management for optimum agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation & adaptation.

PhD Bioscience Engineering: Natural Resources (UGent, Belgium) obtained in October 2022. The PhD research was done at the Isotope Bioscience Laboratory – (ISOFYS) and Computational and Applied Vegetation Ecology (CAVE) laboratory of Ghent University. The research focused on unravelling the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus along an elevational gradient in Rwenzori montane forest of Uganda. The research contributed to better understanding of biogeochemical processes in Afromontane forests and ensure their sustainable management.

MSc. Physical Land Resources – Major Soil Science (UGent, Belgium) obtained in September 2016. The MSc. research investigated the potential of iron coated sand and glauconite filters for removal of excess phosphorus from artificially drained agricultural fields in Belgium. The research contributed to the development of a flow through filter materials that can be employed in the field for removing excess phosphorus from water drained from agricultural fields before being released in open water to avoid the problem of eutrophication in open water sources.

Bachelor of Community Forestry (MAK, Uganda) obtained in January 2012. The Bachelor research investigated the implementation of local bylaws and national laws for the conservation of the endangered shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica) in Northern Uganda. The study contributed to revival of local bylaws for conservation of the endangered shea butter tree.

 
  1. Trew, B.T., Edwards, D.P., Lees, A.C…. M. Okello, J et al. Novel temperatures are already widespread beneath the world’s tropical forest canopies. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 753–759 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02031-0
  2. Okello, J., Bauters, M., Verbeeck, H., Bodé, S., Kasenene, J., Françoys, A., … & Boeckx, P. (2023). Temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon respiration along a forested elevation gradient in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. Biogeosciences, 20(3), 719-735. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-719-2023
  3. Okello, J., Bauters, M., Verbeeck, H., Kasenene, J., & Boeckx, P. (2022). Response of Afromontane soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus to in situ experimental warming along an elevational gradient. FRONTIERS IN SOIL SCIENCE, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2022.905010
  4. Wacal, C., Sekajugo, J., Agole, D., Candia, G., Nyamweha, B., Muhangi, C., Kaingo, J., Gumisiriya, C., Okello, J., Obala, J. and Kule Birengesyo, E., 2026. Linking soil fertility management practices to perceptions of soil fertility status among smallholder farmers in Kabarole District and Fort Portal City, Western Uganda. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 24(1), p.2701501.
  5. Wacal, C., Buwa, R., Nyakahuma, J., Kirungi, P., Tibasiima, T.K., Kaingo, J., Luyima, D., Okello, J., Candia, G.L. and Nyamweha, B.R., 2026. Co-application of biochar and cow manure enhances growth, yield and soil chemical properties under spinach production. BMC Plant Biology.
  6. Okello, J., Bauters, M., Verbeeck, H.,Kasenene, J. & Boeckx, P. (2022). Aboveground carbon stocks, woody and litter productivity along an elevational gradient in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. Biotropica, 00,1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.13114.
  7. Okello, J. (2022). Biogeochemical cycles along an elevational transect in Rwenzori montane forests of Uganda. PhD thesis. Ghent University, 214 p.
  8. Cuni-Sanchez, A., …, Okello, J., … (2021). High aboveground carbon stock of African tropical montane forests. Nature, 596, 536–542. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03728-4
  9. Lembrechts, J. J., …, Okello, J., … (2021). Global maps of soil  temperature. Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16060
  10. Lembrechts, J. J., …, Okello, J., … (2020). A global database of near-surface temperature. Global Change Biology 26, 6616–6629. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15123
  11. Muzira, R., Nabasumba, D., Natuha, S., & Okello, J. (2024). Gender Dilemma of Small-Scale Farmers in Improving Household Income through an Agro Enterprise Development: A Case of Tea Growing Farm Households in Uganda. Open Access Library Journal, 11(3), 1-16.
  12. Muzira, R., Nabasumba, D., Natuha, S., & Okello, J. (2023). Understanding Gendered Tea Production Characteristics and Trends under Smallholder Farming Systems in South-Western Uganda. Open Access Library Journal, 10(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1109423
  13. Dina, N., Robert, M., Geoffrey, B., Joseph, O., & Halid, K. (2022). Dominant practices, information, and constraints of soil moisture conservation and nutrient management for range pastures in a sedentary grazing system in South-Western Uganda. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 18(6), 442-454.
  14. Muhumuza, J. B., Olatunde, A.K., Okello, J., Kyomugisha, M., Adebayo, K. (2016). Indigenous knowledge on diversity and conservation of two cocoyam genera (Colocasia and Xanthosoma) in Uganda. Scientia Agriculture, 13 (3),126–129.
  15. Nabasumba, D., Kankwatsa, P., Okello, J., Muzira, R., & Muhumuza, J. B. (2013). Adaptation potential of improved mango varieties in the dry lands of south western Uganda.
  1. TROPSOC – Tropical soil organic carbon dynamics along erosional disturbance gradients in relation to soil geochemistry and land use; (2018-2020) – Co-PI
  2. Proven concepts of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Push-Pull Intercropping (PPI), that can increase maize production and forage quality in a context of sustainable agricultural intensification of low input farming and drought; (2019-2021). – Co-PI
  3. Biogeochemical Cycles along an Elevation Gradient in Rwenzori Montane Forest of Uganda (2018-2022) – PI
  4. Integrated soil fertility and water management for improved maize productivity and forage quality in the context of sustainable agricultural intensification (2023-2024). Research and Innovation Fund Project- Mountains of The Moon University. – Co-PI
  5. DeltaSense: Africa’s remote sensing guardian of landscape degradation (2025- to date). – Co-PI Uganda. 
  6. One Forest Vision : Use innovative methods to monitor biodiversity and guide its conservation. GEO TREES SUPERSITE – KIBALE FOREST-UGANDA (2025 to date): PI Uganda site.
  1. PhD student -01 (on-going).
  2. Masters students (05 completed; 07 on-going).
  3. Undergraduate student (More than 10).