By KT Reporter
Gulu University has officially launched the second phase of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) program.
The initiative is designed to equip students and local communities with practical skills in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and development.
The launch ceremony, held on the university campus on Thursday, brought together students, academic staff, district leaders, farmers, and representatives from key development partners, including the Mastercard Foundation and RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture), who are co-funding the program.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Duncan Ongeng, TAGDev 2.0 Coordinator, described the program as a transformative effort to create meaningful opportunities for young people, who currently face high levels of economic disengagement.
“We have a large number of young people who are not economically engaged, and this is increasingly becoming a social problem,” Prof. Ongeng noted.
“Agriculture presents a viable platform for economic empowerment, but the way it has been organised historically does not attract or incentivise youth participation.”
He emphasised that the agricultural sector has long failed to understand and integrate young people effectively.
TAGDev 2.0 aims to reposition youth within the agricultural value chain through targeted skills training, entrepreneurship support, and institutional collaboration.
To implement the program, Gulu University is partnering with Muni University, Busitema University, TVET institutions in the West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions, as well as other stakeholders. The goal is to co-create practical business solutions that provide youth with dignified and sustainable work.
Prof. Ongeng further stressed that a unified agricultural ecosystem is necessary to address these challenges, urging a shift in how universities and institutions operate.
“Universities can no longer afford to do business as usual. The challenges are growing, and our impact must rise to meet the increasing demand. This requires a new mindset, one that views agriculture as an engine for youth-led development.”
TAGDev 2.0 is a 10-year program with three core components: Scholarships for disadvantaged but academically capable students, Research and entrepreneurship development focused on job creation, and Institutional transformation to better serve communities.
One of the program’s flagship initiatives is the establishment of the Food Systems Research and Entrepreneurship Centre (ASEC) at Gulu University, a five-year project that will serve as a hub for innovation in Northern Uganda’s agri-food sector.
Prof. Ongeng explained that “The centre will drive continuous innovation and provide job opportunities for youth. What works today may not be relevant tomorrow, so we must build a system that can evolve with changing needs.”
He also pointed out the importance of engaging financial institutions tailored to support young entrepreneurs.
“Many financial systems are not tailored to support young people. Through TAGDev, we aim to collaborate with banks and other financial actors to develop youth-friendly financial solutions that are both profitable and impactful.”
As part of TAGDev 2.0, Gulu University will roll out hands-on training programs in agribusiness, sustainable farming, value addition, and youth entrepreneurship. Students will participate in field-based projects in partnership with rural farming communities.
Dr. Collins Okello, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, emphasised that TAGDev 2.0 is about building institutional capacity to serve communities better, especially those affected by poverty and climate change.
“The program focuses on inclusivity, with special attention to empowering young women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities,” Dr. Okello said.
ASEC will utilise community action research to tackle climate challenges and improve farmers’ climate-adaptive capacities. The centre will also support entrepreneurial training to help youth create wealth and sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Okello highlighted the importance of digital tools in business and entrepreneurship development.
“Digitalisation will enable young people to adapt to modern, technology-driven business models. With staff retooling, private sector engagement, and startup support, ASEC offers great opportunities not only for university and TVET students but also for out-of-school youth.”
He added that TAGDev 2.0 holds the potential to make a significant impact in Uganda’s Lango, Acholi, and West Nile sub-regions, which are among the most affected by multidimensional poverty.
TAGDev was initially piloted at Egerton University in Kenya and Gulu University in Uganda from 2016 to 2022. The successful pilot has paved the way for an expanded, pan-African rollout under TAGDev 2.0.
As Gulu University joins this continental effort, it strengthens its identity not only as a centre of academic excellence but also as an engine for inclusive, community-driven development-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
