IUC · Ghent University × Gulu University

Sustainable Agri-Food Systems for Inclusive Communities

Building capacity for community-driven, evidence-based agri-food systems research — delivering food security, youth employment, and environmental sustainability for refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda.

Partners Ghent University KU Leuven Vliruos +7 more
L. Victoria GULU Kampala ESTABLISHED 2023 TARGET REGION Northern Uganda FOCUS AREAS 6 Themes
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6
Research Sub-projects
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2
Partner Universities
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IUC
Vliruos Programme
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🇺🇬🇧🇪
Uganda–Belgium Partnership

Strengthening institutional capacity for agri-food transformation

Gulu University (GU) is leveraging the Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) programme to build its human capacity for research and learning, alongside more effective policies and system structures.

The project delivers community-driven, evidence-based agri-food systems research products and services — driving inclusive socio-economic transformation for both refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda.

🌱 Climate-Smart Agriculture 🌾 Postharvest Management 💼 Entrepreneurship 👷 Employment Creation 🌿 Natural Resources 🤝 Conflict Resolution 📦 Value Addition
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Project Goals

Creating measurable, lasting impact in refugee-host communities through applied research and institutional capacity building.

Better Income
Food Security
Youth Employment
Environmental Sustainability

Six pillars of sustainable impact

Each sub-project is co-led by Flemish and local team leaders, combining international expertise with community-grounded knowledge.

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Climate-Smart Food Production

Co-developing and disseminating climate-smart innovations for gender-sensitive, sustainable agri-food systems to address food shortages in refugee-hosting communities.

Flemish LeadProf. Eduardo de la Pena
Local LeadProf. Alfred Obia
Ghent University
View sub-project details
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Postharvest Management & Value Addition

Developing innovations for value-added, safe, and nutritious foods while reducing food loss and waste — improving nutrition outcomes and off-farm income.

Flemish LeadProf. Christophe Matthys
Local LeadDr. Nulu Nansikombi
KU Leuven
View sub-project details
🕊️

Peace & Conflict Resolution

Unearthing drivers of conflict between refugees and hosts — co-generating gender-sensitive, community-led resolution systems that are faster and more restorative.

Flemish LeadProf. Ilse Derluyn
Local LeadDr. Saidat Nakitto
Ghent University
View sub-project details
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Business Incubation & Entrepreneurship

Supporting research-led agri-food business development to build entrepreneurial capacities of youth — improving market participation and living standards.

Flemish LeadProf. Liesbet Vranken
Local LeadDr. Irine Akite
KU Leuven
View sub-project details
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Environment & Natural Resources

Generating inclusive research solutions to manage land, water, soil, waste and bio-physical environments in settlements affected by unsustainable practices.

Flemish LeadTine Compernolle
Local LeadGeoffrey Maxwell Malinga
University of Antwerp
View sub-project details
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Institutional Strengthening

Improving Gulu University's capacity to formulate, monitor and audit gender-sensitive policy implementation, ICT and education quality assurance systems.

Flemish LeadChristel Meert
Local LeadDavid Davy Okello Owiny
HO Gent
View sub-project details
Project Leadership

Meet the key contacts

A dedicated team bridging Flemish and Ugandan institutions to drive meaningful, lasting change in Northern Uganda's agri-food systems.

DO
Partner Coordinator
Prof. Duncan Ongeng
d.ongeng@gu.ac.ug
🇺🇬 Gulu University
XG
Flemish Coordinator
Prof. Xavier Gellynck
xavier.gellynck@ugent.be
🇧🇪 Ghent University
BL
ICOS
Prof. Barbara Lobert
barbara.lobert@ugent.be
🇧🇪 Ghent University
SO
Project Manager
Dr. Solomon Olum
s.olum@gu.ac.ug
🇺🇬 Gulu University

Institutional Partners & Collaborators

Gulu University
Ghent University
KU Leuven
University of Antwerp
VUB
HO Gent
Howest
Thomas More
Vliruos
Belgium Development