Today: 25 May 2025
26 July 2023
3 mins read

Ugandan food science and nutrition pioneer awarded honorary degree

In her acceptance speech, Joyce thanked Dr. Olatunde Oluwatola from Nigeria for nominating her, the University of Reading for honouring her and said that this degree is a tribute to the Girl Child, not only in Uganda but the whole of Africa…reports Asian Lite News

An inspirational diplomat and academic, well known for her work to reduce poverty and childhood malnutrition in her home country of Uganda, has received an honorary degree from the University of Reading.

Professor Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda is the High Commissioner of Uganda to India and also spearheaded the establishment of Uganda’s first ever Department of Food Science and Technology in 1989. She was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science at a ceremony last week.

Professor Kikafunda is one of  few female professors in Uganda. She was educated at Makerere University, one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious universities, where she graduated with a BSc in Agriculture in 1976, receiving First Class honours. After further study in Canada, she went on to complete a PhD in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Reading.

Her research was primarily focused on the risk factors for childhood malnutrition in rural areas of Uganda. After she discovered poor weaning practices were largely contributing to childhood nutrition in the country, Professor Kikafunda and her team worked with mothers to explain how a better diet could improve their children’s health and weight. After word spread, her work on the project “Gender Informed Nutrition in Agriculture” contributed to a reduction of child malnutrition in the western Region of Uganda from 21% to 11% in a period of just four years.

Professor Carol Wagstaff, Research Dean for Agriculture Food & Health at the University of Reading, said: “Joyce’s drive and determination to eradicate poverty and reduce childhood malnutrition in Uganda was instrumental in her establishing, along with colleagues, a unit of Food Science and Nutrition at Makerere University.

“The number of Ugandans studying for a degree in food and nutritional sciences has greatly increased since Joyce founded the Department more than thirty years ago, now elevated to the status of a School due to its strategic national importance. It is particularly notable how the opportunities instigated by Joyce have enabled more women of Uganda to access higher education and to be empowered by gaining a science-based degree level education.”

Professor Kikafunda’s achievements have been recognised both nationally and internationally. She was awarded the Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa Award in 2012 and became a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Rice Research Institute based in the Philippines from 2010-2015.

In her acceptance speech, Joyce thanked Dr. Olatunde Oluwatola from Nigeria for nominating her, the University of Reading for honouring her and said that this degree is a tribute to the Girl Child, not only in Uganda but the whole of Africa.

Between 2013-2016, Joyce was High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK, then High Commissioner to Australia 2017-2022, and she is currently High Commissioner to India. She is also a Founder and Member of Ugandan Action for Nutrition, and is often described as the ‘mother of food science and nutrition’ in Uganda.

ALSO READ-Over 40 killed by rebels in Uganda school attack

Previous Story

Union Coop Signs MoU With Dubai Women’s Association

Next Story

OPPENHEIMER : A critical response to the 2023 movie

Latest from Africa News

Ramaphosa gains from US showdown

South African President’s conduct with Trump reminded South Africans of his diplomatic pedigree, and of his importance to the country’s rules-based order South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation went to

Armed gangs kill dozens in Nigeria

A local state governor said “scores” of people had been killed in the attacks, which also saw homes and properties destroyed. Northeast Nigeria has been gripped by a deadly wave of violence

Children die as USAID aid cuts snap a lifeline

Trump administration cut more than 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall assistance around the world. Programs serving children were hit hard Under the dappled light of a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

Awards recognize Kia’s commitment to ‘superior design, innovation and unparalleled

Canada Grapples with Historical Apology for Awarding Nazi Veteran

The Division members have been accused of killing Polish and