In January 2020, Prof. Brett Hurley and Dr Nicolas Kagimu visited Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Dr Kagimu is a PostDoc at FABI investigating the insecticidal and fungicidal properties of metabolites extracted from the bacteria associated with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). The visit to Makerere University was funded by the Future Africa Fellowship of Dr Kagimu, with the purpose of building links and exploring opportunities for further collaboration in the Postdoc’s home country. 

Professor Hurley and Dr Kagimu also visited NaFORRI (National Forestry Resources Research Institute) in Uganda. FABI has previously provided biological control agents to NaFORRI that were successfully released and established across the country. A number of field sites where these biocontrol agents had established were visited. They also visited other areas where there are still challenges of pests and diseases in the eucalypt and pine plantations. As many of the forest pest and disease problems are shared between South Africa and Uganda, there are many more opportunities to collaborate.

The meetings and field trip were a great success and a special thanks to Mr Peter Kiwuso of NaFORRI who organised the visit and hosted the FABI researchers.