Upcoming Event

Join us for the Brownbag Seminar entitled “Gender-Based Strategies and use of indigenous systems in Dairy Farming Households in Western Uganda” by Dr. Judith I Nagasha, Head of International Relations and a Lecture at Kyambogo University.

Abstract:

Gender-based strategies and the use of indigenous systems play a critical role in shaping dairy farming households in Western Uganda, where livestock production is deeply embedded in socio-cultural norms and traditional knowledge systems. Within these households, gendered divisions of labor strongly influence access to productive resources, decision-making power, and control over dairy outputs, with men often dominating ownership of cattle and milk sales, while women are primarily responsible for daily animal care, milk handling, processing, and household nutrition. Indigenous dairy management practices such as traditional herd management, milk preservation, sanitation methods, and value-addition techniques including the production of ghee and fermented products are largely maintained and transmitted by women, reflecting their central role in sustaining household food security and livestock health. However, despite their extensive knowledge and labor contributions, women’s participation in formal dairy markets and extension services remains constrained by patriarchal norms, limited access to credit, technologies, and training opportunities. Gender-responsive strategies that recognize and strengthen indigenous knowledge systems, promote equitable access to resources, and enhance women’s decision-making capacity are therefore essential for improving productivity, milk safety, and income generation. Integrating indigenous practices with modern dairy innovations through inclusive policies and targeted interventions can foster sustainable dairy value chains, enhance resilience among smallholder households, and contribute to broader goals of gender equity and rural development in Western Uganda.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Judith I   Nagasha, Head of International Relations and a Lecture at Kyambogo University. Dr Nagasha holds a PhD in Gender and Climate change; a Master’s of Development Management and Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences. In the international relation office, she provides strategic leadership in advancing the university’s internationalization agenda by developing global partnerships, promoting research and grants collaboration, and fostering staff and student mobility. Acting as the university’s global representative, the Head strengthens networks with universities, embassies, and development partners to enhance international visibility and reputation. She teaches in the Department of Development Studies, Dr. Nagasha has been instrumental in integrating research, policy, and practice. She leads the Translating Science into

Policy and Practice Project under the Sida-funded Afrifose2030 Programme at Kyambogo University. Through this initiative, she has empowered young researchers across eight African countries, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Uganda to develop evidence-based policies. As principal collaborator, Dr. Nagasha has led gender- responsive projects such as empowering women’s entrepreneurship among the Batwa Indigenous Community of Uganda, promoting gender-inclusive climate change approaches in livestock farming to improve milk safety and marketing, advancing women’s empowerment in coffee-banana systems in Eastern Uganda, and documenting women’s roles in fisheries value chains along Lake Victoria. She is currently researching climate-induced migration and gender- based livelihood adaptation in refugee host communities in Refugee Settlements in Uganda, while also promoting vocational training to reduce youth unemployment and improve mental health. Dr. Nagasha has published journal articles, authored policy briefs, and presented her research at international conferences and community forums.