By Mulengera Reporters
Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi has given a unique award to the GROW Project national coordinator Dr. Aisha Ruth Kasolo (who also heads the skills development facility at PSFU) in recognition of her role as a practical skilling champion, mentor and source of inspiration for many young scholars across Uganda and beyond.
A PhD holder, Dr. Kasolo used her platform at Private Sector Foundation Uganda, her substantive employer, to support the practical skills deepening program at Nkozi University. Through the PSFU-spearheaded Skills Development Facility (SDF) 3, Dr. Kasolo instigated high-end innovations at UMU, something the Catholic Church-owned University top management says qualified her to be recognized.
The high-end innovations which Dr. Kasolo instigated and enabled were implemented through UMU’s Faculty of Agriculture where the domestication, raring and value addition of the Black Soldier Fly larvae program was succesfully undertaken. Grateful for this partnership, the University not very long-ago invited Dr. Kasolo, a PhD holder, to serve as a key note speaker at one of their commencement lectures. Even on the eve of the University’s 18th October 2025 graduation ceremony, she was invited for a speaking engagement at the main campus at Nkozi. This shows there has been growing collaboration between the University and the skilling maestro.
One of the research undertakings that was supported at the UMU’s Faculty of Agriculture culminated into the scientific discovery of the fact that the larvae from BSFL has potential to become an alternative source of protein volumes higher than can be derived from silverfish.
“She [Dr. Aisha] was awarded for her outstanding contribution to youth innovations and also for demonstrating strong leadership in the commercialization of research from higher institutions of learning,” partly explained the official statement from the University. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
