Prof. Charles Ssekabembe

Professional expertise: Agronomy/agroforestry

Educational background:

Period / Institution / Qualification
1971-1974 / Mityana S.S / O'level
1975-1976 / Tororo College / A'level
1977-1980 / Makerere University / B.Sc.Agriculture
1980-1983 / Makerere University / M.Sc.Agriculture
1983 / Makerere University / Postgraduate Diploma in Education
1988-1992 / The Ohio State University / Ph.D (Agronomy)

Other Training

Period / Nature of Training
1981 / 3 weeks Cowpea production training course at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria (Obtained certificate of attendance).
1983 / 3 weeks training course on Agroforestry research for development, at ICRAF, Nairobi (Obtained certificate of attendance).
1983/84 / Research Fellow at ICRAF, Nairobi (Specialised in literature review on land-use systems in the tropics and participated in the on-going Drylandagroforestry project for Machakos district in eastern Kenya; Published a report at the end of the fellowship).
1995 / Group training course on Livestock integration in alley farming, at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. October 9-19, 1995 (Obtained certificate of attendance).
1996 / A 6 months UNESCO Fellowship in Warsaw, Poland, which was used to revise my lectures in Ecology (October, 1996-March, 1997).
1998 / Commonwealth scholar at the University of Reading, UK. Used the scholarship to revise my ecology textbook manuscript, in October, 1998-March, 1999.
2002 / Trees for arid lands, workshop and study tour, organised by IPALAC (International program for arid land crops), in Israel, 2-15 November, 2002. Presented a paper, ‘Socio-economic factors influencing tree planting and adoption of agroforestry in the tropics’.
2004 / short course on ‘Agribusiness projects and entrepreneurship training’ at CAEC, 12-22nd July, 2004.
2004 / Short course on ‘Basic principles of decentralisation’ held at Uganda management Institute, 23rd February-27th February, 2004.
  1. Publications

A. Conference Proceedings

Kyamanywa,S. and Ssekabembe,C.K.1986. The relevance of cereal/legume mixed crops in Ugandan agriculture. In: M.K.Magunda and W.E.Fenster (eds.). Proceedings of the 8th Soil Science Society of East Africa. 15-19th December, 1986. Kampala, Uganda. p. 121-130.

Ssekabembe,C.K. and Henderlong,P.R.1991a. Some aspects of competition for environmental resources in alley cropping. In: Peter Williams (ed.). Agroforestry in North America.Proceedings of the first conference on agroforestry in North America. 13-16 August, 1989. University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. p. 56-69.

Ssekabembe,C.K. and Henderlong,P.R.1991b. Below-ground interactions in alley cropping. Appraisal of first-year observations on maize grown in black locust (Robiniapseudoacacia) alleys. In: H.E"Gene" Garrett (ed.). Proceedings of the second conference on agroforestry in North America. 18-21 August, 1991. Springfield, Missouri. p. 58-73.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1994a. Status of, potential for and constraints for agroforestry education at Makerere University.p.17-18. In: Kasolo,W and Rubedjer,P. (eds.). Agroforestry Education in Uganda.Proceedings of the First National Workshop on Agroforestry Education. 25-29, July, 1994. Mukono, Uganda.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1994b. Ficusnatalensis in banana plantations. A review of research needs. In: Proceedings of the 14th Conference of the Soil Science Society of East Africa (SSEA). 21-25 November, 1994. Mbarara. p. 261-267.

Ssebuliba-Mutumba,R., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Adipala,E.1995. Effect of weeds on growth and yields of cowpeas. In: James Onsando (ed.). Proceedings of the 15th biannual conference of the Weed Science Society for East Africa. Sept. 18-21, 1995. Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.pp.126-132.

Ssekabembe,C.K. and Sabiiti,E.N.1997. The potential of joint production of Napier grass and food crops.African crop science Conference Proceedings 3:825-834.

Sebuliba-Mutumba,R., Adipala,E., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Namirembe-Ssonkko,R.1997. Effect of density of Bidenspilosa on the growth and yield of cowpea.African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 3:871-875.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1999a. Effect of number of nodes on cuttings on the establishmnet of Napier grass.African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 4:295-302.

Ssekabembe,C.K. 1999b. Research needs and challenges for sustainable napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) production. In: Tenywa,J.S., Zake,J.Y.K., Ebanyat,P., Semakula,J.T., Nkalubo,S.T. (eds.). Proceedings of the 17th conference of the Soil Science Society of East Africa (SSSEA) 6-10 Sept., 19999. Kampala, Uganda. pp.340-344

Ssekabembe,C.K., Osiru,D.S.O., Ogenga-Latigo,M., Nantongo,S. and Okidi,J.2001. Some aspects of simsim production in northern and eastern Uganda.African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 5:689-697.

Ssekabembe,C.K. and Sabiiti,E.N.2001. Compensation of biomass production in the napier grass + maize mixture during stress periods. African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 5:979-984.

Ssebuliba-Mutumba,R., Ssekabembe,C.K., Namirembe-Ssonkko,R. and Adipala,E.2001. Effects of weeds on growth and yield of cowpea. P.9-10. In: Adipala,E., Nampala,P. and Osiru,M. (eds.). Forum Working Document No. 2. Summary of Forum Research and Development activities at Makerere University.1993-2001.African Crop Science Journal Secretariat, Makerere University/Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Osiru,D.SO., Ogenga-Latigo,M., Anyanga,W., Okidi,J. and Nantongo,S.2002. The simsim project at Makerere University.p.150-153. In: Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5:Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resources Husbandry, 12-16 August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Osiru,D.SO., Nantongo,S. and Okidi,J.2002. Overview of the preliminary findings of the sesame project at Makerere University.p.154-157. In: Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5: Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry, 12-16, August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Bukenya,C. and Nakyagaba,W.2002a. Appraisal of need for research on Nakati (Solanumaethiopicum).p.441-444.In:Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5:Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry, 12-16 August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Bukenya,C. and Nakyagaba,W.2002b. Indigenous knowledge on Nakati (Solanumaethiopicum) production in Uganda. p.60. In: Prota (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa): Information, programme and abstracts. First International Workshop.September, 23-25, 2002. Nairobi, Kenya.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Bukenya,C. and Nakyagaba,W.2002c Contraints to local vegetable production in central Uganda. p. 37-44. In: JS Tenywa, MM Tenywa, MA Bekunda and G. Taulya (eds.). Proceedings of the 20th Conference of the Soil Science Society of East Africa.

Okidi,J., Ogenga-Latigo,M.W. and Ssekabembe,C.K.2002. Influence of spatial arrangement on incidence and damage by major insect pests of sesame in the sesame + finger millet intercrop. p.142-145. In:Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5:Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry, 12-16 August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Okidi,J., Ogenga-Latigo,M.W. and Ssekabembe,C.K.2002. Influence of plant density on pest incidence and damage on local and improved sesame varieties. p.146-149. In:Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5:Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry, 12-16 August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Nantongo,S., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Osiru,D.SO.2002. Response to plant population of local and improved sesame varieties in Uganda.p.135-137.In:Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5:Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry, 12-16 August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Nantongo,S., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Osiru,D.SO.2002. Effect of plant population and spatial row pattern on yield components and yield of sesame + finger millet intercrop.p.7.In:Forum Working Document 5. Forum 5:Programme and extended abstracts. Fifth Regional Meeting of the Forum on Agricultural Resource Husbandry, 12-16 August, 2002. Entebbe, Uganda.

Ssekabembe,C.K, Bukenya,C. and Nakyagaba,W.2003a. Traditional knowledge and practices in local vegetables production in central Uganda. African Crop Science Conference Proceedings 6:14-19.

Egonyu, J.P., Kyamanywa, S. and Ssekabembe, C.K. 2007. Manipulation of time of planting and insecticide application to control the major pests of sesame in Uganda. P.239-241. In: RUFORUM Working Document No.2. RUFORUM 2: Programme and extended abstracts. First Biennial meeting of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 23-27 April 2007, Mangochi, Malawi.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2008.Comparison of research on sesame (Sesamumindicum) and nakati (Solanumaethiopicum) at MakerereUniversity.African Crop Science Conference Proceedings8: 2063-2069.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2009.Effect of spacing and thinning date on the performance of nakati (Solanumaethiopicum).African Crop Science Conference ProceedingsCape Town 2001 Proceedings.

Ssekabembe, C.K. and Odong, T.L (2011.Contributionof women to solving nakati (Solanumaethiopicum) production constraints. African Crop Science Conference Proceedings, Maputo, Mozambique 2011 Proceedings.

B. Reports

Ssekabembe, C.K.1984. ICRAF Research Fellowships.1983/84 Final Report. ICRAF, Mimeo. 19pp.

Agroforrestry Approach to land use.FinalReport.MakerereUniversity.Capacity Building Programme for Decentralization (). July, 2007.

C. Theses

Ssekabembe, C.K.1983. Studies on intercropping sorghum with finger millet with special emphasis on genotype identification and mixture proportion. M.Sc. Thesis. Makerere University.

Ssekabembe, C.K.1992. Interactions at the tree/crop interface in the black locust/maize alley cropping system. Ph.DDissertation.The Ohio State University.173 pp.

D. Books

Ssekabembe, C.K.2003. College Agroforestry.Makerere University Press.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2010. Introduction to Agronomy: Principles and practices. Fountain Publishers.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2011.Cardinal elements of efficient use of nutrients in agroforestry systems.Lambert Academic Publishers.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2011.The tenets of agroforestry. Lambert Academic Publishers

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2011. Mysteries of Crop Yield Unlocked. Effect of cropping systems on yield.Lambert Academic Publishers.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2011.General principles of agronomy.Lambert Academic Publishers.

E. Training manuals

Ssekabembe,C.K.(Editor). 2004a. Agroforestry approach to land use.A training manual for extension agents.A teaching aid for the short course on agroforestry at the Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University.

Ssekabembe,CK.2004b. Agroforestry illustrated. A teaching aid for the short course on agroforestry at the Faculty of Agriculture, Makerere University.

F. Books in Preparation

1. Food security: Issues and solutions

2. Factors that determine potential crop yield

3. Factors that influence or limit farmers’ crop yields

G. Publications in Refereed International Journals

Ssekabembe,C.K.1985a. Perspectives on hedgerow intercropping.Agroforestry systems 3(4):339-356.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1985b. Cowpea as a mixed crop. Trop Grain Legume Bulletin 30:2-8. Internationa Grain Legume Information Centre 1985. Ibadan, Nigeria.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1986. The importance of differences in maturity periods and stature in the sorghum/finger millet intercrops. Tropical Agriculture 63(4):289-292.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1991. Effect of row arrangement on yield and yield advantages in the sorghum/finger millet intercrops.Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) 68(1):19-22.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1992a. Leuceanaleucocephala as a multipurpose tree in crop/livestock production systems in Uganda.Nomadic peoples 31:119-122.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Henderlong,P.R. and Larson,M.1995. Soil moisture relations at the tree/crop interface in black locust alleys. Agroforestry systems 25:135-140.

Adipala,E., Okoboi,C.A., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Ogenga-Latigo,M.W.1995. Foliar diseases and yield of finger millet (Eleusinecoracana) (L.) under monocropping and intercropping systems.Discovery and Innovations 6:301-305.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1996. A note on soil moisture conservation by microcatchments around fodder trees in a semi arid area. Nomadic Peoples 39:170-175.

Ssekabembe,C.K., Henderlong,P.R. and Larson,M.1997, Effect of hedgerow orientation on maize light interception and yield in black locust alleys. International Tree crops Journal 9:109-118.

Ssekabembe,C.K.1998. Effect of planting method on establishment of Napier grass varieties.African crop science journal 6(4):407-415.

Ebwongu,M., Adipala,E., Ssekabembe,C.K., Kyamanywa,S. and Bhagsari,A.S.2000a. Effect of intercropping maize and Solanumpotato on yields of the component crops in Central Uganda. African Crop Science Journal 9:83-96.

Ebwongu,M., Adipala,E., Kyamanywa,S., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Bhagsari,A.S.2000b. Influence of spatial arrangements in the maize/Solanumpotato intercrops on incidence of potato aphids and leafhoppers in Uganda. African Crop Science Journal 9:178-184.

Ssekabembe, C.K.2002. Establishment of napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) using different stem parts. Tropical Agriculture 79 (1):1-6.

Ssekabembe, C.K. and Sabiiti,E.N.2003. The potential of intercropping napier grass with maize during the establishment phase of napier grass. MUARIK Bulletin 5:16-26.

Niringiye,C.S., Ssekabembe,C.K. and Kyamanywa,S.2005. Effect of plant population on yield of maize and climbing beans grown in an intercropping system.African Crop Science Journal 13:83-93.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2006.The tenets of agroforestry.An outline of the salient features of agroforestry.Makerere University, ANAFE/ICRAF/SIDA.(on CD).

Ssekabembe,C.K, Okidi,J, Ogenga-Latigo,M.W. and Nabasirye,M.2006. Occurrence and species range of insect pests of simsim in northern and eastern Uganda. Makerere University Research Journal 1:25-35.

Okidi, J., Ogenga-Latigo, M.W. and Ssekabembe, C.K. 2007.Effect of plant population on pest incidence and damage on improved sesame varieties and mixed landraces.Makerere University Research Journal 2:1-12.

Ssekabembe, C.K and Odong, T.L. 2008. Division of labour in Nakati (Solanumaethiopicum) production in central Uganda.African Journal of Agricultural Research 3(6):400-406.

Ssekabembe, C.K. 2008.Effect of proportion of component species on the performance of the nakati (Solanumaethiopicum) + ebugga (Amaranthuslividus) mixture.African Journal of Agricultural Research 3(7):510-519.

  1. Others
  1. Research Fields

Duration / Research area / Funding / Status
1980-1983 / Intercropping, sorghum+ Millet / IDRC / Completed
1990s / Napier grass agronomy / IFS / Completed
20001-2002 / Setaria grass agronomy / IFS / Completed
2000-2006 / Sesame+Finger millet intercropping / Rockefeller, RUFORUM / Completed
2004-2007 / Nakati agronomy / Sida/Sarec / Completed
2006 / Nakati Gender issues / Gender Mainstreaming program / Completed
2007-2009 / Nakati Intercropping / Sida/sarec / Completed
2012- / Maize + leafy vegetables intercropping / RUFORUM / Proposal reviewed
  1. Employment

Duration / Responsibilities
1980-1983 / Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Crop Science, Makerere University (Worked asdemonstrator in Botany and plant physiology practicals, and taught the ecology course unit)
1988 / Part-time Lecturer at ITEK (Taught botany and ecology to the teacher-students)
1986-1997 / Lecturer, Dept. Crop Science, Makerere University. (Responsible for teaching Agronomy 1-Principles of agronomy, Agronomy II- annual crops, Agroforestry and Ecology course units-for undergdraduates; and Agronomy/crop production for post graduates
1997/98 / Visiting lecturer at the National University of Rwanda, at Butare. Taught principles of agronomy and annual crops
1997-2004 / Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Crop Science, Makerere University
2004 (August) / Promoted to rank of Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, MUK

2011- Professor of Agronomy, University of Swaziland

c. Conferences Attended

1. Local

1993 / IstAfrican Crop Science conference in Kampala, Uganda
1994 / The AFRENA, Eastern and central Africa regional annual meeting, in Kabale in September, 1994
1995 / Annual meeting of the Soil science society of East Africa, in Mbarara, in November 1995, and presented a paper.
2000 / The 5th triennial congress of the African potato association, in Kampala, Uganda
2002 / The ‘Policies for improved land management in Uganda: second national workshop. April 17-18, 2002. Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda
2002 / The 20th annual conference of the soil science society of East Africa, 2-6 December, 2002. Mt. Elgon Hotel, Mbale. Presented a paper, ’Constraints to local vegetable production in central Uganda’
2005 / The 7th All Africa Crop Science Conference, held in December at Imperial Resort Beach, Entebbe, Uganda, and Co-authored a paper

2. International

1997 / The 3rd African Crop Science Society conference in Pretoria, South Africa; presented a paper.
1999 / The 4th African Crop Science conference in Casablanca, Morocco; presented a paper.
2001 / The 5th African Crop Science Conference in Lagos, Nigeria; Presented 2 papers.
2003 / The 6th African Crop Science Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Presented a paper.
2007 / The 8th All Africa Crop Science Society Conference, held at Eli Minia University, Egypt, and presented a paper.
2007 / First Biennial meeting of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 23-27 April 2007, Mangochi, Malawi.
2009 / Ninth All Africa Crop Science Conference, 28th September -2nd October, 2009, Cape Town, South Africa.
2011 / Tenth All Africa Crop Science Conference, 10-14 October, 2011, Maputo, Mozambique.

Service to Community

  1. 1995: Resource person during the agroforestry training course for AFRENA field technicians, 13-17, March, 1995.
  2. 1997/98: Lectured two agronomy courses to agriculture students at the National University of Rwanda when there was shortage of staff after the war.
  3. 1994- Operates a farm near the University Farm, Kabanyolo which serves as a study site for Agroforestry course unit. Farm used as a study site for my agroforestry short courses to Extension agents in Uganda.
  4. In 2004, I conducted two short courses in ‘agroforestry approach to land use’ for Extension agents throughout Uganda, funded by

Membership of Professional organizations

  1. Uganda Pasture Network (UPANE)
  2. Sigma, Gamma, Delta Honorary Society
  3. African Crop Science Society
  4. Soil science society of East Africa
  5. ASUPA (Association of Uganda Professional Agriculturalists).