Biotechnology the Way to Go, Miss Uganda

A biotechnology residential internship for Miss Uganda, together with nine other regional queens was held at the National Crops Resources Research Institute on March 9-12, 2015. The beauty queens were trained on the basics of modern agricultural biotechnology and science communication. The training was a timely move to engage key opinion leaders, to rally support for passing Uganda's biotechnology and biosafety bill into law. The training, organized by Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC) in partnership with Miss Uganda Foundation, was part of UBIC's strategy to interest young people in agriculture by engaging key groups that can champion this cause.

In her speech, Leah Kalanguka -the reigning Miss Uganda, called on the youth to be more proactive and find out more about the different ways to improve agriculture. "Biotechnology is the way to go; and the proposed Biotechnology and Biosafety law is very important because it will help to regulate what comes in and what is being produced. It's about ensuring the safety of the technology. I highly recommend the proposed law so that farmers and consumers know that what they are consuming is safe" she said. She added that the youths should stop being naïve by simply listening to people that do not know what they are talking about.

The beauty queens were primed on the basics of modern biotechnology tools including DNA analysis, tissue culture, GMO technology, confined field management, and regulatory aspects of GMO research. The queens were also taught on how to communicate science to non-scientists, and participated in several practical sessions in the field and laboratories.

For more information about UBIC activities, please contact the Coordinator- Dr. Barbara Zawedde Mugwanya ubic.nacrri@gmail.com.