Victoria Kiboneka

Prof. Dr. Julius Kiiza, Ma­ke­re­re Uni­ver­si­ty

Prof. Dr. Christian Herzig, Justus Liebig University Giessen

Ideology for food security? The Contest between Genetically Modified (GM) crops and Organic Farming as pathways to food security in Uganda.

The purpose of this research work is to study ideology for food security seeking to interrogate the contest between organic farming and GMOs as avenues of food security in 21st century. In Uganda today, the big debate on the ideology for food security has been narrowed down to a verbal contest between those who support Genetically Modified foods versus those who support organic farming methods. On one side there are those who urge the widespread adoption of gene technology such as those that accounted for dramatic increases in agricultural productivity in Asia and Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s. GM crops in general embrace any technology-based innovation to improve farming yields, including gene modification, reduction in the use of pest control chemicals and fertilizers. On the other hand, are those who are bitter contest to GM technology.  They advocate more nature-based approaches on the issues of soil fertility and pest management. Organic farming requires farmer-saved seed as predominantly used in Uganda today.  Advocates for this approach contest and believe that GMO technology is not only inappropriate for Uganda, but has the potential to do more harm than good.

The research will be conducted using a cross-sectional survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data. This research design will enable the researcher have a comparative analysis to on farmers attitudes to and perceptions of genetically modified and organic foods as avenues to food security in Uganda, how ideological perceptions on GMO’s affect sustainable food security in Uganda, an analysis of how ideological norms account for continued societal faith in organic farming in Uganda and the political drivers that determine GMO’s acceptance or rejection in Uganda.  This analysis of study results will summarize major risks and potentials that apply to both farming approaches in Uganda and provide a baseline for decision making for food security.

• 2010: Bachelor of Office and Information Management, Makerere University, Uganda, majoring in Corporate Database management
• 2021: Masters in Public Administration and Management, Makerere University, Uganda.

• November 2015 – Date: Program Assistant for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
• 2015 – 2019: Training Assistant (Part – time)  – United States Peace Corps, Kampala,  Uganda.
• 2011 – 2015: Administrative Assistant for Uganda Society For Health Scientists, Mulago-Kampala, Uganda

• Award for excellent performance (Advanced level studies 2006)  Gayaza High School
• Bachelors degree State Sponsorship at Makerere University (2006-2009) 

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