MAKERERE— In a small laboratory tucked inside Makerere University, a group of eleven determined students is preparing to take on the world’s toughest challenges—malnutrition and climate change—with nothing but science, ambition, and an unshakable belief in the power of innovation. These young Ugandan pioneers are gearing up to represent East Africa at the prestigious International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, set for October 28–31, 2025, in Paris, France.
Their project is as bold as it is visionary: to genetically engineer bacteria that can produce large quantities of tryptophan—an essential amino acid crucial for growth and immune function—by harnessing carbon as an energy source without releasing it into the atmosphere. In essence, they aim to create a sustainable protein supplement that could combat malnutrition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all through the elegant precision of synthetic biology.
Since its founding at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003, iGEM has become the world’s foremost stage for student-led innovation in synthetic biology. Now held annually in Paris, the competition invites teams from around the globe to engineer biology for the betterment of humanity. More than 80,000 students from over 65 countries have participated, forming a diverse network of young scientists committed to real-world impact.
Makerere University’s iGEM journey began in 2017 when visionary student Otim Geoffrey ignited East Africa’s interest in synthetic biology by founding SynBio Africa. The university has since become a hub for bioscience ingenuity, consistently fielding teams that reflect both scientific excellence and social purpose.
This year’s team is a cross-section of the university’s intellectual talent and social conscience. Six members study Biomedical Laboratory Technology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (COVAB). Two come from the College of Natural Sciences, studying biotechnology, while the College of Health Sciences contributes a medical student and a biomedical sciences student. Completing the team is a future educator from the College of Education and External Studies. The diversity of disciplines mirrors the complexity of the problem they are tackling—and the creativity it demands.
Their chosen solution—tryptophan-producing bacteria—is rooted in urgent realities. According to the Global Report on Food Crises 2025, child malnutrition and acute food insecurity have risen for six consecutive years. UNICEF reports that over 295 million people across 53 countries faced acute hunger in 2024, with catastrophic levels of food deprivation hitting a record high. Uganda is no exception.
Tryptophan is vital but often lacking in diets based on staple crops like maize and cassava. Without it, physical and cognitive development is stunted, immune systems falter, and communities suffer. The team’s innovation could lead to low-cost, easily accessible supplements that dramatically improve health outcomes in undernourished populations. At the same time, their method of carbon capture—using carbon as an energy source in a closed biological loop—adds a climate-resilient dimension to their work.
Dr. Michael S. Mbogga, a lecturer at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, serves as the team’s principal investigator. An expert in climate change, Dr. Mbogga ensures the project stays grounded in environmental sustainability while pushing the boundaries of applied science.
Mentorship has also been pivotal. The students are guided by some of the continent’s brightest minds in synthetic biology. Among them is Kato Ssebunya Emmanuel, the 2023 iGEM Ambassador for Africa and founder of Synbio4ALL, an initiative focused on making synthetic biology accessible across Africa. Current iGEM Africa Ambassador Shakirah Namuli and molecular biologist David Nalumenya from COVAB’s Center for Biosecurity and Global Health also provide expert input. Together, they form a support system that empowers the students to dream big—and deliver.
Despite the momentum, the road to Paris remains steep. The team has successfully secured registration funding through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF), a major milestone that affirms institutional support. But significant costs remain, particularly for lab experiments, supplies, and travel.
The students are actively raising funds, appealing to local and international donors and well-wishers. Their campaign is more than a financial plea—it’s a rallying cry for investment in African innovation, in solutions born from necessity and powered by hope.
One of their strongest champions is Professor Frank N. Mwiine, Principal of COVAB. Known for his advocacy of student research, Professor Mwiine has offered both strategic guidance and moral support to help the team navigate financial hurdles. His involvement underscores Makerere’s broader commitment to cultivating homegrown science that speaks to global challenges.
What makes this story compelling is not just the science, but the heart behind it. These students are not merely trying to win a trophy in Paris; they are confronting two of humanity’s greatest threats with compassion, intelligence, and courage. They are proving that world-changing ideas can grow in Kampala classrooms and that tomorrow’s breakthroughs are being born in African labs today.
In their journey, they are also rewriting the narrative about African participation in global science. They are not just contributors—they are leaders, and their presence on the iGEM stage affirms that East Africa is ready to shape the future of biology.
As the countdown to Paris continues, the Makerere iGEM team remains focused, hopeful, and determined. In their hands, bacteria are more than microbes—they are tools for justice, health, and environmental renewal. Their story is still being written, but its message is already loud and clear: innovation knows no borders, and neither does the desire to change the world.
