FORT PORTAL, Uganda — Mountains of the Moon University has been recognized as the second-best performing institution at the national level during the recently concluded 16th Higher Education Exhibition, organized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Held from 26th to 28th March 2025 at the Gulu University Graduation Grounds in Gulu City. This marks the third regional Higher Education Exhibition, following previous editions hosted in Mbale City and Mbarara City. The exhibition serves as a premier platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and public engagement within Uganda’s higher education sector.
Recognized as a premier event in Uganda’s higher education calendar, the exhibition provides a one-stop platform for engagement among accredited universities, policymakers, industry players, and the general public, while showcasing cutting-edge institutional innovations.
Showcasing Innovation: The Agri Chain Rover (ACR-003)
A key highlight of the University’s participation was the Agri Chain Autonomous Agricultural Rover (ACR-003), a student-led innovation designed to transform agriculture through artificial intelligence.
The ACR-003 is an AI-powered, autonomous agricultural robot that collects real-time data on soil health, crop conditions, and environmental factors. Equipped with advanced technologies including RTK GPS navigation, a 7-in-1 soil sensor, AI-powered disease detection, and cloud connectivity, the rover delivers actionable insights directly to farmers via a mobile application in local languages.
With over 70% of Ugandans dependent on agriculture—yet facing low yields, limited access to extension services, and minimal use of precision farming tools—the innovation responds directly to a critical national need.
The Agri Chain Rover enables:
Early detection of crop diseases before visible symptoms appear, Real-time soil and environmental analysis, Affordable, cooperative-based access to precision agriculture tools
The innovation has the potential to significantly boost farmer productivity and incomes. Precision nutrient management alone could increase farmer earnings by UGX 800,000 to UGX 1.5 million per hectare annually, while early disease detection may reduce crop losses by up to 30%.
At scale, the deployment of such technology could unlock UGX 10–20 billion in additional agricultural output annually, reinforcing agriculture as a driver of Uganda’s economic transformation.
Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga, Vice Chancellor of Mountains of the Moon University, stated:
“This recognition, though a regression, since MMU emerged overall winner during the 15th edition in 2025, it still demonstrates our aspiration at the national level, the commitment to continue pursuing the ethos of applied research, and transformative innovation, for societal impact. The Agri Chain Rover exemplifies how African-led solutions, grounded in science and technology, can address our most pressing challenges. As a university, we are proud to champion innovations that empower smallholder farmers and contribute to sustainable development in Uganda and beyond.”
This recognition further solidifies Mountains of the Moon University’s position as a hub for innovation, research excellence, and practical solutions aligned with national development priorities.
The University remains committed to advancing science, technology, and innovation that directly responds to community needs, particularly in agriculture—Uganda’s backbone sector.
