Makerere University Botanical Garden

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Uganda - Kampala

Institution Code: MHU

BGCI Member: No

About the Makerere University Botanical Garden

The Makerere University Herbarium was established in 1945 under the management of the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science. It is one of the most important sections used in botanical research, training in taxonomy and reference for many local and international researchers and research institutions. It houses about 40,000 collections (including ca. 120 type specimens) of plants from Uganda and other countries. About five years ago, the herbarium was entrusted with collections from the National Forestry Authority (formerly called the Forest Department) and they are been incorporated into the main collection. It serves the students’ community, staff and researchers from all over the world in botanical research, determination of plant species, training and ethnobotanical research. Members of staff have also been involved in various projects involving botanical research with several institutions.


Within Makerere University, the Herbarium serves both staff and students in the following faculties: Faculty of Science (i.e. Botany, Zoology & Biochemistry); Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources; Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation; Faculty of Arts (i.e. Department of Geography; Tourism and Environmental management); Faculty of Technology (Department of Architecture); The School of Medicine (Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics) and the School of Fine Art. At the national level, the herbarium is consulted and works closely with several government institutions including Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda National Council of Science and Technology, National Forestry Authority, Wetlands Inspection Division, National Environment Management Authority, National Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory (Ministry of Health), THETA, NARO, Ministry of Lands and Environment. Other institutions that are always consulting the herbarium include Mbarara University Science and Technology, Ndejje University and Kyambogo University. The herbarium has had a close working relationship with the East African Herbarium (Kenya), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (England) and the Missouri Botanic Gardens (USA) in the form of training and exchange of plant taxonomic expertise.

Main Address:
Makerere University Botanical Garden
Botany Department, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, KAMPALA, Uganda.
Kampala
Uganda

Telephone:
Fax:
URL:
Primary Email:

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Head of Botany Department - Dr. Arthur Tugume. Senior in charge of Herbarium & BG - Dr. James Kalema
    Curator's Name: Dr. Paul Ssegawa
    Plant Records Officer's Name: Dr. Paul Ssegawa
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 4
    Educational Staff Number:
    Research Staff Number: 3
    Administration Staff Number: 2

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Status
  • Status: Educational: Yes
  • Date founded: 1945
  • Physical Data
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 1 Hectares
  • Total Area: 1 Hectares
    Latitude: 0.3376
    Longitude: 32.5772
    Annual Rainfall: 1200 mm
    Altitude: 1100.00 Metres
  • Locality: Information
  • Locality: Garden Name: Makerere University Botanical Garden
  • Local Address: College of natural Sciences Department of Biological Sciences Botany Section P.O. Box 7062 Kampala
  • Locality: City: Kampala
  • Locality: State:

Features and Facilities

  • Herbarium: Yes
    Herbarium: Number of Specimens: 40000
    Arboretum: No
  • Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Number of Volunteers: 2

Plant Collections

  • Special Collections:Orchids, decorative indoor plants, native plants.
  • Plant Collection Policy: No

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: Yes
    Medicinal Plant Programme: Yes
    Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes

Research Programmes

  • Conservation - Biology: Yes
    Data Management Systems and Information Technology: Yes
    Ecology: Yes
    Ecosystem Conservation: Yes
    Education: Yes
    Ethnobotany: Yes
    Invasive Species Biology and Control: Yes
    Restoration Ecology: Yes
    Systematics and Taxonomy: Yes
    Pharmacology: Yes

Education Programmes

  • Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Courses for University/College Students: Yes