The African Centre of Excellence in Agro-ecology and Livelihood Systems (ACALISE), is one of the twenty-four World Bank Centers of Excellence in the ACE II Project. The main objective of ACALISE is to streamline the production of high level, well-motivated and ethically conscious critical mass of Agro-ecology and Livelihood systems experts. It is funded by the World Bank through the Government of Uganda as a regional centre of excellence to collaborate quality postgraduate education as well as applied research to address key development challenges facing the East and Southern Africa and beyond. Uganda Martyrs University, the World Bank Group and the Inter-University Council for East Africa are jointly responsible for overseeing the activities of ACALISE.

ACALISE is hosted by Uganda Martyrs University in the Faculty of Agriculture. Uganda Martyrs University is a leader in Agro-ecological solutions related to climate change and livelihood systems and has trained top-notch Agro-ecologists on the African continent and beyond through its top-rated programmes in Organic Agriculture and Agro-ecology. ACALISE integrates Ecology into a holistic Agricultural approach with direct benefits to livelihoods in East and Central Africa. It is premised upon a system thinking approach. ACALISE applies a system thinking approach in training Agro-ecology and food systems experts who will work with other stakeholders along the value chains to bring about better livelihoods.

Africa in general and East Africa, in particular, is faced with problems of low production and productivity, little or no value addition to the few products but also lack of ethical values in management of a business. These overarching problems have of late been compounded by effects of climate change, all of which have made peoples’ livelihoods a dilemma. It is no doubt therefore that Agricultural research and technology development, which is a component of the agricultural production and productivity enhancement intervention, is fundamental for enhanced agricultural sector growth and performance.

To generate high returns of investment, each link in the production and value chains of agricultural enterprises needs to be accompanied by effective agricultural research and technology generation programs. Well-designed innovation systems with a component of a climate-smart initiative like Agro-ecology and endowed with ethical values will help to generate the desired shift from the present poverty cycle to better livelihoods. This will eventually bring in the aspect of sustainability that has been glaringly lacking in African/small-Scale Enterprises.