Dr. Irit Katz :
Co-Principal Investigator

Irit Katz is CHART-CR Co-PI. She is Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Christ's College. Her work focuses on built environments shaped in extreme conditions, including spaces of displacement, conflict, and environmental changes. Her research incorporates spatial ethnography, participatory methods, and a strong engagement with cultural and political theories. It has won numerous recognitions, including the Mellon/SAH Author Award, the RIBA President’s Award for Research and the John Urry Mobilities Prize. Her latest publications include The Common Camp: Architecture of Power and Resistance in Israel-Palestine (University of Minnesota Press, 2022).

Dr. Gabriel Karubanga (PhD):
Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Karubanga Gabriel is CHART-CR Co-PI. He holds a PhD in Agricultural and Rural Innovation from Makerere University, Uganda. He is a Lecturer at the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Makerere University. His work focuses on participatory and ICT-led extension and learning approaches in agricultural and environmental education. His research interests include agricultural innovation systems, food security, agricultural extension and education, and communication for development, climate change, water and sanitation and knowledge management and communication.

Dr. Narisi Mubangizi:
Team Member

Dr. Narisi Mubangizi is a Lecturer in the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Makerere University, Uganda. He holds a First Class BSc in Agriculture, an MSc in Agricultural Extension/Education, and a PhD in Agricultural and Rural Innovations, all from Makerere University.
With over 20 years of professional experience, he is a rural livelihoods specialist and researcher with expertise in participatory rural development, learning facilitation, and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students. His work covers participatory design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of multi-stakeholder livelihood programs in resource-poor communities. His research focuses on agricultural extension service delivery, livelihood resilience to climatic shocks, and inclusive apicultural development. He has coordinated national trainings for extension workers and apiary masters, supervised several PhD and Master’s students, and published widely. On CHART-CR project, he was a lead facilitator on climate change theme.

Mr. Mafumo Frank :
Team member

Mr. Mafumo Frank is an agriculture and rural development expert with over 15 years of experience in climate change adaptation, food security, and sustainable livelihoods. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Agricultural and Rural Innovation at Makerere University and holds a Master’s in Rural Development and a Bachelor’s in Development Studies. Frank has led and contributed to research and development initiatives across Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda, including livelihoods and Shea nut value-chain studies. He previously served as Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at E360, overseeing the Community Suppliers Baseline Assessment project funded by BP TotalEnergies. Frank coordinates the Communities of Hosts and Refugees Transitioning to Climate Resilience (CHART-CR) Project implemented by the University of Cambridge and Makerere University. He also serves as Head of Agriculture and Food Security at Logel Science Foundation, leading programs on sustainable agriculture, food security, and ICT-enabled agricultural transformation.

Ms.Akankunda Oliver:
Team member

Akankunda Oliver is an Associate Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (CPAU) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Uganda Martyrs University. She currently serves as Accounts/Administration Manager at Mugoya & Associates Certified Public Accountants, Uganda. Oliver has extensive experience preparing financial statements for international development agencies, NGOs, SACCOs, schools, CBOs, and not-for-profit organizations. She also brings strong expertise in summarizing, classifying, and analyzing financial information gained through work with several audit firms and consultancies.

Within the CHART-CR Project, she serves as the Finance and Accounts Officer, responsible for recording, tracking, and accounting for all project expenditures, processing payments, and preparing financial reports. Her engagement with partners such as Mastercard Foundation, the University of Cambridge, and Makerere University has strengthened her exposure to international systems and community-focused development work.

Mr. Lwanga Herbert:
Team Member

Mr. Lwanga Herbert is an Electrical and Electronics Engineer with a Master’s degree in Innovation and Technology Policy and over ten years of experience applying engineering, IT, and innovation to address locally relevant development challenges. Within the CHART-CR Project, he contributes expertise on leveraging ICTs and emerging technologies to tackle food security, climate change, and water and sanitation challenges. He is the Director of Research and Development at Logel Science Foundation, Uganda, where he leads efforts to translate technological and IT-enabled research into practical, scalable solutions. His work is guided by strong humanitarian values and a commitment to using technology to improve lives and strengthen community resilience. He has also served as Global Chair of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB), promoting responsive, ethical, and sustainable humanitarian technology initiatives worldwide.

Fred Karungi:
Team Member

Fred is a development practitioner with over 10 years of experience in managing and evaluating social development programs in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities across Uganda. Her work focuses on gender and disability inclusion, child protection, education, livelihoods, and economic empowerment. She currently serves as a Social Development Officer and Sponsorship Coordinator at Mercy Child Care Ministry, implementing community economic empowerment, VSLA, child rights, positive parenting, and financial literacy programs. Previously, she worked for seven years as a Field Officer at Children at Risk Action Network (CRANE) under the Girls’ Education Challenge Project. He has strong expertise in resource mobilization, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and is a certified trainer in entrepreneurship, savings groups, income-generating activities, and child protection. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies from Makerere University and multiple professional certifications in ICT, first aid, proposal writing, fundraising, and SME mentoring

Mr. Yekosan Mitala :
Team member

Mitala holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Extension Education from Makerere University. During his master’s studies, he researched agricultural practices among refugees in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, examining how agriculture supports livelihoods under conditions of displacement. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Agriculture at Makerere University, focusing on farming systems and livelihood transformations in the Albertine region following the discovery of oil. He is a team member on the CHART-CR project, and he supported research activities through systematic note-taking, data recording, and documentation during field engagements.

Mr. Geoffrey Kasujja:
Team Member

Geoffrey Kasujja is a Technician in the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies at Makerere University. He has provided technical and logistical support to teaching, research, and outreach activities within the department. Mr. Kasujja is a team member on the CHART-CR project, where he played a key role as a photographer and videographer, documenting field activities, community engagements, and project outcomes. His work contributed to effective visual communication, knowledge sharing, and reporting, ensuring that project processes and impacts are accurately captured and disseminated to diverse stakeholders.

Mr. Ayikobua Ferdinant :
Team Member

Ayikobua Ferdinant is an IT professional and social entrepreneur leveraging technology and education to improve livelihoods in underserved and displacement-affected communities. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and is a certified Anzisha Master Teacher.

He serves as ICT Personnel at CIYOTA and founded Ayfed Technologies and Umoja Creatives Hub, promoting digital skills and inclusive innovation. He also supported the CHART-CR Project in community engagement and mobilization.