Draft:Clet Wandui Masiga

Clet Wandui Masiga (born 1975) is a Uganda Scientist, Executive Director of Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI). and an Entrepreneur in Sericulture and Silk Industry and is a Farm Entrepreneur. He was previously working as a writer, teacher, lecturer, an extension officer and on several research, consultancy, and development projects in natural resources agriculture, environment and natural resources.He has worked in 18 countries in managing and supervising projects related to natural resources, environment, agriculture and rural development. Before joining TRIDI, he was assisting Agrobiodiversity and Biotechnology Programme (AGROBIO) at the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) to enhance utilisation of agro-biodiversity and biotechnology research and development innovations in eastern and central Africa’s agricultural systems.

Background and education
Clet Wandui Masiga was born in Lusha Sub county, Bulambuli District in Eastern Uganda. His father was Cyprian Sabunyo and Mother is Patrova Nandudu. He is from Bunamahe Clan of Bamwambu Clan of Bagisu People found in Uganda and Kenya. He studied in three primary schools: Bumwambu Primary School, Goozi Primary School and Tunyi Boarding Primary School all in Bulambuli District.

After Primary, Masiga entered Bukedi College, Kachonga where he completed his O-levelstudies. He was then adminyrted to Masaba Senior Secondary School for A-level and he later transfered to Mbale Senior Secondary School for his A-level education. At A-level he studied Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Fine Art. He was admitted to Makerere University, Uganda's oldest and largest public university, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.

Later he joined University of Birmingham, where he graduated with Masters in Conservation Biology and Genetics. He later joined Sudanese Academy of Sciences for PhD in Genetics and Biotechnology.

Work history
Masiga is a Conservation Geneticist, breeder , biotechnologist , Farm entreprenuer and Science, technology, Innovation and next generation management practice leader.

Masiga is the Executive Director and the Director for access and utilization of Farm Technologies and Innovations, Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI). He is also the Principal Investigator, Commercialisation of Sericulture and Apiculture Technologies and Innovations in Uganda. From September 2009 to September 2014 he worked for Agrobiodiversity and Biotechnology Programme, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA). He was a lecturer of Basic Genetics in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Uganda Christian University.

Masiga also worked as a Horticultural Geneticist and Breeder, National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI). He also worked at the Millennium seed bank project in partnership with University of Birmingham and in Understanding the methodologies for conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. From Jan 2007 to Sept 2008 he worked on determining correlated traits for evaluation of crops for stress tolerance and resistance and Collation of data for gene pool Concept of Cultivated Crops.

In 2006, Masiga worked as Rice consultant for Action against Hunger in South Sudan. His other work experience include Principal Contract Vegetable seed Grower/Field consultant For Victoria Seed Ltd, Principal consultant for AGRUDAS LTD, Consultant, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project on poverty eradication through rice production in Uganda. Implemented 17 Contracts under NAADS participating local government in Uganda. Also worked for SASAK AWA GLOBAL 2000 (SG2000) as a consultant on farmer institutions to enhance uptake of technologies for SG2000 in crop production demonstrations, on-farm post harvest demonstrations, agro-processing enterprise development, input dealer development, private seed enterprise development, draft power, and farmer’ association development.

Masiga also worked as Agroforestry Dissemination officer, Forestry Resources Research Institute, FORRI/NARO to develop and pilot implementation of an action plan for agro forestry research and dissemination of research out puts. He also worked as extension officer for ONFARM-EAT Project of Winrock International Institute for Agriculturak development in evaluation and phase out activities for the ONFARM-EAT project focusing on agriculture, forestry and natural resource management, leadership and human resource development and renewable energy.

Masiga also worked as research assistant for investigating the activities of local community in Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda under a research project for Oregon State University, College of Forestry, Corvellis. He also worked as an interviewer and data entry for worl women banking in a study to understand understand low-income women entrepreneur’s opinions of the products and services offered to them by micro-finance institutions (MFIs) in order to help the MFIs improve the quality and type of services they offer in Uganda.

Masiga is also an advocate of Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and next generation farm technologies and the founder and moderator of an online debate and mailing system on biotechnology. He uses several platforms to create awareness and capacity for African communities and legislators to adopt biosafety legislations.

Masiga is also an interlocutor in this effort to coordinate between the international research community, local African research institutions and individual smallholder communities

Masiga's genetics background has also enbaled him to work with the worlds best geneticists and breeders in livestock genomics and he is a member of interenational Goat Genomices Consontium and have co-authored a number of publications with them research team.