On Thursday, July 28, 2023, a significant meeting took place between the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Waako, alongside the Top Management of Busitema University and a team of technical staff from the Maritime Institute. The purpose of their visit was to explore the potential of collaborating with the Fisheries Training Institute (FTI) in Entebbe, specifically in team-teaching maritime courses. During the visit, Prof. Paul Waako observed that Uganda is a country abundant with valuable resources. However, he pointed out that these resources are scattered across the nation in isolated pockets, with little awareness of their full extent. He emphasized that if these resources were effectively synchronized and utilized, Uganda could achieve remarkable progress in various sectors.

Prof. Waako stressed the importance of forging partnerships to enhance education delivery, envisioning a 'community of learning' at FTI. He highlighted the growing demand for water transport and the subsequent need to develop human capacity in this field. Safety concerns and the increasing number of water vessels further underscored the urgency of building expertise in this area.

In response, Mr. Ofwono Willy Osinde, the Principal of FTI, extended a warm welcome to the Busitema Team and concurred with Prof. Waako's observations. He acknowledged that the Institute lacked the necessary capacity, particularly in constructing better, safer, and commercially viable boats, as well as in commercial fish farming. To address these gaps, Mr. Osinde informed the visitors about FTI's ongoing project to establish a water rescue facility, which would benefit both FTI and Busitema students. Additionally, he expressed his willingness to leverage the expertise available at Busitema University to enhance the staff capacity at FTI.

After fruitful discussions, the team reached a mutual agreement to solidify their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will pave the way for a strong partnership between Busitema University and the Fisheries Training Institute, fostering knowledge exchange, skill development, and collective efforts to unlock the full potential of Uganda's maritime resources. The envisioned 'community of learning' will not only address the country's pressing needs in water transport and maritime management but also facilitate holistic development across various sectors, ultimately contributing to Uganda's growth and prosperity.