News

This past spring, Shelby Jamieson (Class of ‘16) was proudly selected as Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture’s first Queen Elizabeth Scholar. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program, supported by the Community Foundations of Canada, offers global experiences for students that will benefit them throughout their careers. Through the program, Shelby has spent the past three months in Uganda completing an internship with The Southern and Eastern African Trade, Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI). As she nears completion of her internship, she was able to provide an update of her experience so far:

“SEATINI is a regional Non-Governmental Organisation and I have been working at the Regional Office in Kampala-Uganda for three months now. The main purpose of SEATINI is to raise awareness of issues in trade and investment with key stakeholders, including farmer groups, to better manage the process of globalisation for sustainable development and improved livelihoods. I will continue to work with SEATINI-Uganda until August 21^st, where from there I will do some travelling in Tanzania before coming home at the end of August.

From grassroots to national level, my internship with SEATINI has strengthened my capacity around topics of food security and agri-policy issues in Uganda, including issues of trade liberalisation and development throughout the East African Communities. I have also been learning a lot about the many challenges and opportunities faced by small scale farmers in agricultural production at each stage of the value chain. Some of the challenges addressed include farmer’s dependence on climate change for increased production – especially the rain season – and inadequate access to markets, where farmers are largely isolated from the consumer, and from the demands and preferences of traders, processor and consumers both at national and in the export markets.

My experience in Uganda has been fruitful and enriching. My favourite experience so far was participating in a Ugandan traditional wedding introduction ceremony (also called Kwanjula). “Kwanjula” means to introduce. During this ceremony, the bride-to-be formally introduces her future husband and his people to her parents, relatives and friends. I feel fortunate to have been invited to such an event. The best part was wearing my beautifully handcrafted traditional Ugandan dress (also called a gomesi) and practising carrying baskets of ‘mutwalo’ (gifts for the father-in-law) on my head!”

Shelby and two other women on the groom’s side carrying on their heads baskets of ‘mutwalo’ (gifts for the father-in-law). Left to right: Jane Nalunga, Country Director, SEATINI-Uganda; Rachel Morgan, fellow QES Scholar; Shelby Jamieson

QES Scholars Rachel Morgan and Jeremy Ryant; Jane Nalunga, Country Director, SEATINI-Uganda; Shelby Jamieson; and Agnes Kirabo, Food Rights Alliance (FRA) Executive Director