The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), in partnership with Makerere University (MAK), University of Juba (UoJ), Dar-es-salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) and University of Bergen (UoB) received a grant from NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation under its NORHED II programme. The project is titled “Adaptive Environmental Monitoring Networks for East Africa (AdEMNEA).
The AdEMNEA project will design, develop, and deploy a flexible network of data gathering and monitoring stations for meteorological data as well as a wide variety of data including audio, image, and video data as well as field reports and telemetry data, integrating both existing sensing platforms and customised components for specific research areas targeting Climate Change and Natural Resources. These data points will be aggregated through resilient and energy-efficient ICT networks from the field to researchers conducting data analysis using machine learning, pattern recognition, and other artificial intelligence and analytical methods in order to support researchers in the application domain. The targeted application domains will be weather monitoring, building on the results and infrastructure established in the NORHED WIMEA-ICT project, and using this data together with the additional sensing and measurement sources to support researchers initially in the entomology domain.
Networks and Resilience(WP1)
VSensor data must be collected from both static and mobile sensors in the field and then aggregated by nodes which are energy-constrained either because they rely on batteries or on local power sources such as solar panels.
Sensors and signal processing(WP2)
These data shall be stored and integrated in digital platforms that facilitate analysis of temporal and spatial species abundance and diversity, improvement of insect management, reduction of pesticide usage and institution of conservation measures for pollinating insects
Data Analytics for Environment Monitoring services(WP3)
Development of automated information collection for insect pollinators and pests. And also for the first time combined utilization of large weather information data sets in insect pollinator conservation planning and pest control method design
Gallery
Validated weather information protocols
This work package will create a comprehensive overview over available data sources for meteorological and other relevant environmental parameters, focusing on the aspects of agricultural pest control and pollination
Weather information
This work package will create a comprehensive overview over available data sources for meteorological and other relevant environmental parameters, focusing on the aspects of agricultural pest control and pollination.
Data analytics for pest control
This project therefore aims at documenting the insect pest species across different cropping systems in Uganda, assessing their population dynamics across seasons and pest management approaches and finally generating information.
Sensor Gateway and Weather Parameters
Build up the logistic framework to allow for an efficient analysis and dissemination of information relevant for pollination and pest control
Insect Recognition and Counting from Image/Video Data
Design and implementation of image-based proximity sensing methods and tools for automatic detection and counting of key flying/crawling pollinating and pest insects.
Telemetry Tracking of Insects
Design and implementation of a light-weight long-range insect tracking system utilizing passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID offers the advantage of rapid and simultaneous insect detection and is less disruptive on insect behavior given the small size of the tags.
Our Partners
Our Team
AdEMNEA research team and their profiles
DR. JULIANNE SANSA-OTIM
Senior Lecturer at Makerere UniversityJulianne is an avid researcher / consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the ICT sector. She is a senior lecturer at Makerere University and leads the IoT-ra lab where Internet of Things research is conducted. Her research interests are in applied Information and Communication Technologies and she has won research grants from a number of agencies resulting in capacity building for a number of partner institutions in Africa as well as several innovative solutions. She has also served on boards of Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) and the UbuntuNet Alliance. Dr Sansa-Otim is responsible for the AdEMNEA project coordination at Makerere University as well as the supervision of Task 1.1 that entails an adaptive Network Architecture.
DR. MARY NSABAGWA
Assistant lecturer at Makerere UniversityDr. Mary is Computer scientist with an experience of 15 years in software and firmware development. She is a Principal Investigator for “A collaborative model and hands-on approach to IoT-based research for improved research experience and quality output” under the RISE fund 2020, which has enabled the design of hand wearable devices to monitor prevailing conditions in order to detect allergens, which could lead to asthma attacks. She has previously collaborated on the WIMEA-ICT project as a PhD scholar where she spearheaded several components that led to the development of an Automatic weather station and its support software with application of wireless sensor networks. Dr. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Makerere University, a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Technology from Hunan University and currently finalizing a PhD in Wireless Sensor Networks
DR. COSMAS MWIKIRIZE
Lecturer at Makerere UniversityDr Cosmas Mwikirize is a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Computing Engineering, Makerere University. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University, two Masters degrees in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering from Makerere University and Rutgers University respectively and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University. He is a Research scientist with expertise in instrumentation, signal processing and machine learning, and cross-cultural training/teaching/research experience at Makerere University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rutgers University and Philips Research North America.
DR. ISAAC MUGUME
ResearcherDr. Isaac Mugume is a Lecturer in the department of geography, geo-informatics and climatic sciences. He’s a dedicated researcher specializing in the field of Meteorology with over 15 years of demonstrated experience. His research focuses on applied numerical weather and climate prediction to environment, agriculture and disaster risk reduction. Through working on different research teams including graduate student supervision, Isaac aspires to become a research leader in matters of weather and climate to solve environmental and societal problems at the same time contributing to government efforts to uplift citizens. Dr. Isaac holds a bachelors degree in Education (Physics) from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology, a Diploma in Meteorology from Makerere University, am MBA in Finance from Sikkim Manipal University, a Master’s degree in Meteorology from Nanjing University of ICT and a PhD in Meteorology from Makerere university. Dr. Isaac has previously collaborated on the WIMEA-ICT project and was awarded the excellence award in research by GGCS in 2018.
DR. MBAZINGWA ELIREHEMA MKIRAMWENI
Lecturer at DITDr. Mbazingwa Elirehema Mkiramweni is a Lecturer in the department of Electronics and Telecommunications at the Dar es salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). His research focuses on resource and interference management and network optimization for Sensor Networks, 5G networks, and UAV-assisted cellular networks and game theory for wireless communication. Dr Mbazingwa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, a Masters in Information and Communications Engineering from the University of Science Technology Beijing and a PhD in Information and Communications engineering from Xidian University. Dr, Mbazingwa is responsible for Tasks 1.1 and 1.2 that entail Adaptive Network Architecture for Sensor Data Acquisition and Network Resilience Monitoring and Maintenance for the AdEMNEA
DR. ROSE NAKASI
ResearcherDr. Rose Nakasi is a PhD Researcher at the AI and Data Science lab of Makerere University. Her research interests are in using machine learning, computer vision Data Science and GIS for solving real life challenges in developing Countries. Particularly, Dr. Rose has been involved in developing improved automated tools for microscopy diagnosis and spatial-temporal prediction of diseases like Malaria. Dr. Rose is currently a Topic Group Chair for AI Based detection of Malaria under WHO/ITU FGAI4H. Dr. Rose holds a bachelors degree in Mathematics and Computer studies from Busitema University, a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Makerere University and a PhD in Computer Science from Makerere University.
Dr. Stephen Wambura
Lecturer, Researcher and a consultant at DITDr. Stephen is a Lecturer, a Researcher and a Consultant, currently working at Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), as a full-time lecturer in the department of Computer Studies. He supervises projects to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Heavily involved in conducting researches, developing, evaluating and validating curricula. He is also involved in lecturing AI and Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Programming for Computational Science and Engineering, Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures, Operating Systems, and Signal Processing, Dr.Stephen holds both Bachelor and Master of Engineering in Computer Designs & Technologies from Vladimir State University, and a PhD in Computer Science and Technologies from Xidian University. Dr. Stephen is a Professional member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). His research interests are centered on Democratization of AI, Machine Learning and Deep Learning. Dr. Stephen is responsible for Tasks 2.1, 2.2 and 3.4 of work packages 2 ad 3 of the AdEMNEA project.
DR. ROSE NAKIBUULE
Assistant Lecturer at Makerere UniversityDr. Rose Nakibuule is an Assistant lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, Makerere University. She is a dedicated and capable researcher specializing in the field of Artificial Intelligence and data science specifically, Machine learning and Computer Vision. Her research focusses on application of methods from machine learning, computer vision and predictive analytics to solve problems affecting the developing world. Through working on different research teams including graduate student supervision and collaborations between academic, industry and society, Rose aspires to become a research leader in solving both environmental and social problems that require knowledge and application of machine learning and computer vision within the developing world. Dr. Rose is currently a Principle investigator, Privacy-preserving low-cost real-time traffic monitoring-at-the-edge with computer vision, funded by Makerere University with support from the Government of Uganda. She is a member, Research, Innovations, Services and Engagement (RISE) Directorate, College of computing and information sciences (COCIS) Makerere University. and a member, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Lab- Research group, Makerere University. Dr. Rose holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Makerere University, a Master’s degree in Scheduling and Optimization from Makerere University and a PhD in Machine Learning and Computer Vision from Makerere University.
Marko Zennaro
ResearcherI coordinate the Science, Technology and Innovation Unit of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy. I hold a PhD from KTH - the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. I am also a Visiting Professor at Kobe Institute of Computing (KIC) in Kobe, Japan. My research interests are in the area of ICT4D. More specifically, I focus on IoT, wireless sensor networks and their applications in Developing Countries. The use of wireless sensor networks in developing regions has a great role to play not only to expedite novel solutions that help mitigate development problems, but also to facilitate research activities in crucial scientific areas such as environmental monitoring, physics of complex systems and energy management. I have organized workshops in more than 30 countries and have been Focal Point for the ITU Centre of Excellence in IoT, Big Data and Statistics. I have been a Staff Associate of the African Centre of Excellence in Internet of Things at University of Rwanda since its inception. In 2013, I was nominated as a Sense-making Senior Research Fellow of the MIT International Development Initiative and have been a member of the UNESCO Chair in ICT4D since 2004. I am an IEEE Senior Member and an ACM Senior Member.
Professor Stephen Wolthusen
Professor (Information Security, NTNU, Norway) Professor (Information Security, Royal Holloway,UK)I am a computer scientist (well, applied mathematician - same thing, really) working in the area of information assurance and security. My principal research interests include information assurance and security, applied combinatorics and graph theory, network and distributed systems security, and models for critical infrastructure protection. Project Investigator and doubles as a Researcher for Task 1:2
Dr. Nakatumba Joyce Nabende
Lecturer/ResearcherJoyce Nakatumba-Nabende is a senior lecturer in the Department of Computer Science. She is the head of the Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab where she leads and has worked on research projects that aim at developing, applying Artificial Intelligence, machine learning methods and tools to improve the quality of life especially in the developing world. She is a board member of Data Science Africa and also an member of the ACM Educational committee. A researcher under Task 3.4
Dr. Joseph Matiko
Lecturer at Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT)My responsibilities include teaching BEng and MEng students, supervising student projects, research and consultancy. Researcher under task 1.4
Dr. Patrick Vudriko
Researcher & Lecturer, Makerere UniversityDr. Patrick Vudriko is a lecturer of Veterinary pharmacology and toxicology with over 11 years of experience in teaching, research and community outreach in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University. He is also the founder of Research Center for Tropical Diseases and Vector Control (RTC), one of the most active research facility in COVAB. Patrick has a wide experience in university-led community engagements for social development through evidence-based research and intervention. At national level, he served as a board member for Pharmacy in the Ministry of Health and he also collaborate with the drug regulatory authority on veterinary medicines regulatory affairs. Core value of Dr Patrick is to Strive to use my knowledge and skills to provide innovative solutions against pressing research needs for solving animal, human and environmental challenges in Africa and beyond Researcher for task 3.2 & 3.3
Dr. Roseline Akol
Researcher & Lecturer, Makerere UniversityI am an Engineer by profession and have been involved in human capital development of Electrical, Computer & Telecommunications Engineers in Uganda for over 20 years. I am currently teaching in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Makerere University. I teach and supervise both graduate and undergraduate students. My current research interest is in wireless technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), smart grids and smart technologies. I am passionate about harnessing and growing resources. I aspires to practice in several fields of Engineering and applied science, do collaboration research between academia and industry to solve societal problems.
Dr. Deborah Amulen
Researcher & Lecturer, Makerere UniversityLecturer at Makerere University, in the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources. She obtained a Bachelors’ degree in Animal Production Technology and Management, then a Master’s of Science in Livestock Development Planning and Management, and later pursued a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences from Ghent University in Belgium, where she focused on applied beekeeping in the African context. Deborah is deeply passionate about insect research, product development and community resource mobilization towards harnessing beneficial insects. Researcher for Task 3.2 & 3.3
Contact
Location:
Level 3, Block B - College of Computing & Information Sciences (CoCIS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Email:
ademnea@cit.ac.ug
Call:
+256-772-310-038