Dr. Catherine Kiwuka is a Senior Research Officer and in-situ conservationist at the Plant Genetic Resources Centre under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO). Her work focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of Ugandas plant genetic diversity, aligning directly with the CBDs goals. She has advanced knowledge of the Nagoya Protocol and its application to plant genetic resources, ensuring that access and benefit-sharing measures are respected in research and conservation. Dr. Kiwuka has led community-based projects where indigenous crops and traditional knowledge are documented, stressing the importance of PIC and MAT in equitable collaborations. She actively contributes to policy dialogues on plant biodiversity conservation, linking research outputs with ABS frameworks. Her expertise enhances Ugandas capacity to conserve genetic resources, ensuring that benefits flow back to local custodians and farming communities. Involved in the implementation of the ABS framework as a conservation biologist to access plant genetic resources for conservation and bioprospecting. She has also been engaged in building the capacity of stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, and farming communities, on ABS-related issues.
