Theme: Intelligent Design Through the Lenses of African Scholars
Dates: 7th –11th September 2026
Facilitators: Prof. Charles Twesigye; Dr. Joel Isanga; Dr. Barbara Nerima; Isaac Mutono
BioCosmos Uganda, in collaboration with universities in the Western Uganda Region, will conduct a series of Academic Forums on Intelligent Design from 7th to 11th September 2026.
The academic forums are part of BioCosmos Uganda’s efforts to promote meaningful academic discourse, scholarly engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue on questions concerning the origins, complexity and design of the universe and life. The initiative is designed to provide university faculty members with an opportunity to engage with Intelligent Design through the perspectives and experiences of African scholars.
Theme: “Intelligent Design Through the Lenses of African Scholars”
The theme emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for African scholars and university faculty members to participate in contemporary academic discussions surrounding Intelligent Design and related questions. The forums will provide an interactive platform for participants to listen to presentations, ask questions, exchange perspectives and engage in scholarly discussion.
Academic Forum Facilitators
The Western Uganda Academic Forum programme will be facilitated by a team from BioCosmos Uganda drawn from Makerere and Kyambogo University comprising:
1. Prof. Charles Twesigye – Vice Chairperson, BioCosmos Uganda
2. Dr. Joel Isanga – Board Treasurer, BioCosmos Uganda
3. Dr. Barbara Nerima – Board Member, BioCosmos Uganda
4. Isaac Mutono – Administrator, BioCosmos Uganda
Universities to Be Visited
The five-day programme will cover eight universities and campuses across the Western Uganda Region as captured below:
| No. | University/Institution | Date | Time |
| 1 | Mbarara University | Monday, 7 September 2026 | 9:00 a.m. |
| 2 | Bishop Stuart University | Monday, 7 September 2026 | 2:00 p.m. |
| 3 | KIU Ishaka Campus | Tuesday, 8 September 2026 | 9:00 a.m. |
| 4 | University of St. Joseph | Tuesday, 8 September 2026 | 2:00 p.m. |
| 5 | Kabale University | Wednesday, 9 September 2026 | 9:00 a.m. |
| 6 | Ibanda University | Thursday, 10 September 2026 | 9:00 a.m. |
| 7 | Mountain of the Moon University | Friday, 11 September 2026 | 9:00 a.m. |
| 8 | Divine International University | Friday, 11 September 2026 | 2:00 p.m. |
Programme Highlights
During the university visits, participants will have an opportunity to be exposed to various aspects as captured in the programme below:
| STANDARD STRUCTURE OF ALL DEPARTMENTAL WORKSHOPS IN UGANDA | |
| ACTIVITY | Presenter |
| • Opening remarks and Introductions | 1. Host2. Prof. Charles Twesigye |
| • Background of BioCosmos Africa & BioCosmos Uganda | Isaac Mutono |
| • Introduction to Intelligent Design • Methods of Design Detection:i. Complex & Specified Information ii. Irreducible complexityiii. Explanatory Filteriv. Scientific Methodv. Abductive Reasoning Use one brief case study Relevant to the Department eg the DNA as a case of CSI | Dr. Joel Isanga |
| • Clear distinction between Macro & Micro Evolution and our position as BCU | Dr. Joel Isanga |
| Enrolling for BCA Course: www.bcacourse.orgTake the participants through via the webpage to enroll for TRACK 1 – Barbara Nerima | Dr. Barbara Nerima |
| Registration as a member of BioCosmos Uganda: www.biocosmosuganda.orgTake the participants through via the webpage – Barbara Nerima | |
| BCA Research Fund – 2026 Call | |
| Completing the Online Feedback Form | Isaac Mutono |
| • Q & A session | |
A central feature of the forums will be interactive academic engagement. Rather than being limited to formal presentations, the sessions will encourage participants to raise questions, share perspectives and engage in respectful scholarly debate. BioCosmos Uganda recognizes universities as important spaces for academic discourse. The forums therefore seek to encourage faculty members to examine important questions from multiple disciplinary perspectives and to contribute their own insights to the discussion. The forums will also provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships between BioCosmos Uganda and universities in Western Uganda, with a view to encouraging continued academic engagement beyond the five-day programme.
Strengthening Academic Engagement in Uganda
The Western Uganda Academic Forums form part of the broader vision of BioCosmos Uganda to encourage academic discussion and scholarly engagement around Intelligent Design and related questions. By taking these discussions directly to universities, BioCosmos Uganda seeks to create platforms where scholars can engage with ideas in an academic environment. The five-day programme will also provide an opportunity for BioCosmos Uganda to engage university management and faculty members to understand on future academic activities and collaboration.
Invitation to the University Community
BioCosmos Uganda welcomes faculty members to participate in the forums at the respective institutions.Participants are encouraged to come prepared to listen, question, discuss and contribute to the academic conversation. The forums represent an opportunity to bring together African scholars and faculty members in a shared effort to explore important intellectual questions and strengthen academic dialogue on Intelligent Design.
BioCosmos Uganda looks forward to engaging university communities across Western Uganda in this important academic conversation
“We follow the evidence where it leads”
