Dr. Vianney Andrew Yiga

Areas of Research Interest: Biofuels; Biocomposites; Biochar; Bioplastics

Dr. Vianney Andrew Yiga has interest in renewable energy systems, waste management as well as product and production systems optimization.

1. Certificate in Design of Experiments (DoE) and Visual communication of Scientific Research, University of Kassel, Germany, 2020.
2. Certificate in Information Competence and Management, Makerere University Kampala, 2020.
3. Certificate in Qualitative Data analysis, Interpretation and Presentation, Makerere University Kampala, 2020
4. Diploma in MATLAB, University College of Southeast Norway, Norway, 2017.
5. Certificate in Journalism, A-One Institute of Media & Business Studies, Kampala, 2011

1. Principal Investigator on Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Phase 5 project (Developing novel green ceramic floor tiles with rice husks and plastic wastes for sustainable market responsive construction materials production – UGX 47,434,925/=). 1^st January 2024-31^st January 2024.
2. Co-Principal Investigator on Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Phase 5 project (Sustainable development of bioplastic packaging from non-edible biomass for mitigation of environmental pollution – UGX 84,830,000/=). 1^st January 2024-31^st January 2024.
3. Principal Investigator on UNESCO Campus Africa Youth skills Enhancement project (Enhancing youth skills development through higher technical Education in Eastern Africa – USD 10,000). 29^th August 2023-29^th February 2024.
4. Co-Principal Investigator on Swedish Research Council (VR) project (Grant no. 2020-03725) (Bioplastic development from agricultural residues in Uganda– SEK 720,000). 1^st January 2020-17^th August 2023.
5. Research Assistant – PhD scholar on Volkswagen Foundation project (Project no. 96655). Enhanced flame retardancy of bio-composite plastics developed with rice husks and clay fillers. 1^st March, 2019- 30^th October, 2022.
6. Co-Principal Investigator on Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Phase 1 project (Up-cycling plastic wastes by incorporation of agricultural residues for the development of environmentally friendly packaging products – UGX 104,310,000/=). 1^st November 2019-1^st November 2020.
7. Research Assistant – Masters Scholar on Volkswagen Foundation project (Project no. 90016). Development of bio-composite polymers using rice and coffee husks as fillers. 1^st December, 2016-1^st December, 2018.
8. Research Assistant – Graduate researcher on International Foundation for Science project (Grant no. C/5663-1). Development of rice and coffee husk briquettes as sustainable fuel sources for domestic cooking applications in Uganda. 1^st June 2015-30^th November, 2016.

1. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Minna Hakkarainen. “Combustion, kinetics and thermodynamic characteristics of alkali modified rice husks using thermogravimetric analysis”. 3rd Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Conference. June 20th -23rd (2023) Danubius Hotel Annabella, Balatonfüred, Hungary.
2. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Sathiyaraj Subramaniyan, Minna Hakkarainen, Michael Lubwama, Karin H Adolfsson. “Synthesis and thermal characteristics of rice husks derived bioplastic films”. Nordic Polymer Days. May 8th-10th (2023) IDA Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark.
3. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. “Application of Response Surface Methodology for optimizing tensile strength of rice husk fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites”. 2nd International Online Conference on Polymer Science (IOCPS) – Polymers and Nanotechnology for Industry 4.0. November 1st-15th (2021) Online.
4. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. “Characterization of rice husks as potential reinforcement for polylactic acid composites”. 5th International Conference on natural fibers (ICNF). May 17th-19th (2021).
5. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. “Investigation on char residues and mean reactivity of compression molded rice and coffee husks bio-char reinforced polypropylene”. 5th Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference (TFEC). April 5th-8th (2020) Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
6. Meron Nabaasa, John Katumba, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama. “Remediation of heavy metal contaminants in wastewater using bio-char based low-cost adsorbents”. 20th Afwa International Congress & Exhibition. February 24th – 27th (2020) Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.
7. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama. “Thermogravimetric analysis of agricultural residue carbonized briquettes for domestic and industrial applications”. 10th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS2019). December 10th-13th (2019) Arusha International Conference Centre, Arusha, Tanzania.
8. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama. Thermal stability of compression molded rice and coffee husks fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. 14th International conference on Heat Transfer, fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics (HEFAT, Wicklow). July 22nd – 24th (2019) Powerscourt Hotel, Wicklow, Ireland.
9. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Effect of carbonization on the properties of Polypropylene Based Bio-composites. International Conference on Biochemical & Chemical Engineering. November 19th – 20th (2018) Panorama Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic.
10. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Sinja Pagel, Stefan Epple, Christian Bonten, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Mechanical and thermal properties of Bio-composite polymers reinforced with rice and coffee husks. 8th International Conference and Exhibition on Biopolymers and Bioplastics. October 15th – 16th (2018) Renaissance Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
11. Michael Lubwama, Frank Muhairwe, Vianney Andrew Yiga. Development of composite briquettes from Agricultural wastes. WC Climate Change 2018: Impacts & Responses. September 13th-15th (2018) Holiday Inn Rome Pisana, Rome, Italy.
12. Timothy Louis Musinguzi, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama. Production of bio-composite polymers with rice and coffee husks as reinforcing fillers using a low-cost compression molding machine. The 1st Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineering Conference (PASAE, Nairobi). March 25th – 28th (2018), Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel Nairobi, Kenya.

1. Josephine Moriku Thomas Celestino, Peter Okidi Lating, Betty Nabuuma, Vianney Andrew Yiga. (2023) “Effects of clay, gum Arabic and hybrid binders on the properties of rice and coffee husk briquettes” Results in Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101488
2. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Moses Katamba, Michael Lubwama, Karin. Adolfsson, Minna Hakkarainen, Edwin Kamalha. (2023) “Combustion, kinetics and thermodynamic characteristics of rice husks and rice husk-biocomposites using thermogravimetric analysis” Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-023-12458-w
3. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Denis Karemani, Denis Bbosa, Emmanuel B.O. Olotu, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Faith Natukunda. (2023) “Prediction of tensile strength of biochar filled polylactic acid composites via box-behnken design”. Journal of Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jer.2023.100142
4. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Andrew Nuwamanya, Agatha Birungi, Michael Lubwama, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. (2023) “Development of carbonized rice husks briquettes: Synergy between emissions, combustion, kinetics and thermodynamic characteristics”. Energy Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.05.066
5. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama & Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2023) “Thermal stability of NAOH modified rice husk fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites: Effect of rice husks and clay loading”. Results in Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinma.2023.100398
6. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, James Opio, Emmanuel Menya, Denis Nono, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. (2023) “Production and Characterization of Paper from Banana Stem Fiber: Optimization Using Box-behnken Design (BBD)”. Journal of Natural Fibers. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2023.2192019
7. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama, Ivan Ssempijja & Joseph Kihedu. (2023) “Emissions and emission factors for Dichrostachys cinerea, Morus Lactea, Piliostigma thonningii, Combretum molle, and Albizia grandibracteata firewood species and their charcoals”. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04005-2
8. Herman Mbabali, Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Evans Were & Hillary Kasedde. (2023) “Development of Rice Husk and Sawdust Mycelium-Based Bio-composites: Optimization of Mechanical, Physical and Thermal Properties”. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-023-00458-x
9. Denis Nsubuga, Isa Kabenge, Ahamada Zziwa, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Yusufu Mpendo, Mawejje Harbert, Ronald Kizza, Noble Banadda & Kerstin D. Wydra. (2023) “Optimization of adsorbent dose and contact time for the production of jackfruit waste nutrient-enriched biochar”. Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-022-00123-1
10. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama & Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2023) “Pyrolysis, kinetics and thermodynamic analyses of rice husks/clay fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites using thermogravimetric analysis”. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11927-y
11. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2022) “Thermal and alkali modification of kaolin for potential utilization as filler material in fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites” Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11379-4
12. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2022) “Thermal stability of unmodified and alkali modified rice husks for flame retardant fiber-reinforced PLA composites” Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry,1-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11311-w
13. Tumusiime, Godias, Paul Wambua, Samson Rwahwire, David Njuguna, Vianney Andrew Yiga. (2022) “Production and mechanical characterization of reinforced zinc oxide nanoparticle-coated silk waste bio-composites” Polymer Bulletin, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-022-04475-w
14. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Sinja Pagel, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Johannes Benz, & Christian Bonten. (2021) “Optimization of tensile strength of PLA/clay/rice husk composites using Box-Behnken design” Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 3, 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01971-3
15. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama & Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2021) “Characterization of rice husks as potential reinforcement for polymer composites” Materials Circular Economy, 3, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-021-00031-5
16. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2021) “Application of Response Surface Methodology for optimizing tensile strength of rice husk fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites”. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) Proceedings, 3, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3390/IOCPS2021-11242
17. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Sinja Pagel, Michael Lubwama, Johannes Benz, Peter Wilberforce Olupot & Christian Bonten. (2021) “Flame retardancy and thermal stability of agricultural residue fiber-reinforced PLA: A review.” Polymer Composites, 24, 15-44. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25835
18. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. “Effect of Surface modification on the bio-chemical properties of rice and coffee husks agricultural wastes for potential use in briquettes and fiber-reinforced plastics development.” Journal of Natural fibers 18(3) (2021): 630-629. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2019.1642824
19. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Silagi Wanambwa, Denis Bbosa & Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. (2021). Pyrolysis kinetics and combustion characteristics of local firewood species and charcoal produced by slow pyrolysis. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-02050-3
20. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Ivan Ssempijja, & Lubwama, H. N. (2021). Thermal and mechanical characteristics of local firewood species and resulting charcoal produced by slow pyrolysis. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01840-z
21. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, & Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. (2020). Effects and interactions of the agricultural waste residues and binder type on physical properties and calorific values of carbonized briquettes. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01001-8
22. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Lubwama, M., & Peter Wilberforce Olupot. (2020). Investigation on char residues and mean reactivity of compression molded rice and coffee husks bio-char reinforced polypropylene. In ASTFE Digital Library. Begel House Inc. https://doi.org/10.1615/TFEC2020.cbf.032093
23. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Frank Muhairwe, Joseph Kihedu. (2020). Physical and combustion properties of agricultural residue bio-char bio-composite briquettes as sustainable domestic energy sources. Renewable energy, 148, 1002-1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.10.085
24. Vianney Andrew Yiga, & Michael Lubwama. (2020). Thermogravimetric analysis of agricultural residue carbonized briquettes for domestic and industrial applications. MRS Advances, 5(20), 1039-1048. https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2019.485
25. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Sinja Pagel, Michael Lubwama, Stefan Epple, Peter Wilberforce Olupot and Christian Bonten. “Development of fiber-reinforced polypropylene with NaOH pretreated rice and coffee husks as fillers: Mechanical and thermal Properties.” Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials 33, no. 9 (2020): 1269-1291. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0892705718823255
26. Timothy Louis Musinguzi, Vianney Andrew Yiga, & Michael Lubwama (2019). “Production of bio-composite polymers with rice and coffee husks as reinforcing fillers using a low-cost compression molding machine.” Journal of Engineering in Agriculture and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.37017/jeae-volume5-no1.2019-5
27. Michael Lubwama & Vianney Andrew Yiga. “Characteristics of briquettes developed from rice and coffee husks for domestic cooking applications in Uganda.” Renewable energy 118 (2018): 43-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.11.003
28. Michael Lubwama & Vianney Andrew Yiga. “Development of groundnut shells and bagasse briquettes as sustainable fuel sources for domestic cooking applications in Uganda.” Renewable Energy 111 (2017): 532-542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.04.041

Reviewer for the following Journals:

• Energy Reports
• Energy for sustainable development
• Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
• Cogent Engineering
• Journal of Natural fibres
• Journal of Applied Polymer Science
• Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry
• Journal of Material cycles and Waste management
• Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
• Environmental Technology and Innovation
• Biomass conversion and Biorefinery
• Journal of Polymers and the environment
• Cellulose
• Silicon
• SN Applied Sciences
• Energy for sustainable development
• Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy
• Frontiers in Sustainable cities
• Mini-reviews in Organic chemistry