Corruption failing research

By Innocent Anguyo

THE money that could be used for funding research in Uganda is being embezzled by unscrupulous public officials, professors have noted.

Prof Julius Kizza of Makerere University and Prof Charles Kwesiga, the Executive Director of Uganda Industrial Research Institute (IURI) were speaking on Wednesday is a public held at Makerere.

The duo noted that if Uganda is to transform, then the country needs to eliminate corruption and increase allocation of resources to research.

Prof Kizza said Uganda’s investment of 0.005% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into research is too negligible to trigger rapid transformation,

Prof Kwesiga who was also the keynote speaker said self-centeredness as an insidious form of corruption on the part of decision makers and power brokers in Uganda continues to hamstring the country’s development agenda.

The public lecture held under the theme “Challenges, Opportunities, and Prospects for Sustainable Economic Transformation” was organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), a German political foundation.

Alice Alaso, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) said theft in Uganda is systematic and that there is no political will to fight the vice.

“As long as corruption is not fought, research and transformation will not be attained in Uganda,” reiterated Alaso.

Meanwhile, renowned women’s right activist Miria Matembe accused Uganda’s youth of being corrupt, saying the young populace wants to get rich quickly through illicit means.

“The young people are spoilt. They want to drive expensive cars immediately after graduating from the campus,” Matembe said.

The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Henry Banyenzaki told the youth to get their spending priorities right, saying most young person often spend on liabilities such as cars and parties.

“If you want to become successful in life, don’t take shortcuts and save a lot. You are responsible for your own future,” Banyenzaki advised.