Tumwesigye tells scientists to set research agenda

Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation has implored Ugandan scientists to set the research agenda rather than follow research interests of sponsors.

Speaking during a dialogue ‘Examination of Uganda's National Guidelines for Research Involving Humans as Research Participant' in Kampala, Tumwesigye said research should be geared towards solving our own problems.

He assured the scientists of President Yoweri Museveni's support.

Dr. Andrew Mujugira, a research scientist in the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington in the US said that not all research funds from the developed world were conditional though he advocated for more government funding if the country wants to control its research.

"There are some open research funds where you can propose your own research," he said.

Dr. Nielsen Nielsen, director regional partnerships at International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) agreed with Tumwesigye on local scientists setting the agenda so that research responds to solving local problems.

She said Uganda scientists were setting the agenda through agencies like Ministry of Health and Uganda National Health Research Organization.

"I think they set the agenda," she said.