Science and technology top on Uganda's development plan
Nov 16, 2011
The Government has placed science and technology among the four priorities of the National Development Plan for 2010/11 to 2014/15.
Dr. Peter Ndemere (left), executive secretary, UNCST and Alex Ruhunda (right), MP, Fort
Portal municipality aunch the Uganda Biodiversity Information facility at the Mountains of
the Moon Hotel, Fort Portal last month
The Government has placed science and technology among the four priorities of the National Development Plan for 2010/11 to 2014/15.
This presents an opportunity and challenge to scientists, policy makers, development planners and the ordinary citizens to transform scientific knowledge into national development programmes. Key among our national aspirations is transforming the economy from an agrarian to an industrial and knowledge economy.
Today Uganda commemorates World Science Day for Peace and Development. This year’s celebrations emphasize public engagement, equity in science within all sectors of society, among men and women as well as countries participating in and contributing to the global stock of knowledge, through a more holistic approach to the developmental agenda.
“Uganda’s development prospects are intricately linked with the pace of generation, adoption and utilisation of science and technology in the development process,” says Dr. Peter Ndemele, executive secretary, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).
UNCST is mandated to facilitate and coordinate the development and implementation of policies and strategies that integrate science and technology into the national development process. The council coordinates efforts geared towards realising national aspirations through judicious use of science, technology and innovation.
The council has engaged in strategic pilot projects, policy studies and nation-wide stakeholder consultations on the formulation of a National Plan for Science and Technology (NSTI) 2012/13 and 2017/18.
Through the NSTI, the Government is strengthening Uganda’s science, technology and innovation capabilities through building modern infrastructure in universities, research institutions and other innovation centres.
Government is also creating a critical mass of skilled scientists and engineers to drive economic growth and transformation and is increasing funding for research, scientific innovation and product development. Private-public partnerships and international collaborations are also being enhanced.
Scientists, innovators, policy makers, private sector enterprises, non-government organisations, community based organisations, civil society, development partners and the public are all invited to participate in building a science and technology-led Ugandan society.
The science policy at the United Nations Education Scientific Culture Organisation (UNESCO) dates back to 1963 when the body turned its attention to the role of science and technology in economic development.
Students of Teso College display their innovations during the Science Week
PICTURE BY JOHN KASOZI
Modern science systems foster linkages between knowledge creation and the application of results to satisfy social demands and solve problems through the so-called demand-push model. This trend was reflected in the Science Agenda adopted by the World Conference on Science organised by UNESCO and the International Council for Science in 1999.
The Science Agenda called for a new social contract for science, one in which science would serve society while society would in turn give its support to science.