Science ministry to support researchers

KAMPALA- The ministry of science, technology and innovations (MOSTI) and the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) have rolled out an arrangement to support researchers.

Uganda has an annual population growth of 3% making the demand for resources like food, water, housing and clothing high.

To ensure proper supply of such necessities to Ugandans, there is a heightened call for a paradigm shift from traditional to knowledge based development mechanism.

Such mechanisms will be fueled by research to enable application of more sufficient systems.

It's against such a background that the MOSTI has signed a memorandum of understanding (M.O.U) with NARO to support research initiatives.

Speaking during the signing of the MOU at the ministry headquarters in Kampala recently, David Obong, the ministry permanent secretary said, with the current expanding population, there is need to embark on extensive research to ensure that Ugandans have more efficient systems of food production, consumption and processing that foster the reuse of resources.

"Agriculture is the backbone of this country, so it must be supported in all aspects to ensure continuous food production and processing excess for sale, "said Obong.

According to Obong, the signing of the MOU with NARO is intended at ensuring that scientific research is supported to establish well balanced intellectual property rights and management systems in order to achieve rapid, concerted and sustained changes that cut across all levels of the society.

The director general of NARO, Dr Ambrose Agona said the partnership will support researchers in Uganda to work and earn from their research.

Ugandan researchers and scientists, Agona said go abroad and offer services there leaving Uganda with little or no researchers at all.  "This affects economic growth of the country," he said.

For the best results, he said scientists will do their work and after reach out to the communities to a certain interventions.

Odong said that they also intend to reach out and attract other partners to join them in supporting researchers and scientists.

"This will help in funding research and the results will be overwhelming," Obong added.

To keep their partners trust, Odong said that they intend to come up with a committee that will be transparent enough to show how work is being done and also give accountability for the funds used.