Tayebwa roots for govt funding research among academic institutions

KAMPALA - Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa says he is concerned over local research being heavily funded by international organisations. 

Tayebwa says this is crippling the development of the country. 

While presiding over Uganda Management Institute's (UMI) 22nd graduation ceremony on March 14, 2025, in Kampala city, Tayebwa said innovation drives progress, so it is crucial for governments to invest in research within academic institutions.

He noted that academic institutions are the breeding grounds for groundbreaking discoveries, technological advancements, and solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

Deputy speaker Tayebwa said innovation drives progress, so it is crucial for governments to invest in research within academic institutions. (All Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Eng. Dr. Steven Paul Kagoda, the Chairperson Uganda Management Institute (UMI) Governing Council remarks during 22nd graduation ceremony on March 14, 2025, in Kampala city.

Accordingly, by spreading funding towards research in universities and colleges, governments can not only foster intellectual growth but also empower future generations to tackle global issues, strengthen economies, and elevate the quality of life for all.

Once the Government takes over the idea, local research will produce reports that are not influenced but rather highlight challenges and solutions typically for Ugandans.

“It's a shame when you have an institution, a university, where you don't promote academic professionals. That’s really wrong and that's why now we have refocused on saying academic institutions, our universities, must be funded so that they can be able to promote their staff who meet the qualifications,” he said.

Vision Group's production journalist (Content Generation), Dinah Nalubega (C) was among the graduates today.

Share ideas

He challenged academic institutions to share proficient ideas so they could attract government funding. This could help them to manufacture ideas that see the country quickly achieving its vision 2040.

“So, I urge you, please, share with us your promotion plan so that we can provide you that funding, working with the government. It's one of the priorities we are going to focus on in this time of finance. On research, we must find our own research as a government because he who pays the piper calls the tune,” he assured.

The Deputy Speaker said nowadays, countries are investing in their own research, and this explains why some nations that were once down the poverty index are now rich.

The Chancellor’s procession as it happened.

UMI graduated 2,020 male candidates and 2,198 females, totaling 4,218.

Their population is also growing and expanding to other countries to capture more bases to sell their ideas.

Moreover, he noted that several countries have concentrated on Ugandans' brilliance, exploiting them to satisfy their goals. For instance, Boeing employs over 170,000 people globally, including in Uganda, and has a presence in more than 65 countries.

About 15 extremely qualified engineers are Ugandans who are believed to have left Uganda for failure to finance them to achieve their goals.

A case in point is the impressive work of Ronald Mugomba Lwasa, the mastermind behind the innovative design of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner tail cone mufflers. In addition to the 787, Lwasa has also worked on other Boeing projects, including the 737X, F15, T-X/Red Hawk, and G650.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa noted that academic institutions are the breeding grounds for groundbreaking discoveries, technological advancements, and solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

Rosemary Seninde (C), the National Resistance Movement party director of mobilisation was awarded.

Lwasa studied agriculture at Gulu University and attended Old Kampala Senior Secondary School.

According to Tayebwa, Uganda would have kept talents like Lwasa to potentially harness their skills.

“And I think we have learned lessons. Most of the countries globally are now looking inward. In terms of funding. They have their national priorities.  Citizens of the countries who have been helping us so much are asking that before you solve our internal problems in our countries, why are you sending money abroad? So, we have to go back,” he said.

Respectively, it is investing in academia that will partly help the Government manage cases of corruption that have long ravaged the country. Through huge sacrifices, integrity among professionals and other government agencies may be restored.

Justice Bart Katureebe, the chancellor of UMI, said research is the cornerstone of innovation and progress.

Uganda’s strategy is based on eight themes, such as agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, science, technology and innovation. Tayebwa assured the public that any innovator who comes through this angle will be supported.

Cornerstone of innovation 

Justice Bart Katureebe, the chancellor of UMI, said research is the cornerstone of innovation and progress. Additionally, it provides evidence-based solutions to the complex challenges the Government, organisations and communities face.

“As an institution of higher learning, we must foster a culture of inquiry, ensuring that our research addresses national and regional priorities,” he said.

By bridging the gap between academia and, policymakers, the findings will translate into actionable strategies that promote good governance, economic development, and social well-being.

The graduates were commended for their great work done but challenged to maintain their ethics at work. 

“I encourage our scholars to focus on pragmatic solutions, ones that address issues such as governance inefficiencies, economic resilience, and peacebuilding,” he said.

Graduation

UMI graduated 2,020 male candidates and 2,198 females, totaling 4,218. They were commended for their great work done but challenged to maintain their ethics at work.