Universities call for increased science funding

Universities and education stakeholders are advocating for increased and dedicated funding for science — crucial for effectively transmitting research in a way that positively impacts daily lives and contributes to the country’s scientific and economic advancement.

The call was made during the First National Workshop on the Application of Open Science to Deliver the National Development Plan (NDP) IV at ISBAT University’s main campus in Lugogo, Kampala, on Friday.

Supported by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, the workshop focused on four key sectors: agro-industrialisation, tourism, mining, science, technology, and innovation.

Open science emphasizes making scientific research, data, and dissemination accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or institutional affiliation. The core idea is to make the entire research process more transparent, collaborative, and inclusive.

Dr. Fred Muhumuza, the head of the Economic Forum at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), stated that while many scientists work in laboratories and engage in open science with peers both locally and internationally, there is a disconnect in effectively transmitting scientific knowledge to grassroots levels and receiving feedback from these communities.

“We must ensure that when science is created, it reaches the populations that need it. This connection is currently lacking, and without it, we will not realize the value of the significant investments being made in parliament and cabinet,” he said. 

Muhumuza highlighted that there is inadequate funding, meaning science does not reach farmers, as essential frontline workers, like agricultural extension workers, are missing.

 “Without agricultural extension workers to convey scientific knowledge to farmers, there is a problem.

“Until our scientific advancements reach the ground, we will not achieve the science-driven economic growth that our President envisions for the next 15 years."

He pointed out that while there are scientific advancements in coffee cultivation, such as trees that can produce one kilogramme of coffee per tree, some farmers are still only achieving yields of half a kilogramme.

“These extension workers are crucial as they interact with communities and help prevent costly mistakes that deplete household investments in agriculture stemming from the Parish Development Model (PDM)."

Friday's workshop focused on the four key sectors of agro-industrialization, tourism, mining, and science, technology, and innovation. (Credit: John Masaba)

Cost of inaction

Muhumuza stated that any research that does not address a societal problem may only serve academic purposes. He expressed concern that this approach is not beneficial for those who work hard to publish their findings.

"We don't want to be academicians whose role has simply been in a journal."

He noted that many scholars, despite being well-read and published — some with as many as 60 journal articles and numerous books — have failed to translate their research into practical applications.

Dr. Yusuf Byaruhanga, a professor at the School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering at Makerere University, emphasized that although the agricultural sector employs over 75 percent of Ugandans, it faces significant challenges related to low productivity.

Using maize production as an example, he noted that Uganda's yield per hectare has actually decreased over time, while other countries have increased their yields over the past 25 years.

“South Africa was harvesting about 3.5 tonnes of maize per hectare 25 years ago, and today they are harvesting over 6 tonnes per hectare. In contrast, Uganda has dropped from approximately 3 tonnes per hectare to around 2.5 tonnes,” he explained.

Byaruhanga remarked that despite the discovery of oil, not everyone will directly benefit from the oil industry. 

He also said that agriculture is what will truly lift most people out of poverty and improve their livelihoods.