Minister assures researchers on availability of funds
The minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Elioda Tumwesigye on Thursday assured researchers and those engaged in scientific innovation of full government support, as funds from the 2019/20 Budget and development partners are available for such scientific ventures.
He was addressing the East Africa Health Researchers, during their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Pre- AGM workshop, held at Kampala Hotel Africana.
He said countries like China, Singapore, Vietnam and Israel have spurred their economic development through research and innovation.
“Stay alert for opportunities in research and Innovation because Russia has put in some money, in addition to funds from 2019/20 Budget allocation to my Ministry”, he said.
He cited other supporting development partners such as US Agency for International Development (USAID), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and UN Trade and Development.
He said research and innovation is needed in the areas of; agriculture, health, energy and environment protection among others.
Professor Vinand Nantulya, Managing Director BRENTEC and Chancellor Busitema University called on government to protect Intellectual Property Rights of researchers.
He said the law on intellectual property rights, should in addition ensure researchers at universities, share revenues with the universities, which trained them, when they choose to go into private business.
“Yes, these researchers should give some money to the universities which mentored them to help in developing the Research departments at the Universities”, he said.
He boasted of having innovated the KUKU Star Vaccine for Poultry farmers, in partnership with other Researchers from abroad, which he says the vaccine is already on market.
Dr Clara Wekesa, while making a presentation on Liver Diseases among HIV patients, said the current Tobacco Law, does not address the challenges of Tobacco use among Ugandans, yet tobacco consumption accelerates liver diseases among HIV patients, especially among urban dwellers.
“Tobacco use is number one cause to liver diseases, yet the law on tobacco only addresses commercial concerns of not advertising cigarettes and tobacco on bill boards and news papers”, she said.
The workshop was organized by THRIVE, a regional consortium for training health researchers in East Africa, in partnership with Makerere University College of Health Sciences. This year’s workshop ran under the theme: “THRIVE Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists”
