President reaffirms government’s science funding priority

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritising science and technology as a cornerstone for Uganda’s and Africa’s development, during the opening of Makerere University’s Research and Innovations Week, writes Salmah Namwanje for Nile Post.

Addressing participants at the event, Museveni said Africa’s historical underdevelopment and colonisation stemmed from its lag in scientific and technological advancement. He noted that this understanding has long informed the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s strategy for national development. “Africa was colonised on account of lagging behind in science and technology,” Museveni said. “From the very beginning, the NRM recognised this as one of the major bottlenecks to Uganda’s progress and the survival of our people.”

Responding to ongoing public debate around Uganda’s research funding priorities, Museveni defended the government’s decision to allocate 70% of the budget to science disciplines. He acknowledged the importance of the arts but emphasised the urgent need to address fundamental human needs.
Full report on the Nile Post site