The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, has called for stronger collaboration between Universities and government in the implementation of government programmes through research, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
Mr. Kumumanya made the remarks while addressing Senior Academic Staff of Kabale University during a mentorship training organised jointly by the University and the Civil Service College Uganda.
He noted that the Government of Uganda has a long-standing history of drawing on academia for human resource solutions to national challenges, adding that this partnership should be strengthened.
He cited the Decentralisation Policy, which was developed by professors from Makerere University at the request of the President, as an example of academia’s contribution to national development.
He encouraged universities to use their research capacity to identify development challenges and propose practical, evidence-based solutions that support the effective implementation of government programmes.
Mr. Kumumanya specifically urged academia to support government initiatives such as the PDM, Local Economic Development policy, and the Government’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy.
The Technical Advisor on Local Economic Development (LED), Ms. Asumpta Tibamwenda Ikiriza, noted that Universities contribute to the global body of knowledge and should undertake research to position themselves on the international stage.
She encouraged Kabale University to forge strategic partnerships to strengthen research and attract funding, noting that this would enhance the institution’s international visibility.