RESEARCH IS EXTREMLY UNDER FUNDED IN UGANDA–KABALE RESEARCH INSTITUTE DIRECTOR

BY VANANSIO KAKOGOSO

IN KABALE—-

Scientists and researchers in Rubanda and Kabale district are
demanding for increased funding to research and innovation.
The demand was raised today during the harvesting of confined filed
trail four of genetically modified Irish potatoes at Kacwekanao zonal
agriculture research and development centre in Rubanda district.
According to National Council of Science and Technology the sector’s
vote is still far below the required allocation of 1 percent of the
national budget yet a huge burden of expectation is placed on them.
Currently science and innovations receive about 100 billion Shillings
annually.
The Director Kacwekanao zonal agriculture research and development
institute Alex Barekye says that researchers and innovators need a
financial boost to be able to facilitate the incubation processes of
their innovations and achieve commercial value out of them.
He says that currently there research depends on donor money which is
not sustainable. He adds that this financial year government gave the
institute only 900 milion shillings which are not enough.
The Chairman National Bio-safety committee Dr Charles Mugoya accused
government of not playing its role to allow the usage of genetically
modified organisms as a way to solve food insecurity issues in the
country.
John Karugaba a farmer from Hamurwa Town council Rubanda district said
that as farmers they are willing to adopt genetically modified
potatoes to reduce on late bright. He also lashed at politicians who
are opposing science saying they do not care about farmers.