By Prossy Nandudu
The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development is to increase funding towards research and development from the current sh300b.
The aim is to speed up research of high-value crops with a higher market appeal.
This was revealed by Joseph Enyimu, the acting commissioner for economic development and policy research in the Ministry of Finance during the 14th National Competitiveness Forum that took place on Thursday at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
“I would like to confirm to you that government commitment to R&D is on the upward trend, we had about sh300b in the budget, but through the guidance of his excellency, we have a directive to double it under the STI desk. But the idea is that research should be informed by a competitive approach, not just accessing grants,” said Enyimu.
Enyimu was responding to concerns from Dr Michael Ugen, the Director of Research at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) who highlighted adequate financing towards research as a limitation for low cotton production.
According to Ugen, there used to be two varieties of cotton grown in Uganda, one for fabric and another for other uses including pharmaceuticals.
He adds that these were grown under two different weather conditions with specific seeds for each region, however, these have been mixed up.
The forum was organized by the Ministry of Finance under the theme ‘Boosting private sector investment in agro industry to take advantage of regional opportunities’.
The event was opened by Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Patrick Ocailapon on behalf of Finance Minister Matia Kasaija.
