Doctorate graduate researchers in the county claim there are a number of good research papers dying on shelves without their findings and intellectual recommendations being exposed to policy makers in the country.
Statistics at the United State of America based Social Science Research Council-SSRC ranks Uganda in the second position among its six partner states conducting research at the doctoral level in Africa.
South Africa is ranked in the first position, followed by Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania. The countries partner with SSRC to advance research in the social sciences and related disciplines.
However, researchers in the country claim that several policy makers in government sectors miss out on good studies that would help guide informed decisions.
Dr. Emilly Comfort Maractho, the Uganda Christian University Director for Africa Policy Center, a directorate of research at UCU emphasizes that good research papers remain on University shelves without appreciation of policy makers whom they target since they lack awareness about the conducted studies.
Dr. Rest Nayiga, a Lecturer at Makerere University, Collage of Humanity and Social Sciences appeals to researchers across the country to engage policy makers to know the studies being conducted at the time of drafting questionnaires.
Dr. Aaron Mushyengyezi, the UCU Vice Chancellor notes that research helps to guide policy makers make proper decisions over matters of importance.
He adds that research plays a great role in shaping the development of the country calling upon graduates never to stop but continue research even after studies.
Dr. Duncan Omanga, the Programs Officer for the African Peacebuilding Network and Next Generation Social Sciences which funds research papers on ending social conflicts globally operating under SSRC says Uganda is blessed to have competent scholars.
He notes that Ugandan punches above the weight compared to other countries winning more fellowships at SSRC yet they only select a small fraction depending on the number of applications they submit in comparison to other countries such as Nigeria.
So far SSRC has given out over 400 fellowships to doctoral students and 250 fellowships to doctoral graduates across Africa. In Uganda, 82 percent of the beneficiaries come from Makerere University. The remaining percentage is shared by the rest of the universities.
Besides, research funded by foreign countries, also the government funds several research studies at various levels but also it is mandatory for one to be awarded a diploma and degree at all higher institutions of learning in the country.
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