education 8 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugandan Universities' Research Fails to Impact Policy, Experts Warn
Experts are raising concerns that the growing volume of academic research produced by Ugandan universities is not effectively influencing public policy or community development. There's a call for research to be more practically oriented and community-engaged. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/experts-warn-uganda-s-university-research-is-failing-to-influence-policy-5451634
Universities across Uganda are generating an increasing amount of academic research, but a significant portion is not translating into tangible impacts on public policy, industry practices, or community well-being. This concern was highlighted at Lira University’s recent research dissemination conference.
Scholars and higher education officials are urging a shift towards research that is more practical and community-centred. Professor Marus Eton of Muni University emphasised the need for researchers to involve communities and stakeholders from the initial stages of their work to ensure relevance. He challenged researchers to move beyond an “Ivory Tower” approach, where studies are conducted in isolation, and instead, create knowledge collaboratively with communities to address pressing societal challenges like food insecurity, climate change, and public health.
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has echoed these sentiments, noting that academic research has historically had limited influence on national policy. Dr. Bernard Omech, Director of Graduate Training and Research at Lira University, stressed that research should not be conceptualised independently from the communities it aims to serve, advocating for innovations to begin and end with the community.
Beyond academia, the importance of research in informing business decisions was also discussed. Businessman Dr. Patrick Olet shared how research helped his school overcome challenges of low enrollment and poor infrastructure, leading to significant growth. Participants agreed that strengthening collaboration between universities, communities, industry, and policymakers is crucial for research to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s development and to attract further funding and public trust.