governance 2 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Museveni tasks NPA with building data-driven think tank network for Cabinet
President Museveni has directed the National Planning Authority (NPA) to establish a network of think tanks and academic institutions to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to Cabinet. This move aims to ensure government decisions are informed by data and expert research, moving away from hasty policy-making. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-directs-npa-to-build-data-driven-think-tank-network-for-cabinet-5617506
Cabinet has mandated the National Planning Authority (NPA) to forge partnerships with academic institutions and think tanks. The objective is to create a robust network capable of delivering data-backed, evidence-based solutions to rectify flawed government policies.
At the inaugural Yobel Biashara conference held at Makerere University, NPA Board Chairperson Professor Pamela Mbabazi highlighted the prevalence of ineffective policies stemming from rushed decision-making processes that often bypass essential research and consultation. She revealed that President Yoweri Museveni himself has instructed the NPA to bridge the gap between policymakers and research bodies, ensuring future decisions are grounded in solid data.
“It is only think tanks that can help our politicians to make the right decisions,” Professor Mbabazi stated, emphasizing the critical role these institutions play in guiding government. She pointed to instances where strategic missteps by agencies like the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) are hindering the nation’s economic aspirations.
Dr. Fred Muhumuza, head of the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Economic Forum, concurred, noting that governments globally rely on research institutions for policy guidance. He criticized URA’s current tax policies for potentially damaging the tax base and stifling job creation by aggressively targeting struggling businesses. Dr. Muhumuza also questioned recent infrastructure investment priorities and the implementation of examination fees for candidate classes, warning of long-term socio-economic consequences.
The Yobel Biashara conference, themed “Africa’s Agency in an Era of Geopolitical Change,” aimed to address these structural and economic challenges. Dr. James Magara, Chairman of Yobel Biashara, stressed the need for African nations to assert economic agency by self-funding key institutions, fostering intra-continental trade, and strategically investing in youth for future demographic shifts.