Musenero cautions Africa scientists on copying science from elsewhere.

By Christopher Bendana

Kampala

Monica Musenero was blunt like a doctor with their patient, blaming African scientists for doing little to translate knowledge into products.

She said this was because scientists copy knowledge from countries where scientists are answering their societal challenges which are different from ours.

“Stop delegating thinking,” she said as she launched the Uganda National Research Outlook Report on Wednesday at Speke Hotel, Munyonyo in Kampala.

Delegates from multiple Science Governing Councils (SGCs) including those from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa listened attentively as she implored them to use science to spur development rather than the current science that has led to dependence and underdevelopment.

“SGCs must be centers of thought,” she said. “Look, most of our science is done as if we are in a developed system.”

She questioned the stocking of African shops and supermarkets with foreign imported products, and the emergency of plagues and epidemics that African scientists struggle to handle.

Musenero asked the scientists why they are interested in publishing their work in journals not read by policy makers in their countries.

“It is a great speech,” said a Ghana scientist.

Back to the report, Steven Sebbale, the Principal Investigator from Uganda National of Science and Technology, highlighted the key findings.

The majority of the Ugandan researcher is male, 49 years old, and had his doctorate degree in the Global North.

Much of the research is at public institutions especially in the biological sciences.

About 65% of the research is foreign funded, and there are many partnerships and collaborations with researchers from the global north.

There has been an increase in peer-reviewed journal publications.

Erostus Nsubuga, founder and managing director at Agro Genetic Technologies (AGT), an agriculture biotech private company implored SGCs to invite the private in their meetings to hear their concerns.

“How will you know what we want if you don’t hear from us, and how do we the private-sector know what you have researched about?”

He revealed that they can also make a contribution to research.

“I am able to sponsor a PhD student,” he said.