By Mulengera Reporters
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged Ugandan universities to prioritize research and innovation tailored to solving the country’s and Africa’s distinct challenges.
While speaking at the 5th graduation ceremony of King Caesar University in Kampala on Monday, Tayebwa emphasized the importance of homegrown solutions, encouraging academic institutions to focus on transformative education and meaningful societal impact.
“Invest more in groundbreaking research and innovations because the problems we have are unique and will require unique solutions which we must develop from here,” he told the gathering.
He noted that although international funding for research has declined, the Ugandan government is stepping up support. Tayebwa challenged universities to align their programs with national development needs.
“You have done your part, and I believe where the university has reached now, its growth is unstoppable,” he remarked. “Let’s invest more in upholding what we have achieved in quality assurance, and we shall attract more. The moment we keep it up, very soon this university shall be the best in East Africa.”
He pointed to global success stories like China’s discovery of artemisinin (Coartem) for malaria treatment as proof of how locally-driven research can yield solutions with international impact.
“Now I request you to invest more in groundbreaking research, more in innovation, because the problems we have are unique studies. And they will need unique solutions.”
The university’s chancellor, His Majesty King Caesar Mulenga T.G., who also serves as the Honorary Consul of Vietnam to Uganda, called for the integration of technology into all academic disciplines.
He proposed that every student take a short course in modern tech fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, virtual reality, and the internet of things.
“When they leave here, they should not be far away apart from the technology that is driving their sectors,” he said. “So, we request management from now onwards, from this graduation, that they put technology at the center of this training at King Caesar University.”
This year’s graduation ceremony saw 280 students awarded degrees and diplomas, with 224 receiving degrees and 56 earning diplomas. Vice Chancellor Dr. Charity Basaza Mulenga reaffirmed the university’s dedication to gender. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
