Through its ambassador to Uganda, Per Lindgard, the Swedish government yesterday announced that it is cutting off its funds in research at Ugandan public universities and re-directing its resources to promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
While speaking at yesterday’s annual joint review between public universities and Swedish International Development Agency at Makerere University’s main hall, ambassador Lindgard revealed that they expect the Ugandan government to take over the research funding.
“We expect the government of Uganda and the universities shall allocate more local funding to post-graduate training and research and that new ways of partnership shall be promoted.” ambassador Lindgard said.
Lindgard added that their new development cooperation framework with Uganda for 2018-2023 has necessitated resource realignment for greater ‘respect for human rights, rule of law, a stronger democracy and greater gender equality.’
Over the past 15 years, Sweden has injected $101m (UGXs374b), an average of $6.7m (Shs25b) per year, in 9 public universities, mainly in research. Makerere University has been the biggest beneficiary of the Sweden research funds.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Makerere University Vice Chancellor acknowledged the support they have been getting from Sweden, something he believes has played a big role in making the Wandegeya-based University one of the highest ranking Universities in the world.
“This contribution has been tremendous and it has had a major effect,” Nawangwe said. He added that money from Sweden has helped the university to train 220 doctoral students and double graduate students over the past 15 years.
