President Museveni has said that there is need to invest in science disciplines in order to achieve the desirable goals.
Museveni made the remarks in a speech read for him by the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi during the inaugural commemoration of world Science Day whose national celebrations were held at Kyambogo University auditorium.
He said that the science disciplines should not be underestimated since all first world countries are where they are because of their spirited investment in science, engineering and Information Communication Technology.
He noted that as the whole world grapples with the adverse consequences of COVID-19, each country is looking at its science professionals in the fields of biology and chemistry to quickly come up with a vaccine to stop deaths.
The President hailed the health workers in the country for working around the clock in medical research in partnership with foreign based Ugandan professionals to find the vaccine for Corona and expressed optimism that a Ugandan will be part of professionals researching about the vaccine.
Museveni said medical professionals in Uganda also helped in mitigating the spread of Ebola and the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever that were affecting sub Saharan Africa.
He applauded initiatives to boost the interests of children into science and engineering like the Young Engineers organisation that has children with years of seven that are doing own projects like building conveyer belts, food mixers among others.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye said Uganda is currently funding a number of innovations like a new malarial drug, coffee resistant planting varieties, among others which is in line with the vision of his Ministry; “A scientifically proficient and technologically advanced innovative society.”
Elioda said Ugandans are working with engineers in Japan and will soon put a satellite into the planetary orbit and will rely on own information to detect catastrophes like floods, locust raids, landslides and earthquakes, plane accidents among others to lessen the adversity of mother nature.
During the function Dr. Kaleebu, the Executive Director of Uganda Virus Institute was recognised with a plaque for his stewardship in medical research about the corona disease.
The United Nations Organisation has gazetted the 10 November to be marked as World Science for Peace and Development.
The current crisis should serve as a wakeup call regarding the urgency for increased financing and support of scientific research and collaboration.
This concerns not only the natural sciences, but also the social and human and sciences.
World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.
The purpose of the day is to strengthen public awareness of the role of science for peaceful and sustainable societies; Promote national and international solidarity for shared science between countries; Renew national and international commitment for the use of science for the benefit of societies; and draw attention to the challenges faced by science in raising support for the scientific
