Uganda Nacional Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) and Makerere University, its national partner held a successful local version of the project kick-off meeting in Makerere University on the 26 June 2014. The meeting was hosted by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Ernest Okello Ogwang.

The meeting brought together Project coordinators of the respective partner institutions and working group members, namely: Dr. Maxwell Otim Onapa (UNCST), Associate Prof. Gerald Eilu (Makerere University), Dr. Julius Butime (Makerere University), Dr. Samuel Bagabo (Integrated Rural Development Initiative), Ms. Deborah Kasule (UNCST) and Ms. Lillian Tukahirwa (Makerere University).  Partners discussed progress in project implementation, clarified roles and agreed on timelines and strategies for optimizing institutional resources to ensure success of the project.

We captured one of the moments of the meeting as shown in the picture below.

Some of the members of UNCST & Makerere University ENRICH project implementation teams pose for a photograph after the 1^st joint partners’ meeting which took place in office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics’ office

During the meeting it was noted that project implementation was on-going with no major challenges.  The UNCST team reported that the data collection tool was tested on selected stakeholders in June 2014 and that they had already embarked on collecting data on the Status of STI activities and Management in Uganda. They however noted that the pilot exercise was a bit challenging because many of the energy sector stakeholders don’t have access to internet, while others found challenges in self-administration of the questionnaire. 

Way forward

UNCST observes a need for a more user-friendly format that is flexible enough to administer in hardcopy, as e-mail attachment, or telephone interview.  This has suggestion been shared with partners at African Virtual University who have administrative rights over the instrument and it will hopefully be resolved shortly.

More information: UNCST - Newsletter July 2014