On 28 July 2007 I wrote in this 'freedom of speech arena' a post entitled, "Science education and science development in Uganda" (find link to it at the bottom of this post). I waited for four years to witness (with my physical presence at the scene) one of my wishes come to pass. In the July 2007 post, I expressed my opinion, albeit humbly, to the effect that one of the strategies for promoting science education and science development in Uganda should be throwing political weight behind local scientific achievements that draws with it big media coverage.
When on Thursday 24 November 2011 at Makerere University campus the President of the Republic of Uganda was, in the presence of all kinds of media cameras, initially inspecting and later being driven in a home made electric vehicle, an output of investment in science, I recalled my wishes of July 2007. Credit be given to the local media who, a week earlier, had given the Kiira EV car very good publicity mileage. One of the missing pieces in the puzzle was political weight. It came and it came big. Thank God for an answered prayer.
While the day's activities focused mainly on the environmentally friendly Kiira EV (zero tail emissions), the President also visited stalls in which were displayed a selection of just a few innovations that have taken place in the various Schools and Colleges of Makerere University. How I wish the President could sway more political will and media cameras to each of the Schools or Colleges some day for these innovations to be shared with the public through the media.
I better say this here because it might not be publicly expressed elsewhere that the responsibility of organising this Presidential visit was put on the shoulders of not just any scientist but one with accolades for his excellence in scientific innovations. Kudos to Prof. Steven Allan Nyanzi, a respected member of Makerere University Senate for planning the day's actvities. From my privileged position, I know how much appreciation Prof. Nyanzi needs for the patience, tolerance and wise guidance he exhibited. He managed a team with varied interests and unpredictable capabilities of response to new ideas and developments. He allowed the ideas to mix freely while tolerating the varied behaviours of the members before guiding the discussions to a logical conclusion - an agreement. The situation sounds very much like an experiemnt in chemistry which Prof. Nyanzi has competently managed over the years.
Addressing invited guests after the test drive, the President pledged continued support to scientists in the country (better remuneration and more funds for research). How I wish the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to Treasury or the latter's deputy were present to listen to the President's statements which I wish were phrased as 'directives'. Well well, maybe somebody took the message to them. They needed to see for themselves what motivation of scientists and more funding support to research can produce.
May God help Makerere continue to build for the future.
2 comments:
Thanks for the post and for shedding light on the behind-the-scenes work that was done to ensure a successful event. In many successful events of this nature, it is easy to overlook people like Prof. Nyanzi and his team.
The KIIRA EV team was, on 4 December 2011, introduced to the congregation in Watoto Church in Kampala, Uganda. They received not only a big hand but also a well deserved standing ovation. The team leader, Paul Isaac Musasizi, spoke humbly and made reference to the Bible story of Moses and the burning bush. He said, they simply used what they had/have in their hands to glorify God. How humbly sweet! SGO
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