By Victor Turinawe.
The Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, has urged researchers to conduct purposeful and interest-driven research aimed at addressing challenges affecting communities and society.
Prof. Nuwagaba made the call on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, while delivering a keynote address at the second Annual Uganda Christian University (UCU) Research Symposium held at Nkoyoyo Hall, Mukono Campus.
The three-day symposium, running from November 4 to November 6, 2026, is being held under the theme, “Research, Innovation, Engagement and Pedagogy.”
Prof. Nuwagaba emphasised that meaningful research should be driven by personal interests, clear intentions and a deep understanding of the challenges researchers seek to address.
“We do research intentionally, and we must be guided by research interests. We must feel, walk, live and experience it; we don’t do it out of nowhere,” he said.
He also challenged researchers to specialise and establish themselves in particular areas of study, explaining that mastering a research field increases the chances of attracting funding and support for research projects.
“Master and perfect your area of research to ease the funding of your research projects. People will fund you because your project is visible and has an impact on society through solving challenges that existed in that field before you undertook your research project,” he explained.
Prof. Nuwagaba further cautioned academics against engaging in partisan politics, arguing that political affiliations could undermine public confidence in their research findings and professional credibility.
“As professors, desist from partisan politics. The moment you become partisan, you create bias among the public, and henceforth, the credibility of your research work is questioned. Many people will always question its credibility. Do your work and let politicians also do their work,” he said.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Grace Lubaale, described research as an obligation for academics and challenged university lecturers to make regular scholarly publications a priority.
“As researchers, especially those of you in academia, you must embrace publishing regularly to keep relevant in your field. A lecturer who goes from January to December without publishing a paper is in the wrong place,” he said.
Representing the UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr David Mugawe, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting research by providing an enabling environment for researchers to undertake their work.
“UCU had invest more than UGX 1 billion in research through its Department of Research, Partnerships and Innovation, citing the recently disseminated Olutindo Research Project, which focuses on strengthening communication between parents and adolescents as part of efforts to address rising teenage pregnancies,” explained Mugawe.
