The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba officially launched the Uganda Development Information Center (UDIC) at the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Makerere University. The launching of the center heralds a new avenue to researchers and readers because it is an open access reference library that serves a one-stop for persons seeking World Bank documents and information on the Bank’s operations.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba officially launched the Uganda Development Information Center (UDIC) at the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Makerere University. The launching of the center heralds a new avenue to researchers and readers because it is an open access reference library that serves a one-stop for persons seeking World Bank documents and information on the Bank’s operations.

This array of resources includes; Project and Operational Documents, Data and Statistics Publications, Current World Bank published documents, Audio-Visual Materials, Ugandan Government Publications, Statistical Abstracts, Budget Estimates, Economic Survey, and the Online Treasure Store.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana , Executive Director, EPRC said that, the launching of the Center came as a result of the partnership between the World Bank and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC). The World Bank decided to entrust EPRC with its Public Information Center (PIC) which is now UDIC and its benefits include; Enhancement of capacity of the EPRC researchers, improvement in quality of research output from University students and academia, enhancement of quality of university teaching and instant access to information.

The EPRC conducts; high quality and policy oriented research which is guided by a medium term strategic plan research agenda; core research initiated by in-house researchers; and commissioned research which is demand driven but always in line with research thematic areas. Additionally, collaborative research with Makerere has yielded an internship program targeting undergraduate students. She paid tribute to the World Bank for deciding to host its PIC at the EPRC noting that “The launching of the UDIC at EPRC will therefore increase the Center’s visibility and interaction with a large number of researchers, scholars and the general public.”

The Acting Chairperson of the EPRC Board and Commissioner for Economic Development Policy and Research, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr Keith Muhakanizi noted that the center has both physical and online library facilities and its addition to the EPRC will go along way in enhancing its online information resources. He encouraged EPRC to embark on initiatives aimed at transforming itself into a knowledge based institution. Some of the initiatives include; Developing a corporate taxonomy, standards and practices, enhance external partnership and networking with other libraries and information centers. He urged for collaboration between UDIC and other institutions like; the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), Uganda Christian University, Mukono (UCU), The Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Gulu University to enable them access and profit from this important information resource.

World Bank Country Manager, Uganda Ms. Kundhavi Kadiresan lauded the Management and Staff of EPRC for putting in place the necessary infrastructure to house the World Bank’s PIC in Uganda. Citing her own experience as a student in New York, she extolled the role played by the PIC then in inspiring her to pursue her studies diligently and scale the academic and corporate ladders. She therefore trusted that the UDIC would be of similar influence to hundreds upon thousands of aspiring students. The Country Manager then proceeded to sign a Memorandum of Association (MoA) with the Executive Director, EPRC .

The Chief Guest Prof. Baryamureeba congratulated the EPRC upon signing MoA, noting that “as researchers, academicians and development partners often need to come up with a common agenda on how to tackle development problems, the EPRC a well-known independent and internationally recognized “think tank” through UDIC will provide a favourable atmosphere to make this a reality.” He added that the fountain of knowledge, facts, figures and opinions as wells as theories on development was now strategically located at the Makerere Community’s doorstep.

Prof. Baryamereeba emphasized that no one can dispute the fact that knowledge is power. “Knowledge from books, journals, reference books, the mass media and institutions of learning play a big role in empowering our people, enlightening them, liberating them, motivating them and even developing them materially and intellectually.” He shared his quest to witness thirteen thousand students leave Makerere with good research skills and he pledged the University’s support to the EPRC, noting that the Center’s success would also positively impact on Makerere.

The presentation of a paper on “Managing expectations of Oil discovery in Uganda ” by Dr. Lawrence Bategeka, EPRC and subsequent discussions by the panelists constituted the next session. Panelists were Mr. Godber Tumushabe Executive Director, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba Consultant, REEV Consult International and Mr. Angelo Izama, Senior Reporter, Daily Monitor. The lively session was chaired by Mr. Ernest Rubondo, Commissioner for Petroleum Exploration and Production , Ministry of Energy.

 
The UDIC was officially launched on 2nd March 2010 at the EPRC and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:45pm and closed on weekends and public holidays.

Click here for Dr. Ssewanyana's full opening remarks

Click here for Prof. Baryamureeba's full speech

Click here for Dr. Bategeka's presentation and here for the full paper

Mr. Godber Tumushabe's Reactions to the paper can be found here as well as Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba's presentation