General
LIS Academic Debate underlines importance of information
“The problem is not Museveni. People have misconstrued the problems of Uganda to a mere individual. This is due to lack of information.” Kahinda Otafiire expressed.
“The problem is not Museveni. People have misconstrued the problems of Uganda to a mere individual. This is due to lack of information.” Kahinda Otafiire expressed.
Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry together with Prof. J.R. Ikoja Odongo the Director Institute of Psychology and Mr. Aaron Mukwaya a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education were the panelists at the Academic Debate on 7th April 2010. The session was chaired by Prof. Kigongo-Bukenya.
The East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS), organized the Library and Information Science Education Week, with one of the activities being an Academic Debate with a topic on “Information as a resource for Democracy and good Governance”.
The gathering of students, staff and well wishers in the EASLIS hall could not have had a better way of spending their Wednesday afternoon than listening to the three panelists, who voiced their concerns and ideas on Information – a topic that many easily sweep under the carpet.
Information is of key importance. It is what the businessman in Kikuubo will rely on to make profits. In governance it is what leaders rely on as a strategic resource in making informed decisions. Information cannot be ignored because it is the focal point on which humanity exists and is able to realize development.
Starting off the debate was Prof. Ikoja who passionately highlighted that without information we are bound to backwardness and are prone to make fundamental mistakes. Information is a resource not just for the educated, but also for the uneducated and illiterate.
He applauded the government that has put up various entities to give people information such as public universities, public libraries and also through statutes like the National Records Act, the Information Act and the Electronic Media Act. These have allowed for the public to acquire and disseminate information freely. Government also transfers information through local council representatives and parliamentarians and also available in various ministries.
Prof. Ikoja however expressed concern on government’s inadequacy to provide information countrywide. He highlighted that there were only twenty public libraries countrywide, leaving over seventy districts without public libraries. “The scope of librarianship also needs to change by introducing indigenous knowledge and the internet. Government should avail sub county chiefs ICT services” he added
However, Dr. Aaron Mukwaya had a different take on the issue. “Information is not a resource, it is the core! It is the theme! Information does not thrive only in the human world, but in the entire world and its existence” emphasized Dr. Mukwaya. He further said that information collected over a period of time turns into knowledge, values, and cultures among other things.
Dr. Mukwaya aired that many a time, westernized information is vigorously fighting the values of our continent Africa. Case in point; issues debated in the Ugandan parliament such as polygamy and homosexuality are destroying African cultures.
As democracy is a process that is continuously giving people the power, there is need for constant supply of information. Government is the custodian of the people so the onus is upon them to provide the public with information.
Hon. Kahinda Otafiire opened his segment by appreciating that there can be information without democracy but there cannot be democracy without information. “Information is a recollection of incidents that determine interpretation of phenomenon.” Otafiire defined. Information therefore is important for organization and interpreting phenomenon.
Hon. Otafiire expressed that democracy in many African countries is a parasitical relationship that people do not challenge because they are uninformed. “We are enslaved in a culture of politicians telling lies. This has led to the people making wrong decisions endangering democracy.” Otafiire explained. Therefore, there cannot be democracy without information because it is from informed decisions that democracy is achieved.
As a representative of the government at the gathering, Hon. Otafiire was glad to say that the government has played a significant role in availing information to the public for it has seconded electronic media hence the many radio stations in the country, it has given freedom of expression to the citizenry and promoted press. However, he pointed out that as a government, it has the right to regulate how information is processed and in cases where mismanagement of information has been cited, the government has taken it upon itself to put in place measures to keep peace in the country, for example the closing of CBS FM.
To manage and lead people, one must be informed. It is through information that political prejudices are broken hence improving the quality of politics in a country that is thirsty for democracy to prevail. Citing examples from his Ruhinda County constituency, the charismatic Member of Parliament enthused that it was through telling his electorates the truth that he empowered them “So good leaders tell their people the truth!”
The Library and Information Science (LIS) Education Career Week continues with the LIS Symposium on 9th April 2010 from 9:00 to 5:00pm. The theme for the symposium is R-alignment of LIS Education to meet the emerging information management challenges in the Knowledge Society.
Powerpoint presentation of the day.
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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