Education
Local universities urged to generate new knowledge
“As Ugandan and African scholars, we must wake up and participate in the generation of new knowledge and also contribute to global discussions in all fields as we have lagged for so long,” Twesigye says.
Some of the participants with the forum speakers and Ibanda University leaders. (Credit: Stephen Nuwagira)
By: Stephen Nuwagira, Journalist @New Vision
Uganda universities should participate in discussions about continental and unresolved global issues to provide new knowledge and perspectives.
This will help to reduce the dominance of the global North in research and knowledge generation, says Prof Charles Twesigye, the vice chairman of BioCosmos Uganda.
So, Uganda and Africa generally have largely been consumers of such Euro-centric knowledge and viewpoints, ignoring innovations and knowledge from the global South.
“As Ugandan and African scholars, we must wake up and participate in the generation of new knowledge and also contribute to global discussions in all fields as we have lagged for so long,” Twesigye says.
He made the remarks during an academic forum at Ibanda University under the theme: Intelligent design through the lenses of African scholars on September 10, 2026. Intelligent design is an alternative theory that focuses on two areas: the origin of life and the origin of the universe.
The theory examines whether certain features of the universe and living organisms are best explained by intelligent causation rather than purely undirected processes, like the Big Bang or evolution theories.
He made the remarks during an academic forum at Ibanda University under the theme: Intelligent design through the lenses of African scholars on September 10, 2026. Intelligent design is an alternative theory that focuses on two areas: the origin of life and the origin of the universe.
The theory examines whether certain features of the universe and living organisms are best explained by intelligent causation rather than purely undirected processes, like the Big Bang or evolution theories.
BioCosmos Uganda is working to support indigenous scholars to explore alternative theories, like intelligent design, to research about the origin of life and universe, arguing that there is no agreed position on the issue yet.
We need to come out and write our story as Ugandans and Africans. Otherwise, the West will tell it for us, and we should not complain, said BioCosmos Uganda’s Dr Joel Isanga, also a biochemistry lecturer at Makerere University.
Speaking at the event, Ibanda University vice chancellor Prof Peter Kanyandago said the engagement was timely. He prayed for greater collaboration between the two institutions to foster Afro-centric research and knowledge generation.
He was positive that embracing the alternative theory would help deepen knowledge development both in the social and natural sciences.
Dr Imelda Kemeeza, the director of Ibanda University directorate postgraduate studies and training, said the forum supported the university’s quest to foster rigorous academic research by lecturers and students.
We need to come out and write our story as Ugandans and Africans. Otherwise, the West will tell it for us, and we should not complain, said BioCosmos Uganda’s Dr Joel Isanga, also a biochemistry lecturer at Makerere University.
Speaking at the event, Ibanda University vice chancellor Prof Peter Kanyandago said the engagement was timely. He prayed for greater collaboration between the two institutions to foster Afro-centric research and knowledge generation.
He was positive that embracing the alternative theory would help deepen knowledge development both in the social and natural sciences.
Dr Imelda Kemeeza, the director of Ibanda University directorate postgraduate studies and training, said the forum supported the university’s quest to foster rigorous academic research by lecturers and students.