President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged government support for proposals presented by cultural leaders during a two-day conference, emphasizing the need to strengthen collaboration between traditional institutions and public research agencies while preserving Uganda's cultural heritage. The President said the government was ready to support initiatives aimed at promoting research, preserving indigenous knowledge, and strengthening the contribution of cultural institutions to national development.
Museveni thanked cultural leaders for their fruitful engagements over the two days, assuring them that their proposals would receive government attention and support. He cited the possibility of using existing government research institutions, including Kawanda, Namulonge, and Serere, to support research initiatives undertaken by cultural institutions. This collaboration would help cultural institutions strengthen their research capacity while avoiding unnecessary duplication of resources.
The proposed collaboration is expected to provide an opportunity for traditional institutions to document, develop, and promote useful indigenous knowledge while benefiting from the technical capacity of established public research organizations. Museveni observed that government institutions already possess research infrastructure and expertise that could be harnessed to advance the objectives of cultural institutions, particularly in areas where indigenous knowledge and scientific research can complement each other.
The President also called for deliberate efforts to preserve Uganda's indigenous languages, cultures, and beneficial traditional practices, warning against cultural practices that undermine individual rights and dignity. He stressed that cultural preservation should go hand in hand with the rejection of harmful traditions, making it clear that not everything inherited from previous generations should be maintained without scrutiny.
Using wife inheritance as an example, Museveni emphasized that the practice must be based on the consent of the individuals involved rather than coercion. He stated that wife inheritance should be voluntary and never imposed by force, reinforcing the importance of respecting personal choice and dignity in the interpretation and practice of cultural traditions. His remarks highlighted the need for cultural institutions to distinguish between traditions that promote social cohesion and those that may violate individual rights.
Museveni's message reinforces the importance of cultural institutions as partners in Uganda's development, particularly in safeguarding indigenous languages, traditional knowledge, heritage, and practices that can contribute to society. The proposed partnership with government research institutions could create opportunities for greater interaction between traditional knowledge holders, researchers, and public institutions, bridging the gap between indigenous knowledge and modern scientific research.
Key points
- President Museveni pledges government support for cultural institutions to promote research and preserve indigenous knowledge.
- The government plans to collaborate with cultural institutions through existing research institutions like Kawanda, Namulonge, and Serere.
- Museveni emphasizes the need to preserve beneficial cultural practices while rejecting harmful traditions that undermine individual rights and dignity.
