200805141317 | Legislators in Uganda out of touch with reality on scientists.

Legislators in Uganda out of touch with reality on scientists.

LEGISLATORS on the agriculture committee want the retirement age for scientists raised from 60 to 70 years. The recommendation is contained in the committee’s report on the 2008/09 budget estimates for the agriculture ministry, which was presented to the budget committee on Monday.

The MPs noted that at 60 years, scientists are still active and very useful to the country. The chairman, Deus Bikwasizehi (NRM), explained that most scientists acquire PhDs after 50 and were still fresh at 60. But the average life expectancy in Uganda is only 47 years, sugesting that most if not all scientists would die working.

“Globally, scientists continue to be utilised at a later age,” he said. He added that raising the retirement age would help reduce the number of scientists leaving the country for greener pastures.
Bikwasizehi said the budget for the agricultural sector was projected to increase by 18%, from sh202.47b in 2007/08 to about sh240b in 2008/09.

The budget, he commented, would focus on projects to address unemployment such as the National Agricultural Advisory Services.

The committee chief said sh40b more had been allocated to the agricultural advisory services programme for the supply of improved seed varieties and tools to farmers for the production of coffee, tea, cotton, fish and fruits.

But the MPs were concerned that agricultural research was mainly funded by donors, which is not sustainable.
Bikwasizehi said more funds would be given for rural agriculture and infrastructural development.