Minister Musasizi Urges EPRC to Produce Evidence Based Research to Spur Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Agenda 

By Wilfred Arinda Nshekantebirwe 

The Minister of  Finance, Hon. Henry Musasizi, has called on the Economic Policy Research Centre [EPRC] to intensify the production of evidence-based economic research to support Uganda’s drive towards a $500 billion economy by 2040.

Musasizi made the call on Monday during a meeting with the Board and Management of EPRC at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development offices in Kampala.[MoFPED]

He said credible data and analysis are central to guiding government decisions on the country’s socio-economic transformation, and that EPRC must align its work with the national development priorities.

“Evidence-based research is critical for policy makers to make informed decisions on the socio-economic transformation of the country,” Musasizi said.

“There is need for more evidence-based research to ensure the anchor sectors, Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Minerals, and Science, Technology and Innovation [ATMS], deliver Uganda’s tenfold growth agenda.”

The Minister noted that as government implements the National Development Plan IV [NDP IV] and the Tenfold Growth Strategy, policy decisions must be grounded in research that reflects Uganda’s realities.

EPRC was established in 1993 by MoFPED and Makerere University to build in-country policy research capacity. Over the years, it has grown into Uganda’s leading economic policy think tank.

The Executive Director of EPRC, *Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana*, said the Centre remains committed to supporting evidence-informed policy making and contributing to national development strategies.

She added that EPRC’s work is fully aligned with NDP IV and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

“EPRC is committed to continue playing a central role in supporting evidence-informed policy making,” Dr. Ssewanyana said.

She disclosed that the Centre is also prioritizing stakeholder engagement and policy uptake, as well as the digitization of research dissemination and knowledge management to ensure research findings reach decision makers faster.

Board members and senior management who attended the meeting reaffirmed EPRC’s commitment to partnering with government to provide timely, relevant and practical research to accelerate Uganda’s economic transformation.

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