Vision Group, UMI to support policy research and social economic transformation

“It is true that knowledge is like money. This is because to be of value, knowledge must circulate and in circulating, it can increase in quantity and hopefully in value,” American novelist Louis L'Amour says.

Such words of wisdom filled the executive boardroom at the premises of Vision Group on First Street Plot 19/21 Industrial in Kampala on October 4, 2023. 

This was when Don Wanyama, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vision Group and a team from UMI, led by director general Dan Nkata.

The two institutions have agreed to work together and sealed the deal with a memorandum of understanding (MOU). They signed an MOU with the belief that the partnership is going to improve policies and social-economic transformation. This is also expected to help amplify UMI’s research and influence government decisions.

"We hope to mobilise resources to apply what comes from the research institutions,” Wanyama said, adding: “We are going to use evidence-based research".

According to Wanyama, Vision Group is going to provide its platforms, including New Vision (print and online), TVs, and radios, as well as online and outdoor advertising, to promote research generated by UMI.

Wanyama described Vision Group as a leading multimedia company in Uganda, providing trusted news and entertainment across print, radio, TV and digital platforms since March 1986. 

"Our commitment to journalistic integrity and innovation has made us a trusted source of information for over three decades," he said.

Nkata described the MOU as timely, pointing out that there is outstanding consideration and emphasis for community engagement across higher institutions of learning.

Dr James Nkata director general UMI. This was after the signing of MoU between Vision Group and Uganda Management Institute at the Vision Group head offices in Kampala. (Photo by Moses Nsubuga)

He said that there is going to be enhanced utilisation of scholarly knowledge generated by students and academic research at UMI to improve the quality of life of the population. 

According to him, they were breaking the barriers. Institutions of higher learning put emphasis on lecturers and laboratory engagement of students, with minimal focus on how to use the knowledge for social and economic transformation of the population. This is set to change and stop the waste of knowledge in dissertations and research reports, most of which are shelved or kept piled in libraries. 

“UMI is looking at avenues like this MOU we are signing today to implement sustainable evidence-based interventions for quality-of-life improvement,” Nkata said.

Specifically, UMI and Vision Group shall collaborate to mobilise funds for the translation of research reports into community-based interventions, document progress, and impact evidence-based interventions in the mass media outlets under Vision Group and academic journals.

(L-R) Sidney Miria Babanga, head of Special Projects Hub vision, Lorraine Tukahirwa, acting marketing manager, Felix Osike, Deputy editor in chief, Jude Tibemanya Rwamisisi Sr research fellow, UMI, Vision Group CEO, Don Wanyama, Dr James Nkata director general UMI, Dr John Nakabago director finance and HR, Prof, Rose Namara Chief research and innovation centre. This was after the signing of MOU between Vision group and Uganda management Institute at the vision head offices in Kampala. (Photo by Moses Nsubuga).

In addition, Vision Group’s education expo, mobilise staff of UMI and beneficially communities to feature in talk shows on Vision Group mass media outlets, publish pullouts and feature in proceedings of quarterly public policy dialogues at UMI. He said that Vision Group will also carry popular versions of the policy briefs as well as posters and infographics related to the interventions.

UMI in brief

UMI started in 1969 as a Management Development Institute (MDI), then known as the Institute of Public Administration. The Institute was mandated to conduct intensive in-service training to quickly develop management capacity in the public service.