Gulu University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Openjuru, George Ladaah has appealed to Journalists and Researchers in Uganda to collaborate in transforming societies since all of them are writers with a purpose.
“I admire journalists, they write news article everyday but researchers can’t publish journal academic article everyday but all are writers with a purpose. They should all coexist for societal betterment”. He remarked.
According to Prof. Openjuru, journalists tend to interact and frequently reports politics making them agree and disagree a lot with politicians and neglects researchers and their findings yet certain researches are vital for solving societal challenges politicians have no clue on.
“Instead, journalist should get information to challenge policy makers and researchers should check journalist work if they highlight societal core issues that needs address” Prof. Openjuru made the remarks while opening a three-day workshop on Research Based Advocacy hosted by Gulu University with support from Building Stronger Universities Project at Gulu University main Library on July,28 th 2025.
He challenged that there is an urgent need for a parliamentary dialogue that should bring the policy makers, the journalist and researchers on a round table discussing societal problem based on a research glance. Thus, assisting in problem solving through creating awareness on problems, providing evidence-based information and hence advocating for positive change directly to policy makers to uplift the community.
William Odinga Balikudembe, one of the science journalist trainers who presented a paper to the researchers said the media and the researchers shall have perfect working relationship provided researchers are willing to simplify their work from academic jargons and journal styles in to journalistic context.
VC with researchers, CSOs and science Journalists
The workshop is aiming to build connections between researchers in Gulu University, science journalists and civil society activists in Uganda. It will also promote dissemination of research conducted at Gulu University to the public via the media outlets and civil society organizations as well as enhance researchers’ skill in research communication and advocacy. Lastly the workshop will launch a network of researchers, science journalists and CSOs for research-based advocacy.
Some of the science journalists in Uganda pose with the VC and the BSU-IV team.
The workshop has participants ranging from different influential groups in society including Researchers from Gulu University, Civil Society Organizations, Science journalist from Uganda among others.
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