India Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaking at the inauguration of the Uganda Campus of National Forensic Sciences University (PHOTO/Courtesy)
JINJA—The first overseas campus of India’s National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) was on Wednesday opened in Uganda’s Jinja, with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar describing it as a ”significant milestone” in bilateral ties.
”We have assembled here to mark a significant milestone in our bilateral cooperation. India’s National Forensic Sciences University is opening its campus in Uganda, partnering with the Ugandan people’s defence forces,” he said while speaking at the inauguration of the campus.
Addressing the event attended by Uganda’s Deputy Prime Minister, ministers and top officials, Jaishankar said today is a proud day for both India and Uganda.
The minister noted that it is actually the first government university of India opening a campus anywhere abroad and added that as a Member of Parliament from the state of Gujarat, where the NFSU is located, it is a particular pleasure for him to see this university take the lead.
”And by doing so, they are realising a project. That is the personal vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added
The National Forensic Sciences University is an institution of national importance and it’s world’s first university dedicated exclusively to forensic sciences, he said.
”For the past few years, we have seen the courses and forensic sciences were in very high demand from students in Africa on the various scholarships provided by the government of India. One of the reasons why the stakeholders thought about a campus in Uganda was in fact the high acceptance of this university among students from Africa,” he said.
The inauguration of the campus is reflective of the vision and the relationship of the highest leadership of both countries.
”Our two countries have robust defence relations. India has been regularly training and exchanging with UPDF under its economic and technical cooperation program. About 50 UPDF officers travel to India every year to take defence courses, ranging from short term ones to up to one year,” Jaishankar said.
”I’m happy to note that our discussions have raised the possibility of further expansion of defence cooperation in the last few months and years. Cooperation between the National Defence College and the newly constituted NDC of Uganda is also under consideration,” he added.
The National Forensic Sciences University is an institution of national importance and it’s world’s first university dedicated exclusively to forensic sciences
On her part, Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama and Woman MP for Mayuge District, commended the Government of India for helping Uganda establish the National Forensic Sciences University – Uganda Campus.
She said that the act demonstrates the excellent diplomatic relationship between India and Uganda, and will create forensic and allied experts that manage complex security situations.
Nakadama pledged government support to the National Forensic Sciences University to meet its expectations and further enhance the existing cordial bilateral relations. “This is the first National Forensic Sciences University branch that India has built outside their country,” remarked the 3 Deputy Prime Minister.
Nakadama further mentioned that the Uganda Government has already secured 130 acres of land with a 99-year-old lease for the construction of the permanent National Forensic Sciences University – Uganda campus.
The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja recognized the strategic vision between President Museveni and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in building modern and efficient economies based on science and technology to spur social-economic transformation.
He said that both Uganda and India need a shared full of peace, adding that the University will facilitate technological transfer and enhance defence capabilities to address emerging threats. “The investigative capacities of our legal experts will be greatly enhanced with this university,” he concluded.
Speaking at the same ceremony on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Deputy CDF Lt Gen Peter Elwelu commended President Museveni for his earlier guidance on building the workability of the tripartite doctrine; where any assistance must seek to build internal capability, as evidenced by the day’s security-related scientific education at URDCC.
Lt Gen Elwelu noted that the coming of the National Forensic Sciences University will have a positive bearing on the national security architecture since it will plug the gap of the acute shortage of forensic experts both in Uganda and Africa, bust crime more easily and in a scientific way, aid more research in forensic science crime management and add on the already existing curriculum. “By building capacity and capability enhancement, UPDF is becoming more of a highly productive force,” said Lt Gen Elwelu, adding that UPDF shall remain focused on providing conditions for investment in Uganda and beyond.
The D/CDF also remarked the management of contemporary security challenges calls for science and technology. “The spirit of science and technology has taken over man,” he said.
The D/CDF further noted that the most serious threat to man is science, not conventional wars and crimes, thus necessitating the adoption of science and technology to safeguard our human life and security.
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