Ethical and Professional Dilemmas in Uganda in the Face of Liberalized and Highly Competitive Markets

Abstract

Ethics is at the center of UNESCO's Programme of promoting peace, justice and tolerance in the world. Uganda experiences various bioethical and ethical issues. The impact of these issues is viewed in social, religious, political, academic and cultural perspectives. Reflecting on and debating these issues influences further understanding of their bioethical and ethical implications of the developments in Uganda. In accordance with this view, the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO organized a two-day seminar held from 18th to 19th May 2017 on "Ethical and professional dilemmas in Uganda in the face of liberalized and highly competitive markets." The seminar was specifically anchored in UNESCO'S programme of Social and Human Sciences under the theme of "Learning to live together". The main objective was to raise awareness on bioethical issues in sciences, education, culture, communications and the media, thus creating a platform for bioethicists from various disciplines to share ideas on the promotion and support for the establishment of an independent, multidisciplinary and pluralist National Bioethics Committee in the country. Furthermore, the specific objective included to create awareness on the provisions of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, to share with researchers the international and national bioethics challenges and to brainstorm on the current ethical issues in the Country with the view to engaging in researching for solutions to them. A number of key stakeholders such as the National Academy of Science, the research community e.g. NARO, NHRO, the National Council for Science and Technology, the academia e.g. Makerere University, UMU, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, NEMA, Bioethics Training Centre, religious organizations, etc. were brought together. A total of fourteen papers were presented. At the end of the workshop, it was agreed to establish and operationalize the National Bio-Ethics Committee. Further recommendations were done such as the introduction of philosophical, ethical and moral education in the curriculum and to popularize the National Value System (NVS). A ten-point list of resolutions was agreed on for follow up.