Uganda National Health Research Organisation Act, 2011

Section Commencement Section This Act shall come into force on the date appointed by the Minister by statutory instrument, and the Minister may appoint different dates for the commencement of different provisions of this Act.

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— " approved research " means health research approved by the Board under this Act; " Board " means the Board established by section 8 ; " Chairperson " means the Chairperson of the Board ; " constituent research institute " means a constituent research institute specified in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to this Act; " currency point " has the meaning assigned to it in the First Schedule to this Act; " Director General " means the head of the Organisation appointed under section 15 (3); " essential national health research " means priority research on a country-specific health problem; " health " means the presence of physical, mental, social and spiritual well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; " health research " means using scientific methods to generate new knowledge to deal with an identified health problem or curiosity; " Minister " means the Minister responsible for health ; " national health research plan " means a periodic policy document describing research strategy, priorities and programmes of the Organisation ; " Organisation " means the Uganda National Health Resea...

Section Establishment of the Organisation Section There is established an Organisation to be known as the Uganda National Health Research Organisation . The Organisation shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue or be sued in its corporate name. The Organisation may, for and in connection with its objects and functions under this Act, purchase, hold, manage and dispose of any property whether movable or immovable, and may enter into any contract and other transactions as may be expedient and do any other act or thing that in law may be done by a body corporate, subject to the provisions of this Act.

Section Composition of Organisation Section The Organisation shall comprise— the Board ; the Secretariat; the constituent research institutes; and any other recognized institution or entity, which undertakes health or similar research.

Section Object of the Organisation Section The object of the Organisation is to create a sustainable culture of health research by providing policy and ethical guidelines and national co­ordination and regulation of health research .

Section Functions of the Organisation Section The functions of the Organisation are— to evolve, set up and enforce an ethical code of conduct for health research in Uganda; to identify, set up and enforce national health research policies and develop a National Health Research Plan for all health related research institutions in Uganda; to facilitate dialogue between the policy makers, researchers in different disciplines, health providers and communities in order to ensure that research is relevant to the needs of the people and that research findings are utilized by the relevant stakeholders; to facilitate consultations with policy and decision makers and researchers in different disciplines and communities in the identification of health research priorities which are consistent with the National Health Research Plan; to register, renew and co-ordinate different types of health research in Uganda and promote multi-disciplinary and inter­sectoral research collaboration in a bid to establish essential national health research which is consistent with the National Health Strategic Plan; to develop, strengthen and supervise health research institutes which at the commencement of this...

Section Powers of the Organisation Section The Organisation may— recommend to the Minister the establishment of health research institutes or any other appropriate research institutions; sponsor, promote and encourage health research activities undertaken by institutions, Organisations, agencies and individuals for the utilization of health research findings; issue or confer honours or rewards on researchers or any other person, groups of persons or institutions connected with health research as it may deem fit; acquire, develop and retain the human resource base in order to meet adequately the health research requirements; and supervise any research activity in the health sector. The Organisation shall exercise the powers under this section in respect of an institution or member affiliated to it and in so doing, it shall cooperate with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) and the National Drug Authority.

Section Disqualification for membership of the Board Section A person shall not be appointed a member of the Board if he or she— is of unsound mind; is not resident in Uganda; has been declared insolvent or bankrupt; or has been convicted of a criminal offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.

Section Meetings of the Board Section The Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to the meetings of the Board .

Section Functions of the Board Section The functions of the Board are— to formulate policy of the Organisation ; to make strategic plans of the Organisation ; to authorise budgets and expenditures and approve the annual report and accounts of the Organisation ; to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Organisation ; to establish rules and procedures for appointment into the Organisation , discipline, termination and administration of its personnel including staffing and conditions of service of its employees; to be responsible for the supervision of the management of property, business, income and other financial matters of the Organisation ; and to perform any other function that may be necessary for the proper implementation of this Act. In the carrying out of its functions under this section, the Organisation shall, wherever necessary, consult relevant statutory professional councils. The Board may delegate any of its functions under this Act to any member of the Board or to a committee of the Board or an official of the Organisation .

Section Committees of the Board Section The Board may appoint one or more committees to assist in the carrying out of its functions under this Act and may delegate to a committee such function as it may consider fit, subject to such conditions as it may determine. A committee appointed under this Act may comprise members of the Board or co-opted members or both. A committee may co-opt any resource person to any meeting of the committee except that the co-opted person shall have no right to vote on any matter coming for decision at the meeting. The Board may prescribe the procedure of any committee appointed by it.

Section Remuneration of the members of the Board Section The Chairperson , Deputy Chairperson and other members of the Board and members of the committees of the Board shall be paid such remuneration or allowances as may be determined by the Minister .

Section The Board Section The Organisation shall have a governing Board comprising— The following shall be ex-officio members of the Organisation — one representative nominated from faculties responsible for medicine or colleges of health sciences; one representative nominated from the faculty of social sciences of any of the universities in Uganda; three distinguished research scientists on matters of health , two of whom shall be representatives of research institutions; one eminent person from the community with a bias in human rights issues; and one representative of the traditional medical practitioners nominated by the practitioners. the Director General of Health Services; the Executive Secretary of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology; and the Director General who shall be the Secretary to the Board . All members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister . The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shall be elected by the members of the Board from among their number and shall be appointed by the Minister . The membership of the Board shall reflect gender equity, and in particular, of the members appointed under this section, at least one third shall be f...

Section Tenure of office of members of the Board Section Subject to subsection (1), a member of the Board shall vacate office— For the avoidance of doubt, a member of the Board by virtue of an office held by that member, shall, upon ceasing to hold that office, cease to be a member of the Board but if otherwise qualified for appointment, is eligible for re-appointment to the Board . A member of the Board other than a person to whom subsection (2) of section 8 applies, shall hold office for three years and is eligible for re-appointment for one other term. by tendering his or her resignation in writing to the Minister ; on written recommendation of the body which he or she represents, revoking the nomination of the member; or by removal from office by the Minister on the recommendation of the Board for inability to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of body or mind or from any other cause. Where a member of the Board is removed or vacates office before his or her term of office expires, the Minister may appoint another person to hold office until the end of the term of that office. Where the Minister is satisfied that a member is temporarily absent for...

Section Secretariat of the Organisation Section The Organisation shall have a Secretariat. The Secretariat shall be headed by a Director General . The Director General shall be appointed by the Board on such terms and conditions as shall be specified in his or her instrument of appointment. The Director General shall hold office for a term of four years and is eligible for reappointment. The Director General shall be a full time employee and the chief executive of the Organisation and is responsible for carrying out the day to day functions of the Organisation .

Section Functions of the Secretariat Section The functions of the Secretariat are— to prepare for the approval by the Board , a National Health Research Plan including research strategies, priorities and programmes; to coordinate, facilitate and monitor the implementation of research programmes and training activities; to establish, coordinate, facilitate and review linkages of constituent research institutes with international Organisations and research institutions outside the Organisation or outside Uganda; to review research proposals for conformity with established ethical guidelines and health priority and for technical content; to provide clearance for publication and other forms of dissemination of research findings, in consultation with the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology ; to make arrangements for periodic evaluation of constituent research institutes and the Secretariat for efficiency in relation to the functions of the Organisation ; to take official custody of the seal of the Organisation ; and to do such other things as may be necessary or desirable or expedient for the carrying out of the functions of the Organisation .

Section Other staff Section The Board may, on advice of the Director General , appoint other officers and staff of the Organisation as may be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the Organisation . The employees appointed under this section shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their instruments of appointment. The Board may under subsection (3) of section 12 delegate its functions under this section to the Director-General subject to such conditions as the Board may impose.

Section Employment of experts and consultants Section The Board may, on the advice of the Director General , engage for the Organisation , the services of a consultant or an expert to perform any of the functions of the Organisation in connection with which the consultant or expert is considered to have special competence.

Section Constituent research institutes Section The Research Institutions specified in Part I of the Third Schedule, to be known as constituent research institutes shall form part of the Organisation . The Board may approve other institutions to be constituent research institutes under subsection (1). Where the Board has approved an institution to be a constituent research institute under this section, the Minister may, by statutory instrument made with the approval of Parliament, declare the institution to be a constituent research institute for the purposes of this Act. A constituent research institute shall have semi-autonomous status with regard to the management of resources which shall be in accordance with research programmes and budgets approved by the Board . Every private firm, individual, non-governmental organisation or public institution carrying out health related research in Uganda shall affiliate with the Organisation .

Section Functions of constituent research institutes Section A constituent research institute shall— engage in health research which conforms to the mandate and mission specified in Part II of the Third Schedule to this Act; plan and develop research capacity for carrying out research which is essential for the development of health , health provision and to the overall development of Uganda; carry out research necessary for the improvement of health delivery, and, as much as possible, facilitate collaboration and maintain liaison with the Ministry and involve participation of communities; disseminate research findings so as to be able to contribute to health policy formulation and improvement of health care delivery; liaise with other research institutions carrying out health -related research within and outside Uganda; provide an annual report showing its activities, to the Director-General at the end of each financial year; ensure ethical clearance of all research prior to commencement and the clearance shall, to the extent applicable, make reference to international regulations on health research involving human subjects; and carry out any other function assigned by the Organis...

Section Sourcing of funds by constituent research institutes Section In the performance of its functions under this Act, a constituent research institute may solicit and accept funds for approved research .

Section Committees of constituent research institutes Section Each constituent research institute shall have a management committee consisting of— a director; heads of departments; and any other officer that the management committee may deem necessary. A management committee shall assist the director in the day to day carrying out of the activities of the constituent research institute and shall be accountable for resources allocated to the constituent research institute . The management committee shall hold a meeting at least quarterly and the director or his or her designate shall preside at the meeting. The management committee shall develop a programme to ensure the development of capacity, especially, that of women in research. A constituent research institute may also establish such other committees as it may consider appropriate for its internal management.

Section Submission of annual estimates Section The director of a constituent research institute shall submit annual budgetary estimates of the institute to the Director-General, which shall include— payments for salaries, pensions, gratuity, and other items of remuneration; funding for health research activities; procurement, property maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment and other moveable property; funding for essential research consumables; maintenance of buildings; grants to the institute; and capital expenditure.

Section Funds of the Organisation Section The funds of the Organisation shall consist of— monies appropriated by the Parliament; loans from any source; any money paid to the Organisation in the performance of its duties; and grants, donations and endowments from Organisations and individuals.

Section Power to open and operate bank accounts Section The Board shall open and maintain such bank accounts as are necessary for the performance of the functions of the Organisation . The Board shall ensure that all money received by or on behalf of the Organisation is banked as soon as practicable after being received. The Board shall ensure that no money is withdrawn from or paid out of any of the Organisation ’s accounts without the approval of the Board . For avoidance of doubt each constituent institute shall open and operate its own account.

Section Investment of surplus funds Section Any funds of the Organisation not immediately required for any purpose under this Act may be invested in a manner which the Board may, after consultation with the Minister and the Minister responsible for finance determine.

Section Borrowing powers Section The Board may, with the approval of the Minister given in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, borrow money from any source as may be required for the discharge of the functions of the Organisation under this Act.

Section Estimates Section The Director General shall, within three months before the end of each financial year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Board for its approval, estimates of the income and expenditure of the Organisation , and the operating plan for the next financial year. The Board shall, within two months, cause to be submitted to the Minister for his or her approval, the estimates of income and expenditure submitted by the Director General under subsection (1) as approved by the Board .

Section Financial year of the Organisation Section The financial year of the Organisation is the period of twelve months beginning on the first day of July in each year and ending on the 30th day of June in the next calendar year.

Section Accounts Section Subject to any direction given by the Minister , the Director General shall cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister and the Minister responsible for finance in respect of each financial year, a statement of accounts, which shall include— The Director General shall cause to be kept, proper books of accounts and records of the transactions of the Organisation . a balance sheet, a profit and loss account and a source and application of funds statement; and any other information in respect of the financial affairs of the Organisation as the Minister responsible for finance may, in writing require.

Section Audit Section The Auditor General or an auditor appointed by the Auditor General shall, in each financial year, audit the accounts of the Organisation . The Board shall ensure that within four months after the end of each financial year, a statement of accounts described in section 30 (2) is submitted to the Auditor General or an auditor appointed by the Auditor General for auditing. The Auditor General and any auditor appointed by the Auditor general shall have access to all books of accounts, vouchers and other records of the Organisation and is entitled to any information and explanation required in relation to those documents.

Section Immunity from personal liability Section A member of the Board or a member of a committee of the Board shall not be personally liable for civil action for any act done or omitted to be done by him or her in good faith without negligence for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. An employee or other person acting on behalf of the Organisation , shall not be liable for any act done or omitted to be done by him or her in good faith for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

Section Records of the Organisation Section Any discovery, invention of new formula, indigenous knowledge acquired or improvement on any apparatus or machine made by any person in the course of carrying out the objects and functions of the Organisation shall be recorded and kept by the Organisation .

Section Minister’s power to make regulations Section Regulations made under subsection (1) may, without prejudice to the general effect of that subsection— The Minister may, on the advice of the Board , by statutory instrument, make regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this Act. regulate the operation of the constituent research institutes; prescribe in respect of any contravention of the regulations a penalty not exceeding imprisonment for two years or a fine not exceeding forty eight currency points or both.

Section Amendment of Schedules by the Minister Section The Minister may, by statutory instrument, and with approval of Cabinet, amend the First Schedule to this Act. The Minister may, by statutory instrument in consultation with the Board , amend the Second and Third Schedules to this Act.

Section Transitional provisions Section A person who on the commencement of this Act is serving in an office in a constituent research institute shall, subject to the review and approval of the Board , continue so serving and shall be deemed to have been duly appointed under this Act. An employee of a constituent research institute who is engaged by the Organisation shall receive from the Government of Uganda, a severance pay in accordance with regulation 23A and Schedule II to the Pensions Regulations as inserted by the Pensions (Amendment of First Schedule to Pension Act) regulations and those not engaged shall return to the respective parent ministries. An employee of a constituent research institute at the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have retired with full benefits from the public service in accordance with any laws for the time being in force relating to their service. The Board may, subject to such conditions and restrictions as it may impose, delegate any of its functions under this section to a committee of the Board , the Director General or any officer of the Organisation .

Section Vesting of assets and liabilities Section All property and assets, except property and assets that the Minister may by writing determine, which immediately before the commencement of this Act were vested in the constituent research institutes mentioned in this Act and which are required for the discharge of the functions of the Organisation shall vest in the Organisation subject to all interests, liabilities and trusts affecting that property. The Minister may, by statutory instrument, transfer to the Organisation , the assets belonging to the Government which by virtue of this Act are necessary for the performance of the functions of the Organisation .