The integration of research into higher education is central to knowledge creation and societal progress. Yet, in Uganda, as in many Sub-Saharan contexts the journey “from proposal to practice” is shaped by demanding ethical and regulatory approval systems overseen by Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST). While these structures are critical for protecting research participants and upholding public trust, they are also marked by bureaucratic delays, administrative inconsistencies, and capacity gaps that can frustrate researchers and constrain institutional productivity. This study explores how higher education researchers experience these approval processes, focusing on the everyday realities of navigating submissions, revisions, and compliance requirements. Using research governance and institutional theory as analytical lenses, it examines the tensions between safeguarding participants and enabling timely scientific progress. Preliminary insights suggest that while oversight mechanisms are valued for ensuring ethical integrity, researchers perceive inefficiencies and duplication that risk undermining innovation and morale. By situating these experiences within broader debates on accountability, fairness, and academic freedom, the study contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen research governance and create more enabling environments for scholarship in Uganda and the wider region.
Mr. Osborn Ahimbisibwe – PI
Dr. Mukooza K. Edward – Co-PI