The HSRC’s eResearch Knowledge Unit (eRKU) recently welcomed Mr. James Sebyala, the Registrar of the Bank of Uganda, for a significant institutional visit on 25 June 2025. This engagement, held at the HSRC’s Pretoria office, marks an important step in fostering a collaborative relationship between the two institutions.

Mr. Sebyala’s visit was specifically requested as part of his broader trip to South Africa, where he is attending a course at the JEYAX Development and Training Academy. Mr Sebyala’s visit focused on Records and Information Management Governance.

Aligning with Strategic Objectives

Dr. Lucky Ditaunyane, the HSRC’s Acting Chief Operations Officer, underscored the importance of the visit during his opening and welcome remarks. He highlighted that this interaction directly aligns with the HSRC’s strategic objective to enhance its relevance, and impact across Africa, promoting a vital interchange of information and knowledge with other organisations on the continent.

Comprehensive Information Sessions

During the visit, the eRKU team delivered a series of insightful information sessions covering various aspects of records and information management:

• eRKU Overview and the HSRC ‘s Digital Transformation Agenda: Providing a holistic view of the unit’s functions and the HSRC’s digital evolution.
• Information management in an Academic Library: Sharing best practices in managing information within an academic setting.
• NARSSA Records Management Protocols: Delving into national archival, and records management standards.
• Case Study – HSRC Archival Digitisation Journey: Presenting a practical example of the HSRC’s experience in digitising its archives.
• HSRC Records Management Programme: Outlining the council’s internal records management initiatives.
• Off-site archiving processes: Discussing the procedures and considerations for off-site record storage.

Shared histories and future collaborations

In his reflections, Mr. Sebyala offered a contextual background of the Bank of Uganda, drawing parallels between the historical journeys of both countries. He noted that independence brought about similar governance and system challenges, emphasising how the introduction of a Records Management Act in Uganda, was a significant milestone in streamlining their records management policies and processes.

The insights shared by the HSRC affirmed the progress made by the Bank of Uganda in managing their records. Furthermore, lessons learned from the Bank of Uganda’s experiences, are expected to enrich the HSRC’s ongoing journey toward implementing its own records management programme.

This visit is anticipated to pave the way for future opportunities for knowledge exchange, specialised training, and benchmarking initiatives between the HSRC and the Bank of Uganda, strengthening institutional capacities in records and information governance across the continent.