Innovations in various parts of Uganda’s economy will be showcased during the 3rd National Science Week, scheduled to take place from November 6 to 11 in Kampala. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, the Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, made this announcement on September 27.
Over 400 exhibitors are expected to participate in the event, which will also feature regional presentations and have President Museveni as the Chief Guest during the official launch.
Dr. Musenero emphasized the Secretariat’s dedication to eight key areas that are driving economic transformation through science. These areas include Pathogen Economy, Mobility, Industry 4.0+, Export-Targeted STI, Import Substitution, Infrastructure Innovation, Productivity Acceleration, and Aeronautics & Space.
She explained that these thematic areas are not only the cornerstone of the upcoming National Science Week 2023 but also set the stage for Uganda’s transition towards innovative solutions that can reshape the nation’s economy. This transformation is especially important given Uganda’s youthful demographics, with an average age of 16.3 years as of July 2023.
“We are strategically aligning our efforts to meet the unique needs of this expanding demographic by championing innovations tailored to their requirements,” she stated. The core areas of focus include utilizing Artificial Intelligence to enhance industry and production, advancing vaccine and drug development through pathogen research, exploring space and aeronautics, and promoting technological innovations to improve transport and mobility.
A survey conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed that Uganda climbed to the 119th rank out of 132 countries in the Global Innovation Index for 2022. This upward trend underscores Uganda’s commitment to advancing science and technology, indicating significant progress in this field.
Building upon the success of the previous two National Science Week editions and the innovative ideas showcased, the government is establishing the National Science Technology Engineering and Innovations Center along Masaka Road. This center will provide a platform for Uganda’s innovations and offer the necessary support to help these groundbreaking ideas compete globally.
The theme for National Science Week 2023, “Uganda Tusimbudde: Our Science-Led Journey Towards Socio-Economic Transformation,” represents a significant shift, introducing a week-long event that will provide participants with an immersive experience of Uganda’s remarkable science-driven transformation journey.