Uganda Set To Hold Annual Science, Tech & Innovation Exhibition

Uganda is set to hold it’s annual National Week for Science, Technology, and Innovation in the week from 6th to 10th November 2022. The event is dubbed National Exhibition Week for Science (NEWS).

The week-long event will be held at Kololo Independence Grounds, in Kampala, under the theme ‘Uganda 2040; The Future We Want Through STI (Science, Technology, and Innovation)’

While announcing the launch of the event on Friday, Dr Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, said Uganda’s annual showcase of science, technology and innovation is aimed at documenting progress made toward technological advancement to steer national development.

She was speaking during the launch of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Trade Fair showground, where the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat is a Platinum Sponsor. She further said that technological advancement in today’s world dictates that science and technology hold the key to the progress and development of any nation.

“As the world moves deep into the fourth industrial revolution, Science and Technology have taken on the fundamental role of wealth creation, improvement of the quality of life, and real economic growth and transformation”, she said.

She added that the Government of Uganda has positioned STI as the vital driver for socio-economic development and transformation as laid down in Vision 2040.

“The National Exhibition Week for Science (NEWS) provides us with a platform to showcase innovations and technologies across all sectors that are steering us towards achieving the national development goals and fighting poverty,” she added.

In addition, this year, the NEWS will focus on Aeronautics and Space Science; Mobility (Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry); Pathogen Economy; Industry 4.0+; Infrastructure Innovations; Productivity Acceleration; Import Substitution; and Export Targeted Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The NEWS will come to a crescendo into the Celebration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, on 10th November 2022 where President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the Chief Guest, accompanied by other visiting Heads of State.

“Our vision is to see Uganda as the best technologically advanced and most innovative nation in the region”, added Dr. Musenero.

The government will invest in the development of a solid ecosystem by incorporating science education in primary, secondary, and university curricula, according to National Development Plan (NDP) III.

Dr Musenero says; this will make science and technology accessible at all levels of learning, and partnerships between University research institutions and industry to make it attractive for human capital development.

She said the Government is cognizant of the need to invest in research and innovation for sustainable socio-economic transformation.

Dr Musenero enumerated several projects undertaken by the Government including; research and development in vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics; manufacture of both clean diesel engine and electric buses and construction of Uganda’s first satellite due for launch in November 2022.

“All these and more will be on display for the public to witness during the National Science Week exhibition,” she added.