A compelling call for unity, innovation and economic transformation took centre stage at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, addressed Ugandans who have recently returned from South Africa. His message went beyond welcoming them home. It challenged them to become active participants in shaping Uganda’s industrial future while confronting the divisions that continue to slow Africa’s progress.
Addressing the gathering, Eng. Asiimwe urged the returnees to reject xenophobia, tribalism and all forms of internal division that weaken the continent’s ability to compete globally. He observed that Africa’s greatest obstacle is not the absence of resources but the failure to harness them collectively through knowledge, innovation and industrial development.
He explained that genuine Pan-Africanism must extend beyond speeches and political symbolism. According to him, meaningful continental integration should be measured by Africa’s ability to produce, innovate and trade value-added products rather than remaining dependent on the export of raw materials and the importation of finished goods.
The Minister noted that Africa is endowed with immense natural wealth, including nearly 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land and close to 30 percent of global mineral resources. Despite this abundance, he observed that the continent contributes only a small share of global wealth because much of its raw produce leaves Africa without processing, while finished products are imported at significantly higher value. He argued that this long-standing pattern has deprived African countries of employment opportunities, technological advancement and industrial growth.
He called for deliberate investment in science, technology, innovation and industrialisation as the foundation for reversing this trend. In his view, Africa’s youthful population should not merely consume products developed elsewhere but should become innovators, researchers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs capable of creating competitive solutions for both local and international markets.
Eng. Asiimwe emphasised that Africa’s most valuable resource is its people. He said the creativity, knowledge and determination of young Africans represent a far greater asset than the continent’s mineral deposits or agricultural potential. Unlocking that potential, he explained, requires governments to create environments where innovation is supported, research is commercialised and local industries are empowered to grow.
Turning his attention to Uganda’s development agenda, the Minister highlighted the importance of technological sovereignty and building the country’s capacity to manufacture essential goods locally. He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the Build Uganda, Buy Uganda (BUBU) strategy by supporting digital transformation, strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, promoting research commercialisation and encouraging innovation-driven enterprises capable of creating sustainable employment and retaining value within the national economy.
He also recognised the significant contribution Ugandans returning from abroad can make to national development. Drawing from their international exposure, technical expertise and professional experience, he said returnees possess valuable knowledge that can strengthen Uganda’s industrialisation efforts and accelerate innovation across multiple sectors.
Rather than viewing their return as a setback, Eng. Asiimwe encouraged them to embrace it as an opportunity to contribute directly to the country’s transformation. He pledged that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation would continue working to connect returning Ugandans with government programmes, financing opportunities, research institutions and innovation ecosystems that can help translate their skills into productive enterprises and lasting economic impact.
Throughout his address, the Minister maintained that Uganda’s path to prosperity depends on producing more of what it consumes while expanding its capacity to compete in regional and global markets through science, technology and innovation. He stressed that sustainable economic growth will be achieved by investing in human capital, strengthening local industries and ensuring that innovation becomes a practical tool for solving national challenges.
His lecture at NALI reflected a broader vision for an Africa that is united by purpose, driven by knowledge and confident in its own capabilities. It reinforced the growing emphasis on industrial development, value addition and technological advancement as essential pillars for long-term economic transformation.
As Uganda continues implementing policies that encourage local production, scientific research and entrepreneurship, the Minister’s message served as a reminder that the country’s greatest opportunity lies not only in its natural resources but also in the talent, resilience and ingenuity of its people. For the Ugandans returning home, the invitation was clear: their experience abroad is not the conclusion of a journey but the beginning of a new responsibility to help build a stronger, more innovative and self-reliant nation.
