KIRUHURA, July 14, 2026 — The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, on Tuesday commenced a Western Corridor strategic mission with a visit to the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDiC) at Rwebitete in Kiruhura District.
The Minister was accompanied by a team from the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat and was received by the Centre’s leadership, engineers, scientists, designers, operators and technical staff.
Located on approximately 45 acres, EDiC Rwebitete is a Smart Manufacturing Centre established to advance engineering excellence, precision manufacturing, industrial innovation, technology commercialisation and practical skills development.
During an opening boardroom engagement, the Minister and the STI Secretariat team reviewed the Centre’s institutional performance, strategic programmes, research commercialisation efforts, innovation outcomes and priorities for the next phase of implementation.
The session included strategic presentations and technical submissions from EDiC’s leadership and technical teams, focusing on progress achieved, existing implementation gaps and the actions required to strengthen the Centre’s contribution to Uganda’s industrial transformation.
Following the presentations, Minister Asiimwe conducted an extensive inspection of the Centre’s engineering units, advanced machinery, manufacturing systems and operational processes across the Smart Manufacturing Hub.
The inspection examined EDiC’s capabilities in engineering design, product development, prototyping, fabrication and Computer Numerical Control machining.
The Minister assessed how these capabilities can support indigenous manufacturing, reduce Uganda’s dependence on imported products and technologies, and accelerate the commercialisation of locally developed scientific and engineering solutions.
Speaking after the tour, Minister Asiimwe said Uganda’s industrial future would be strengthened through engineering excellence, research commercialisation and homegrown innovation.
“What I witnessed reaffirmed that Uganda’s industrial future will be secured not by imported solutions, but by engineering excellence, research commercialisation and indigenous innovation that creates value for our people and competitiveness for our region,” he said.
He noted that transforming scientific ideas into commercially viable products and productive manufacturing capacity was essential to building economic resilience, creating employment opportunities and supporting sustainable national development.
The Minister also encouraged engineers, researchers, innovators and technology enthusiasts at the Centre to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, honesty, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
He emphasised that scientific and technological advancement must ultimately respond to the needs of society and contribute to the wellbeing of citizens.
“As we strengthen Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, we are equally advancing the East African Community’s vision of regional industrialisation, technological self-reliance and shared prosperity through knowledge, production and homegrown solutions,” the Minister said.
At the conclusion of the facility inspection, Minister Asiimwe led another boardroom session to validate the Centre’s strategic presentations against the firsthand observations made during the tour.
The engagement enabled the Minister, EDiC leadership and technical teams to discuss operational challenges, review ongoing implementation activities and agree on practical mitigation measures aimed at improving institutional performance.
The Minister later held an operations engagement with the Centre’s engineers, designers, machine operators and support staff. Discussions focused on workplace challenges, human resource matters, operational efficiency and the support required to accelerate the delivery of Uganda’s science, technology and innovation agenda.
Minister Asiimwe reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that EDiC operates within a strong legal and institutional framework capable of streamlining human resource management, strengthening accountability, empowering innovators and accelerating the commercialisation of homegrown technologies.
The visit marked the beginning of the Minister’s Western Corridor strategic mission, which is intended to assess the performance of science, technology and innovation institutions while promoting stronger coordination between research, engineering, manufacturing and national development priorities.
The Ministry believes that centres such as EDiC Rwebitete will play an important role in building Uganda’s domestic production capacity, supporting industrial competitiveness and positioning the country as a regional centre for engineering innovation and advanced manufacturing.
