The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, has launched a nationwide tour of public universities aimed at strengthening Uganda’s innovation ecosystem and positioning science and technology as key drivers of jobs, wealth creation, and national transformation.
The tour began on 1st July at Busitema University and concluded on 2nd July, marking a two-day engagement that brought together government officials, university leadership, researchers, and students in a shared effort to reimagine the role of higher education in national development.
The first day of the tour commenced at Busitema University, where the Minister engaged with academic staff and students on the need to move innovation beyond theoretical learning and classroom-based projects into practical, market-ready solutions. He emphasized that universities must increasingly serve as active hubs of innovation, capable of producing ideas that translate into enterprises, industrial products, and employment opportunities for young people.
A major highlight of the day was the handover of a fully electric 42-seater Kayoola EVS bus and the commissioning of a high-capacity DC fast-charging station developed in partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation. The development underscored Uganda’s growing capacity in green mobility and local automotive engineering. The electric bus project was presented as part of a broader effort to promote clean energy transport, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and build local technical expertise in emerging technologies.
The Minister also toured innovation exhibitions and held technical discussions with students and researchers, focusing on how academic research can be transformed into scalable solutions that respond to real economic needs.
The tour later proceeded to Mbale, where the Minister officially commissioned the Natural Products Research and Innovation Centre (NaPRiC), established with support from the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat. The centre is designed to leverage Uganda’s rich biodiversity to develop value-added products in sectors such as health, agriculture, and manufacturing. Officials noted that this initiative will help reduce reliance on raw material exports while boosting local production and industrialization.
On the second day, the engagements continued at Busitema University’s Arapai Campus, where the Minister, together with university officials and community representatives, toured the proposed site for the Eastern Regional Agro-Science, Technology and Industrial Park. The proposed facility is expected to become a major regional hub for agro-processing, research, innovation, and industrial development. Discussions at the site focused on strengthening agricultural value chains, enhancing technology transfer, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for youth.
The Minister reiterated that innovation must deliver tangible benefits to citizens, particularly farmers, students, and entrepreneurs, stressing that research institutions must be aligned with national development priorities and market demands.
Minister Hon Eng. Jonard Asiimwe confirmed that the Busitema engagement marks the official start of a nationwide tour of public universities. The initiative is intended to deepen collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector in order to accelerate Uganda’s innovation and industrial agenda.
He emphasized that innovation must no longer remain confined to academic work but must actively contribute to job creation, wealth generation, and structural economic transformation.
The upcoming university visits are expected to build on the Busitema experience by strengthening innovation ecosystems, supporting research commercialization, and expanding opportunities for young innovators across the country.
The two-day engagement at Busitema and Mbale highlighted Uganda’s renewed commitment to science-led development, with universities taking center stage as engines of innovation and industrial growth. As the nationwide tour continues, the focus remains on translating research into real-world solutions that improve livelihoods and drive sustainable national transformation.
Ready to learn
Right in time when University Computing students are soon launching the Uganda Computing Students Association it will be a pleasure to discuss it with him