Minister Musenero advocates for youth innovation to tackle unemployment
“With over 60 percent of Ugandans relying on herbal remedies, this law is a major victory for our sector,” he said.
Kololo: Uganda’s inaugural National Science Summit kicked off Monday at the Kololo Independence Grounds, with Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, issuing a passionate call to Ugandan youth to harness their creativity and develop innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges, particularly unemployment.
“I encourage our youth to direct their intellectual energies toward pioneering innovations that tackle current challenges. Innovations with tangible societal benefits can drive transformative change,” Dr. Musenero emphasized in her keynote address.
The six-day event, themed “Made in Uganda: From Innovation to Market,” has brought together a wide array of scientists, researchers, and innovators from public and private institutions across Uganda.
The summit serves as a vibrant platform to showcase homegrown innovations and discuss their potential for commercialization and national development.
Dr. Musenero stressed the importance of nurturing local scientific talent and supporting community-based innovations. She called on all Ugandans to rally behind their scientists, adding:
“The interdependence of our endeavors is crucial. For example, consider the interplay between pharmaceuticals and innovative production methodologies,” she said, emphasizing the need to convert research into practical solutions.
The minister also encouraged students from all disciplines whether literature, history, anthropology, or philosophy to integrate scientific thinking into their fields, urging cross-disciplinary collaboration in solving real-world problems.
Dr. Alice Veronica Lamwaka from Gulu University praised the summit for creating an interactive space for knowledge exchange and collaboration among researchers. However, she highlighted a persistent obstacle: limited funding for scientific research in Uganda.
She explained how her work on herbal therapies for sickle cell disease, titled “Breaking the Cycle: Unveiling Hope for Sickle Cell Condition,” faces delays due to a lack of support for clinical trials, especially for research that does not follow conventional biomedical frameworks.
Dr. Matthias Kagola, Director of Dei-Pharma, echoed these concerns, stating that inadequate infrastructure hinders Uganda’s scientific progress. He recounted how much of his innovative pharmaceutical work had to be conducted in advanced laboratories abroad due to a lack of facilities in Africa.
Nevertheless, Kagola acknowledged the growing recognition of science and innovation by the Ugandan government, citing recent funding allocations as a positive sign.
Professor Patrick Ogwang, Deputy Director at Jena Herbals, called for stronger policies to protect intellectual property rights, especially for innovations originating from academic institutions. He revisited the early development struggles of Covidex, which faced ownership disputes with Mbarara University.
Edward Kazire, founder of Kazire Health Drinks, stressed the importance of unity among scientists, describing fragmentation in the sector as a significant hurdle. He credited Prof. Ogwang for collaborative support in developing health products and underscored the importance of improving product quality to expand market reach.
Kazire also applauded Parliament for enacting the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act (2019), saying it validated the role of herbal medicine in Uganda’s healthcare system.
“With over 60 percent of Ugandans relying on herbal remedies, this law is a major victory for our sector,” he said.
The summit featured a wide range of “Made in Uganda” products, including pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, electronics, machinery, and even locally developed vehicles. Enthusiastic crowds visited exhibition booths, engaging with innovators and learning more about Uganda’s growing science and technology ecosystem.
As the summit continues through the week, it is expected to foster further collaborations, policy discussions, and practical roadmaps for translating innovation into economic and social transformation.
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