ABOUT sh5b has been earmarked for the industrial innovation development fund by the Government. The fund will finance small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and incubation centres.
“Makerere University’s department of Food Science and Technology has already benefitted from the fund,” Aston Kajara, the investment state minister, said, adding that each year, money would be set aside for the fund.
Kajara was speaking at the 7th Uganda Society of Science and Technology conference at Colline Hotel in Mukono recently.
He said the fund would enable technological innovations start commercial production.
He, however, explained that for an innovation to qualify it must be a ‘bankable’ project to woo banks to fund it.
Government will also assist innovators to test and patent their products. “We are also revitalising the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) to oversee these projects.”
A management board to oversee the fund would soon to be established, he added.
Kajara stressed the need for innovators to harness our rich natural resources in a sustainable way to avoid problems associated with climate change. The minister urged universities to partner with the public and private sectors to enhance technological development and research in the country.
“Come up with innovations and the Government will support them. You have to commercialise knowledge.”
Kajara called on Kyambogo University to partner with industries for technology transfer.
Prof. John Opuda-Asibo, the first deputy vice-chancellor (academic affairs) Kyambogo University, said they were to introduce a masters of science in aquaculture technology degree. “We are going to be the first university in Uganda to establish it.”
He further noted Uganda still boasts of good university education quality. “But it has not been harnessed. We need to invest it. Universities should also be looked at as economic investments.”
