The construction of the Namanve based Technology Innovation and Business Incubation Centre (TIBIC) is hitting the halfway completion point.

The centre is targeted to act as a platform of technology development through the process industry learning factor model (learning through practical production).

The centre will have common user facilities and shared workspaces for scientists and innovators.

Uganda’s scientists and innovators have been held back due to the lack of such facilities and the high cost sunk costs required for researching, developing, testing, standardising, and launching products.

Anthony Okimat, the project coordinator at the National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Innovation Skills Enhancement Project (NSTEI-SEP) said construction of the centre stands at 30%. Okimat said this was good progress in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TIBIC is one of the three major components of $84.7m (sh365b) NSTEI-SEP under the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

The project is funded by the government and their Chinese counterpart through the Export and Import Bank of China. The other two components of NSTEI-SEP are the National Institute of Technopreneurship (NIT) at Rwebiteete in Kiruhura District and the Technical Services Company.

During the inspection visit, the media were shown the progress of work on the administration block, offices, smart conference room, restaurant, and the machinery and equipment maintenance centre.

“We will nurture scientists and innovators to ensure that they incubate and run viable enterprises and businesses. The products produced will boost exports and import substitution,” Okimat said.

He added that the centre will collaborate with various partners such as the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, Directorate of Industrial Training, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Makerere University, and the National Enterprise Corporation.

He said scientists and engineers are not taught the skill to run businesses and many lack communication and soft skills. He said the centre will seek to address these weaknesses. He said the centre targets to train over 200 at any single point.

He cited an example of Kiira Motors where he said many parts will be needed to operate the businesses. He said the centre seeks to help innovators create parts for vehicles in viable businesses.

He noted that there are many engineers, technicians running garages and other technical activities that need support to improve their service delivery both locally, regionally and internationally.

Among the expected outputs of the centre are; the enhancement of technology-oriented business startups increases the competitiveness of Uganda’s micro, small and medium size enterprises.

Others are; spurring locally made tools designs, enhancement of tax revenues and job creation from the evolving science and technology hubs.

“The center will offer technologies of finished leather processing, textile design, state-of-the-art testing units, training centers for multiple disciplines, and quality up-gradation,” Okimat said.

He added that the center will support specialized research and development facilities, technical and business assistance services, specialized technical support services, and specialized engineering machinery rental services.

The five-hectare site was handed over to the contractor, AVIC-INTL Project Engineering Company in February 2021. The construction commenced in the next month, March. The construction completion date is set for May 2022 and thereafter the launch of the facility. The government is putting emphasis on science, technology, and innovation to transform and develop the country.