Use science, technology and innovation for job creation - Minister Musenero

Jun 21, 2022

The minister said that there is a new alignment of science, technology, and innovation with a focus on fighting poverty and underdevelopment.

Dr Monica Musenero at the annual Biosafety Forum

John Odyek
Journalist @New Vision

The minister for science, technology, and innovation office of the president has urged Ugandans to embrace the use of science, technology, and innovation to support job creation, especially for the young people. 

Dr Monica Musenero while opening the 5th annual Biosafety Forum said that Uganda has vast natural resources and is in the process of adding value to them, many job opportunities, products, and forex exchange earnings will accrue to the country. The function took place at the Kampala Serena Hotel. 

Musenero toured the three-day exhibition where exhibitors are displaying biotechnology products, research work on biotechnology, regulatory guidelines on biotechnology and biotechnology engineering. 

“We need to transition to modify natural resources, create jobs, we used to sell natural resources, our young population is innovative,” Musenero said.

The minister said that the ministry will focus on key value chains such as; the pathogen economy for drug discovery and manufacture, industry, mobility, infrastructure, aeronautics and space, and productivity acceleration which she said will enable the transformation of Uganda.  

She appealed to Ugandans to be creative, courageous, and producers of technology products and not mere consumers. She said that underpinning production is issues of regulation, laws, safety, and a proactive approach.  

“We should not have people who say no. This cannot be done. We need to focus on implementation. Universities and institutions need to use research not only for academic purposes but to develop products,” Musenero said.  

The minister said that there is a new alignment of science, technology, and innovation with a focus on fighting poverty and underdevelopment.

She noted that data collection, processing, management, storage, and access needs to be improved in Uganda in the areas of science, technology, and innovation. 

Dr Martin Ongol acting executive secretary Uganda National Council for Science and Technology said that the forum creates a platform for scientists in biotechnology interact with peers and regulatory authorities.  

Ongol said the interaction boosts trust in science and deliver products with minimal health and risks to the environment.

Uganda has ratified the Cartagen Protocol on Biosafety in 2001. The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology is designated as the authority that provides regulatory oversight for genetic engineering research and development initiatives.  

Ongol said that science, technology and innovation are moving to risk-level characterization, analysis to ensure products do not create harm. He noted that the rate at which innovations are changing sometimes maybe too fast and regulatory mechanisms may not be quick enough.

He said that in the past messages were delivered by bicycles but now messages move forward through emails, and WhatsApp messages.

He said that regulatory systems have to be fast to respond to changing conditions and environments to create an effective landscape. 

The event is attended by various institutions, individuals, organisations locally and internationally involved in science, technology, and innovation.

 The theme of the conference was ’25 years of biosafety stewardship in Uganda-towards science, technology, and innovation-led sustainable industrialisation’.

The regulatory landscape for science, technology, and innovation is taking a new shape with increased political interest

 

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