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Mwenda’s change of heart should inspire Uganda to believe in its innovators, tech
Mwenda’s change of heart should inspire all of us to judge Uganda’s innovators not by assumption, but by evidence. Our scientists and innovators have demonstrated what they can achieve with modest support. They deserve stronger financing, better markets and the confidence of a nation that believes in its own potential.
Justin Ojangole. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Justin Ojangole
The headline in New Vision of June 30, “Mwenda Tours Dei Biopharma Plant, Apologises to Museveni and Magoola,” was more than just another news story. It was a powerful reminder that first-hand experience is often the best answer to misconception.
Through his talk shows and newspaper columns, veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda questioned President Yoweri Museveni’s deliberate policy of financing local scientists, innovators and technology-driven enterprises. His criticism echoed the views of many Ugandans who believe government investment in innovation consumes huge sums of taxpayers’ money with little to show for it.
After touring the Dei Biopharma pharmaceutical plant in Matugga, Mwenda publicly admitted he had been mistaken. His willingness to acknowledge that he had misjudged the project deserves praise. More importantly, it should encourage other skeptics to visit these enterprises before dismissing them.
Earlier this year, while researching a publication on Uganda’s science, technology and innovation sector, I was given an opportunity by the then science minister, Dr Monica Musenero (now energy minister), to document the progress of government-supported innovation ventures across the country.
I visited about 35 enterprises out of more than 200 ventures supported under the Science, Technology and Innovation programme. They included the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre in Namanve Industrial Park in Wakiso district and its Rwebiteete facility in Kiruhura district, Kiira Motors in Jinja, Dei Biopharma in Matugga, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development, the National Agricultural Research Organisation, Inspire Africa Coffee in Ntungamo, Nonda Coffee in Luwero and electric mobility companies such as Zembo and Spiro.
What I found exceeded every expectation. The size, sophistication and technological advancement of these facilities left me amazed. I realised that, like many Ugandans, I had underestimated the quiet transformation taking place in our country. These ventures are producing goods that Uganda previously imported, adding value to agricultural products, creating skills jobs for young people and laying the foundation for an industrial economy.
The innovation story extends beyond factories. Universities, including Makerere, Gulu, Muni, Soroti and Busitema, have become centres of research, with scientists developing home-grown solutions in agriculture, health, engineering, renewable energy and manufacturing. Many of these innovations have the potential to become commercially viable enterprises if the Government continues providing financial and technical support.
History shows that no nation has industrialised without deliberately investing in science, research and innovation. Countries, such as South Korea, China and Singapore, nurtured local industries through consistent public investment, strategic procurement policies and long-term commitment to research. Uganda should not expect different results if it is unwilling to make similar investments.
Earlier this year, while researching a publication on Uganda’s science, technology and innovation sector, I was given an opportunity by the then science minister, Dr Monica Musenero (now energy minister), to document the progress of government-supported innovation ventures across the country.
I visited about 35 enterprises out of more than 200 ventures supported under the Science, Technology and Innovation programme. They included the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre in Namanve Industrial Park in Wakiso district and its Rwebiteete facility in Kiruhura district, Kiira Motors in Jinja, Dei Biopharma in Matugga, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development, the National Agricultural Research Organisation, Inspire Africa Coffee in Ntungamo, Nonda Coffee in Luwero and electric mobility companies such as Zembo and Spiro.
What I found exceeded every expectation. The size, sophistication and technological advancement of these facilities left me amazed. I realised that, like many Ugandans, I had underestimated the quiet transformation taking place in our country. These ventures are producing goods that Uganda previously imported, adding value to agricultural products, creating skills jobs for young people and laying the foundation for an industrial economy.
The innovation story extends beyond factories. Universities, including Makerere, Gulu, Muni, Soroti and Busitema, have become centres of research, with scientists developing home-grown solutions in agriculture, health, engineering, renewable energy and manufacturing. Many of these innovations have the potential to become commercially viable enterprises if the Government continues providing financial and technical support.
History shows that no nation has industrialised without deliberately investing in science, research and innovation. Countries, such as South Korea, China and Singapore, nurtured local industries through consistent public investment, strategic procurement policies and long-term commitment to research. Uganda should not expect different results if it is unwilling to make similar investments.
One encouraging outcome of Mwenda’s visit was his reported commitment to engage the National Medical Stores to prioritise medicines manufactured by Dei Biopharma over imported alternatives where they meet the required standards. That thinking should not stop with pharmaceuticals. The Government should adopt a deliberate procurement policy that gives qualified Ugandan-made products first priority across all public institutions. Such a policy would strengthen local industries, reduce imports, save foreign exchange and create thousands of jobs.
Equally important is public awareness. Many Ugandans criticise these investments simply because they have never visited the facilities or interacted with the innovators behind them. The science ministry should organise regular familiarisation tours for journalists, MPs, business leaders and students. Seeing these projects first-hand is often enough to replace skepticism with confidence.
The recent appointment of Eng. Jonard Asiimwe to lead the science ministry comes at a critical time. As an engineer with experience in business and public leadership, he has an opportunity to accelerate the commercialisation of Uganda’s innovations and build on the foundation already laid.
President Museveni has consistently said science, technology and innovation will be central to Uganda’s journey towards a modern, industrialised economy. Whether one agrees with every aspect of that vision or not, one fact is undeniable: countries that neglect innovation rarely achieve sustainable prosperity.
Mwenda’s change of heart should inspire all of us to judge Uganda’s innovators not by assumption, but by evidence. Our scientists and innovators have demonstrated what they can achieve with modest support. They deserve stronger financing, better markets and the confidence of a nation that believes in its own potential.
The writer is a publisher
Equally important is public awareness. Many Ugandans criticise these investments simply because they have never visited the facilities or interacted with the innovators behind them. The science ministry should organise regular familiarisation tours for journalists, MPs, business leaders and students. Seeing these projects first-hand is often enough to replace skepticism with confidence.
The recent appointment of Eng. Jonard Asiimwe to lead the science ministry comes at a critical time. As an engineer with experience in business and public leadership, he has an opportunity to accelerate the commercialisation of Uganda’s innovations and build on the foundation already laid.
President Museveni has consistently said science, technology and innovation will be central to Uganda’s journey towards a modern, industrialised economy. Whether one agrees with every aspect of that vision or not, one fact is undeniable: countries that neglect innovation rarely achieve sustainable prosperity.
Mwenda’s change of heart should inspire all of us to judge Uganda’s innovators not by assumption, but by evidence. Our scientists and innovators have demonstrated what they can achieve with modest support. They deserve stronger financing, better markets and the confidence of a nation that believes in its own potential.
The writer is a publisher