Why Uganda needs a science ministry

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OPINION

By Justin Ojangole

On June 15-20, 2025, the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat held its National Science Week at Kololo Independence Grounds.

This highly engaging exhibition followed a similar event in May by Makerere University’s Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), which was officially opened by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

These events continue to shine the spotlight on Uganda’s rising innovation potential and the country’s untapped scientific creativity.

The National Science Week brings together scientists, engineers, innovators and investors under one platform to exhibit Ugandan-made products supported by the STI Secretariat. Among this year’s outstanding participants were Kiira Motors, Dei Biopharma, Kazire Health Products, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and the Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute, winners of the prestigious Faces of Science Awards 2025.

It was inspiring to witness young innovators adding value to Uganda’s resources.

From motorbikes and bicycles to aerospace and pharmaceutical products, it was clear that science and innovation are no longer desk ideas, they are tangible pathways to economic transformation and development.

The event showcased over 300 participants, including university and secondary school students, who presented locally made solutions to real-world problems.

For example, Biliga Bisenyanzi, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry student at Makerere University, is extracting bio-crude oil from water hyacinth.

However, when you speak with these innovators, one thing becomes painfully clear: They lack adequate funding. While STI Secretariat has made an effort to promote these initiatives, these are often insufficient to support wide-scale production. If science is to move beyond prototypes and labs, the Government and private actors must invest heavily to commercialise innovations.

President Museveni has long emphasised that science should lead Uganda’s development. He has consistently called for prioritising science education and supporting technical professionals, whom he rightly describes as “the architects of modern economies.”

Indeed, Uganda is heeding that call through various research initiatives. But the time has come to go further: Uganda needs a fully-fledged Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, not merely a secretariat. This is exactly what China has done, and the results are positive. During my visits to China, I have observed how their science and technology ministry spearheads national research, innovation funding and international cooperation. It identifies talents in schools, universities and other institutions, supports them early and helps them produce goods with value added to them on an industrial scale.

A science and technology ministry would have the policy authority and budget autonomy to drive innovation across all sectors, from agriculture and health to energy and ICT. Like agriculture in Uganda, which has its own ministry due to its economic value, STI deserves equal treatment. After all, no modern economy thrives without investing heavily in its knowledge base.

Furthermore, all government agencies must lead by example. They should purchase Ugandan-made buses, cars, pharmaceuticals, motorbikes and other products to support local manufacturing. Public procurement should be a tool for nurturing homegrown industries.

Dr Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President, echoed this urgency. She called on investors to collaborate with local scientists and move innovations from the lab to the market. “Science must lead to economic value, not just ideas,” she told the press.

She added, “We now understand the market and we are ready to launch our products.” Uganda has reached a point where innovation must be directly tied to job creation and economic growth.

That is how we can create a future built on innovation, jobs, value addition and national pride.

The writer is a publisher