Universities urged to take lead in national research and innovation drive
UCU vice-chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, said universities must not only train graduates but also generate innovations that can transform the country’s economy
Prof. Mushengyezi said universities should not only focus on training graduates but also on generating innovations that can transform the country’s economy. (Courtesy Photo)
MUKONO - Universities have been challenged to take the lead in advancing research and innovation as a cornerstone for Uganda’s industrial and economic transformation.
The call was made during the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Research and Innovation Symposium held from October 16–17, 2025, at the university’s main campus in Mukono, under the theme: Innovating for an Industrialised Uganda.
The symposium, organised by the Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovation (DRPI) in collaboration with the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, brought together researchers, innovators, students, industry leaders and policymakers to explore how universities can drive industrialisation through applied research.
UCU vice-chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, said universities must not only train graduates but also generate innovations that can transform the country’s economy.
“If we are to industrialise our country, we must strengthen the link between academic research and industry,” he said.
“Industrialisation draws its prototypes and products from research. The challenge to academia is to step up and generate ideas that can change our nation and the world.”
Guest of honour Prof. Charles Kwesiga, the executive director of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), echoed the call, emphasising that universities are key players in any nation’s innovation ecosystem.
UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, together with Prof. Charles Kwesiga, Executive Director of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (C), is seen on the sidelines of the symposium organised by the Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovation (DRPI) in collaboration with the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies at UCU.
“Most global innovations have come from universities,” he said. “The electronic microscope, for instance, was developed by graduate students at the University of Toronto. The direction UCU is taking is the right one because research is the only way economies can modernise.”
Kwesiga also praised the ongoing collaboration between UCU and UIRI, which has enabled students to gain hands-on experience in industrial research and product design.
“We have hosted many of UCU’s bright and disciplined students in our Embedded Systems Laboratory, where they have designed microprocessors and developed prototypes for irrigation switching systems and other technologies,” he said.
During the symposium, participants explored innovations developed by UCU students and faculty across various disciplines, including technology, engineering, agriculture and health sciences. The event also featured poster presentations by PhD students and exhibitions of prototypes and policy briefs addressing national challenges.
DRPI director Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito commended the university’s leadership for consistently funding and promoting research initiatives. She encouraged student innovators to stay committed, noting that many successful innovations begin small.
The two-day event concluded with the recognition of outstanding UCU researchers who published at least two academic papers in 2024. The top award went to Dr. Emmanuel Eilu, who produced four publications.
The symposium reaffirmed UCU’s growing role as a research-led institution and its commitment to contributing to Uganda’s vision of a knowledge-based, industrialised economy.