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 NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2023 

The Ugandan government has said it is to support the country's top seven science innovators for their creations, a move aimed at inspiring other scientists as well as enhancing social economic transformation.

Dr Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, revealed this on Tuesday while briefing investors and guests attending the National Science Week 2023 expo in Kampala.

“The government is going to sign an agreement with Uganda Development Bank next week to support the first science innovators,” she said as she took the investors and guests around the exhibition stalls at Kololo Independence Grounds, the venue of this year's edition.

Minister Musenero (C) and investors viewing samples of mineral deposits

The seven top science innovators include higher former education and technology state minister Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa, who is currently the executive chairman of Kiira Motors Corporation.

The others are;

▪️ Covidex innovator Prof. Patrick Ogwang
▪️ Prof Vinand Mukatabala Nantulya
▪️ Rev. Dr. Florence Isabirye Muranga, head of Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre
▪️ Musa Wakibi, founder of Machinery Uganda Limited
▪️ Dr Moses Kizza Musaazi, creator of Makapads
▪️ Christopher Nsamba Matovu, the brains behind baby incubator

▪️ Prof. Ogwang, the brains behind Covidex

Covidex is creation of Prof. Patrick Ogwang

Three of the seven have since died — Musa Wakibi, Dr Moses Kizza Musaazi and Christopher Nsamba Matovu — and minister Musenero said the government will support their innovations with the people they left behind.

The faces of the top scientists are on display over the course of the science fair for expogoers to view and be inspired.

New musical instruments

Meanwhile, Musenero also said the government will fund a project to manufacture new musical instruments in a bid to promote the music industry.

She said the current instruments were developed a long time ago and therefore, using advanced technology and innovations, new ones must be produced.

“We are going to fund a project to manufacture new musical instruments."

Dr Musenero addressing investors

This year's science week, which got under way on Monday, is themed: 'UgandaTusimbudde: Our science-led journey towards socio-economic transformation'.

The week-long expo is designed around the thematic areas of: import substitution, aeronautics and space, mobility, pathogen economy, infrastructure innovation, productivity acceleration and industry.

Different exhibition stalls are showcasing a variety of stuff, ranging from minerals and automobiles to agriculture, infrastructure, and foods and beverages.

One of the stalls is displaying Pombeguard, a new drink dubbed as an anti-hangover. Part of its name, pombe, is derived from the Kiswahili word alcohol.

Its inventor, Ronnie Kalyango (pictured below, L), spoke of his optimism that the anti-hangover product will be effective.

▪️ Uganda tops Africa in alcohol consumption

'No effects'

A 2023 World Health Organization report ranked Uganda as the top consumer of alcohol in Africa.

The report said that on average, a Ugandan consumes 12.21 litres of pure alcohol annually, with men consuming more than women.

With that in mind, products like Pombeguard should come in handy. 

But it is important to remember that harmful use of alcohol is the underlying factor in more than 200 diseases and injuries globally, according to the WHO.

Meanwhile, minister Musenero had already told a science and technology dinner in Kampala that Pombeguard has passed laboratory tests.

"This is a beverage that accompanies your bottle [alcohol]. When you take it and take alcohol, when you wake up, you are as clean and as sober as if nothing happened," she said last Friday.

"The drink is natural and has no effects."

At Kololo, the minister said there is potential to put up a factory if adequate funding is obtained to increase productivity of workers affected by hangovers.

Away from the Pombeguard stall, guests marvelled at many other innovations on show.

One of them is Bingwa, a three-wheel vehicle created by Kevoton Motions Limited. It can carry a tonne (1,000 kilogrammes) of items, generate 6Kw of electricity and spray 6,000 litres of water per hour.

Allan Muhumuza, the team leader of mobility at the science fair, told expogoers that a new card has been manufactured for passengers to use for electric bus transportation.

This means you don't have to carry cash to pay for the transport service.

During a panel discussion at Kololo, former Sunday Vision editor and now science trainer and researcher, Dr Charles Wendo, urged scientists to simplify scientific facts to enable journalists educate the public on key developments, whether it is about vaccine trials or research findings.

“As scientists, you need to be strategic and communicate information which is easy to understand and know the time when you are releasing a report and avoid being spectators,” he said.

The students of Ntinda Vacational Training Institute talking about their locally manufactured vehicle

In her comments, science minister Musenero urged media practitioners to create awareness among the public on important scientific innovations as opposed to being obsessed with negative reporting.

She said an overload of negative news scares away potential investors who would want to fund a particular innovation.

Musenero also underlined the need to build partnerships and collaborations with the media to foster development.