BLOGS | MUHANGI | WOMEN 

Wednesday, March 8, was International Women’s Day. In Uganda, it was celebrated in Kiruhura District under the theme “Equal opportunities in Education, Science and Technology for Innovation and a Gender Equal Future. 

The theme rhymes with that for the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 which is “Equity and Parity in Science for Peace and Development”.

It is more interesting to note that the choice of Kiruhura District to host the women’s day celebrations preceded by a series of related activities, was premised on the ongoing effort at the Rwebiteete village along Masaka-Mbarara Highway where government is establishing the National Science Technology Engineering and Innovation Centre (NSTEIC). 

The project is being implemented by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).

The themes are a manifestation of an unequivocal commitment by Uganda government and the international community to eliminating gender disparity in science, technological innovation, employment opportunities. 

The government initiatives to empower women in science and technology are in line with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women which emphasises access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work.

UNCST recognises the critical that science and gender equality play in the achievement of the internationally agreed sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063. 

For instance, in the area of research, UNCST’s technology transfer initiatives, including ongoing identification of climate-smart technologies to support Uganda’s climate change mitigation and adaptation actions, take cognizance of the differentiated roles and needs of women as well as the barriers to women’s access to technologies and endeavour to meaningfully engage them in selecting the most appropriate options. UNCST further generates gender-disaggregated data on women’s access to and usage of technology and their participation in science, research and development. 

This provides evidence to inform science, technology and innovation (STI) policy and actions.

UNCST ensures that there is equity in access to opportunities for research funding, research interventions involve and consider the needs of women, excellence and contribution of both Ugandan women and men to scientific and technological development endeavours are recognised, and that the rights and interests of human research participants, especially women among other vulnerable groups are protected during research endeavours. 

UNCST’s youth mentorship programmes seek to address science-gender bias and work with lead institutions in gender, research and higher education, to mainstream gender equity in research, through the initiative on Gender Equity in Research (GERA).

It is also worth noting that in the upskilling and retooling centre being established in Kiruhura, the architects were deliberate on gender considerations by providing for three mega halls of residence for women which will together accommodate a total 422 learners on top 14 semi-detached apartments for female instructors. 

This gesture will be reflected in the other project components such as the Innovation and Technopreneurship Centre in Namanve which will offer innovations, business incubation and technologies in finished leather, textile, CT and multimedia plus production of microchips.

During the Women’s Day celebrations yesterday at Sanga Town council grounds, the exhibitions excitingly featured women innovators in Science and Technology making a difference in society by boosting local content and import substitution efforts. 

Prominent among the exhibitors was Prof. Mauda Kamatenesi Mugisha of Bishop Stuart University and principal investigator in the Essential Oils Project. 

The other was Dr. Deborah Ruth Amulen, of the College of Veterinary, Makerere University, a researcher and investor in the Beneficial Insects Value chain addition. 

The two famous researchers with support from the Science Granting Councils Project under UNCST, are churning out unique products from local materials using innovative technologies.

From Lemon grass, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender plants Prof. 

Kamatenesi project does extract essential oil-based products, including massage oil, cosmetics, cough syrup a remedy for respiratory tract infections, herbal jerry, soaps and shampoos. 

She boasts of a special oil extractor and a commercial distiller based at Bishop Stuart University. Her project has established and boosted out growers in aromatic crops and some of her products are gradually replacing synthetic fragrances.

Dr. Amulen on other hand exhibited and demonstrated high-value products that can be developed from insects and how they can be applied to nutrition and human health. Some of her irresistible products include medicinal body lotion from honey, bee propolis, shea butter, larva for local fish, chicken feed, bee venom powder and propolis tea infusion.

 As we continue to celebrate women’s day, let us appreciate efforts and institutions leading the initiatives to promote gender parity in education, science and technology plus the exemplary women innovators leading the way in contributing to a knowledge-based -prosperous Science and Technology led society. 

The writer is the communications officer of the Ministry of Science and Technology