Technology minister directs universities account for innovation funds

Nov 27, 2023

Musenero said universities are hubs of expertise, and they are expected to solve complex societal problems, but still, unemployment and poverty remain a big threat to the country.

The Science and Technology minister Dr Monica Musenero (right) with Hassan Bassajjabalaba chairman board of trustees during the graduation at Kampala International University on November 25, 2023.

Ibrahim Ruhweza
Journalist @New Vision

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The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, has challenged universities to account for innovation funds by linking products to the economy.

Musenero was officiating a graduation event at Kampala International University, Kansanga, on Saturday, where 1862 students graduated, with 53.5% and 46.7% females and males, respectively.

She said universities are hubs of expertise, and they are expected to solve complex societal problems, but still, unemployment and poverty remain a big threat to the country.

Musenero stated that it should have been the work of such institutions to produce quality innovations and link them to the economy.

“We are looking for something; we have a special resource village. We have had great sciences in our universities across Africa, but we have not yet seen the impact of that science in our economies,” she said.

She said the role of her ministry is to link science to the economy and see how great science can be for people.

According to Musenero, science is knowledge everyone should have, and so students have to graduate with ideas that can save them from unemployment.

“We have the resources that we need, but they have to be understood and developed through science, technology, and innovation to create opportunities for the ever-growing population so that they can have a livelihood,” she said.

Musenero said that once graduates are equipped with scientific knowledge, they can apply it everywhere and live happily.

She acknowledged that Uganda is developing at a slow pace because most of the programs have not been channelled or directed to science properly.

Countries that are highly developed, such as Japan, China, India, the United Kingdom, the USA, Germany, or Russia, have invested in science and technology, and their people are encouraged to participate.

“If our nation is poor, then we have not yet appropriately applied science; that is the task we have,” she said.

The technology minister encouraged all leaders, in their respective capacities, to inspire people and show them the importance of science in developing economies.

Mahamoud Mpezamihigo, the KIU vice chancellor, called for more support from the government towards funding research with the intention of finding the best ideas to help people within local communities.

Mpezamihigo also challenged the government to reinstate the loan scheme program in private universities, saying that science courses are expensive for students.

This was also seconded by Iddi Bassajjabalaba, who said that innovations benefit everyone once the product is out. He stressed that students studying at private universities face many challenges, ranging from tuition to

“A high number of students in private universities dropped out because of COVID-19; they had a lot of demands, and for the ones that have graduated, over struggled,” he said.

Musenero further challenged them to translate scientific research ideas into development points.

The research must be translated into industries, and they must be turned into enterprises, and once they are able to sell, then it will be good for us all since everyone will be able to benefit,” she said.

During the science week that was organized at Kololo independence grounds, Musenero said that she managed to witness the breathtaking ideas of students, and if well supported, the country could be self-reliant in every discipline.

According to Musenero, the government is willing to support every individual or institution with an idea that is helpful.

“I was telling the board of trustees that for us, we don’t follow names; we follow ideas. If you have a great idea, it doesn’t matter whether you are at a private or public university. We support everyone,” she said.

Accordingly, for an institution to get funded, the quality of its ideas matters.

The NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi (left) interacts with Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko during the graduation ceremony at Kampala International University on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi (left) interacts with Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko during the graduation ceremony at Kampala International University on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Francis Emorut)



On his part, Robert Kyagulanyi, the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), encouraged the youth to play their part to reduce unemployment. 

He said the world has become too competitive, and if one is not well prepared, they are likely to miss out on some opportunities.

“While we are preparing people for a new Uganda, we want them to be employable. On your side, as a young person, be sure you are employable, and then we as leaders keep pushing,” he advised.

Kyagulanyi asked guardians, parents, or sponsors to help the youth with passion and support their educational needs. One of his gardeners, Sherif Higenyi, was among the graduates whom he has been paying up to the end of his course.

Higenyi graduated with a diploma in public administration.

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