Musenero urges Ugandans to embrace science to drive jobs, industry

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The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero, has called on Ugandans to embrace science, technology and innovation as the foundation for building industries, creating jobs and driving the country’s economic transformation.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday (March 16), Musenero emphasised the need for the country to move beyond traditional science education and focus on modern technologies that solve real-life problems.

“Many of us studied science in the old times, but now we need the cutting edge of that science,” Musenero said, noting that scientific knowledge alone is not enough unless it is translated into practical technologies and innovations that benefit society.

She explained that the development chain begins with scientists generating knowledge, which is then transformed into technologies by developers and ultimately packaged into practical solutions by innovators.

According to the minister, Uganda must strengthen each stage of this chain if it is to address challenges such as unemployment and slow industrial growth.

“The technology is there, for example, a solar panel, but the question is how do you make it create jobs and solve people’s problems,” she said.

Musenero stressed that after innovation, the next crucial stage is manufacturing, which she described as one of the most important sectors for Uganda’s future economic growth.

She noted that millions of people will be needed in manufacturing across various professions, including engineering, innovation management and technical operations.

However, the minister expressed concern that Uganda currently faces a shortage of people with the right practical skills to fill these roles.

“One of my biggest problems right now is that we cannot find people with the relevant skills, yet we have educated people,” she said.

Musenero added that in some cases, companies are forced to import skilled labour because local graduates lack the competencies required by the evolving industrial sector.

She attributed this gap partly to training systems that focus more on academic knowledge rather than practical and industry-oriented skills.

Beyond manufacturing, Musenero also highlighted entrepreneurship as another area where Uganda needs urgent improvement.

She described entrepreneurship as one of the scarcest skills among young people, despite it being essential for transforming ideas into successful businesses.

“The entrepreneurship we are teaching is not helping the kind of street entrepreneurship that needs to be done,” she said.

According to the minister, many businesses in Uganda remain small and informal, with limited capacity to grow into sustainable enterprises.

“What we have here are very many small, informal businesses that are just waiting to die,” she said.

Musenero urged Ugandans to focus on building strong, enduring businesses that can survive across generations, similar to companies in other parts of the world that have existed for decades or even centuries.

She also encouraged professionals, students and even retirees to participate in upcoming science and career discussions aimed at helping Ugandans identify opportunities within the country’s science-driven economy.

Musenero noted that people who retire at around 60 years still have decades of productive life ahead and can use their experience to contribute to innovation and enterprise development.

“Even if you are already an engineer with a small job, don’t think that career guidance is not for you,” she said.

The minister further announced plans for a major engagement, the National Career Guidance Day on March 20, 2026, at the Kololo Independence Grounds, where government leaders, scientists and education officials will interact with the public on opportunities in science, technology and innovation.

She said the event is expected to be attended by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady and Education Minister Mrs Janet Kataaha Museveni, among other stakeholders.

The engagement will feature discussions, exhibitions and interactive sessions aimed at guiding young people on career choices and exposing them to emerging opportunities in the science and technology sector.

Musenero said the initiative is part of government efforts to transform scientific research into products, industries and jobs that can accelerate Uganda’s development.

She urged Ugandans from all backgrounds to participate in the discussions, stressing that science should not be viewed as a field reserved only for scientists.

“Even if you did not traditionally study science, come and see how you can benefit from it,” she said.