Tumwine tips students on innovation

Security minister Gen. Elly Tumwine has said that sustainable innovations that provide solutions tailored for local needs, are urgently needed for the economy.

Tumwiine made the remarks while officiating at the eighth annual College of Engineering, Design Art and Technology (CEDAT) open day exhibition held at Makerere University on Friday and Saturday.

"Do not do things for the sake, create sustainable innovative projects. Government is more interested in funding projects that solve problems of the local people," said the minister who is also an alumnus of CEDAT.

"Innovations should improve society and the rest of the world by bettering situations. I have seen your innovations on insurance, how I can control my fridge and cooker on a phone. How about you developing an app on how I can monitor and sell my long horned cattle across borders," he said.

Students showcased a range of projects including art pieces, sculptures exhibited by students of industrial art, a modern museum with a food hub for the different tribes in Uganda and an automated parking system developed by a student of mechanical engineering.

Everest Ampaire a third year student who developed the parking system, urged government to fund their model project so as to actualise them. Ampaire believed that the system would solve congestion in Kampala.

Eng. Badru Kiggundu, the former Electoral Commission chairman, assured students of government's support towards their projects, giving the example of Kiira EV project which got transformed into Kiira Motors.

Makerere University vice chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe appealed to government to link investors to the institution.

"As a research institution we rely on partners particularly in the industries to turn our innovations into products sellable on the market. I appeal for support in attracting the right investors to join us in the cause," Nawangwe said.