Strengthening innovation requires separate ministry - Kadaga
Nov 09, 2015
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has re-echoed the call to have a separate Ministry of Science and Technology so as to give prominence to the innovative spirit, which is alive among Ugandans.
By John Odyek
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has re-echoed the call to have a separate Ministry of Science and Technology so as to give prominence to the innovative spirit, which is alive among Ugandans.
Kadaga explained that a ministry dedicated to issues of science and technology would help promote innovation and development and address some of the challenges the country is facing.
Citing the shortage of energy in Africa, Kadaga said, using solar energy, which is a vast and inexhaustible resource, would be the way to go instead of spending colossal sums of money in building hydro- power dams.
"Countries like China and India have moved forward because of their focus in harnessing the potential that science and technology has to offer, " she said while officiating as guest of honour at the Social Innovations Africa Forum at Victoria University.
She added that Uganda should borrow a leaf from such developed economies by harnessing solar energy through innovations of science and technology.
The Speaker applauded the university for showcasing to the world some of the innovations Ugandans have developed. She highlighted applications such as Matibabu, an application that tests for malaria without the need for a blood sample and WinSenga, a foetal heart rate monitor and a cervical cancer screening application.
The Vice-Chancellor Victoria University, Dr. Steven Isabalija, said the university is out to partner with government and the private sector and through experiential learning, focus on building a better society. He explained that innovation is the future for Uganda.
Social Innovations Africa is a forum that brings together entrepreneurs to celebrate social innovation as a way of inspiring people to embrace their innovative and entrepreneurial potential to change the world.
This is the second innovators forum that the university has organised. In July this year, the university organized the Mozilla East Africa Festival, where novel applications such as Matibabu and WinSenga, caught the president's attention and subsequently received funding.
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