Minister urges Makerere to turn research into industries and economic value

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Jonard Asiimwe has urged Makerere University to move more quickly from academic research to commercial products, industries and economic opportunities. The appeal was made at the opening of a two-day engagement with the university focused on how Uganda’s science, technology and innovation system can better turn research into practical solutions and industrial growth.

According to the report, Asiimwe linked the push to Uganda’s stated ambition of building a US$500 billion economy by 2040. He described Makerere as an important institution in the national innovation agenda, pointing to areas such as electric mobility, biotechnology, health research, artificial intelligence and digital innovation. The minister said universities should be central to scientific discovery, technology development and productivity gains if the country is to meet its long-term economic goals.

The report says Asiimwe emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among universities, industry and government so that research does not remain confined to academic publications. He argued that Uganda’s future prosperity will depend on producing knowledge, applying innovation to national problems and converting intellectual capacity into measurable economic value.

The development comes as the government continues to present science, technology and innovation as drivers of industrialisation, job creation and value addition. More broadly, universities such as Makerere are often viewed as key sources of research talent and prototypes, but the challenge for many institutions is building the financing, partnerships and market pathways needed to turn innovations into sustainable enterprises.