For a consultation meeting on the draft Science, Technology, & Innovation Policy 2026, hundreds of industrious innovators from all across the nation convened at Enterprise Uganda’s Butabika home. This came after earlier interactions in which the innovators brought attention to problems such as the absence of GoU support.
Dr. James Kisaale UNCST Executive Secretary stated, “Governments around the world deal with organized groups, and if innovators are to tap into government resources, they must mobilize and group themselves to increase their bargaining power.”
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Charles Ocici stated, “Innovation is not rewarded in the middle; a product must be on the market for you to benefit from your idea.” He also urged inventors to patent their creations if they wanted to profit from them.
Dr. Kisaale James, in the innovators’ consultative meeting, highlighted some of the trailblazers in the fields of mechanical, agricultural, and natural medicine. Given the current political will and peace, which not only draw investments but also foster local scientific advances, Dr. James Kisaale reassured the nation that Uganda was headed toward socioeconomic transformation.
In order to connect with the market, innovators will have the opportunity to present their discoveries in 2027 when a similar meetings will be organised.
The UNCST Act of 2009 establishes the council, the mandate was expanded by H.E Gen Y. K Museveni in 2022 to the following duties: (1) regulate all aspects of science, technology, and innovation in Uganda; (2) translate STI into standards and regulations to guide the operations of the entire STI System; (3) monitor and evaluate STI activities and compliance with STI regulations; and (4) home professionals science institutions and continuous development. The UNCST is under the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President.
H.E. Gen. Y.K. Museveni, the president of Uganda, has been focusing on the country’s scientific agenda since 1986. The UNCST Act of 1990 was established under his innovative leadership after he took office in 1986, paving the stage for the council’s creation.
