Uganda’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, has unveiled the government’s ambitious National Science, Technology, and Innovation (NSTI) strategy, which is aimed at driving economic transformation.
The strategy, which Dr. Musenero unveiled today during the Global Innovation Index (GII) Symposium at Mestil Hotel and Residences in Kampala, today, aims to transform Uganda into a modern, prosperous nation by 2040.
She outlined five key industrial priorities which are; mobility, health, aeronautics, infrastructure, and Industry 4.0, highlighting Uganda’s whole-of-nation approach to developing a comprehensive STI ecosystem.
“To support this vision, we are actively investing in infrastructure, human capital, and attracting investment,” Dr. Musenero declared.
Echoing the sentiment that “science is both funny and interesting, and it lives in our minds as ideas,” the minister underscored the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government to propel Uganda’s innovation agenda forward.
Five Key Industrial Priorities
According to Musenero, the NSTI strategy focuses on five key industrial priorities:
Mobility
Developing innovative transportation solutions to enhance connectivity and economic growth.
Health
Leveraging STI to improve healthcare outcomes and address pressing health challenges.
Aeronautics
Developing the aviation industry and related technologies to drive economic growth.
Infrastructure
Investing in infrastructure to support STI development and economic growth.
Industry 4.0
Embracing the fourth industrial revolution to drive innovation and competitiveness.
Whole-of-Nation Approach
Dr. Musenero emphasised Uganda’s whole-of-nation approach to developing a comprehensive STI ecosystem. This approach, she said, involves collaboration between academia, industry, and government to propel Uganda’s innovation agenda forward.
Investing in Infrastructure, Human Capital, and Investment
To support the NSTI strategy, Musenero said that the government is actively investing in:
Infrastructure
By developing research institutions, innovation hubs, and other infrastructure to support STI development.
Human Capital
Through building the capacity of Ugandans to develop and apply STI solutions.
Attracting Investment
Encouraging local and foreign investment in STI to drive innovation and economic growth.
Collaboration and Determination
Dr. Musenero underscored the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government to drive innovation.
She noted that with a clear roadmap and unwavering determination, Uganda aims to leapfrog from the margins to the forefront of global innovation.
A Brighter, Better Future
The NSTI strategy has the potential to transform Uganda into a modern, prosperous nation, according to Musenero.
By prioritising STI development and collaboration, Uganda can drive economic growth, improve healthcare outcomes, and build a brighter future for its citizens.