What next now that Uganda’s science is ‘ready for market’?
At this year’s National Science Week at Kololo Ceremonial grounds, Uganda’s ambitions echoed loud and clear: not only is the country ready to bring its innovations to market, but it is also eyeing global participation in the innovations sectors like electronic and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Two bold claims, one about Uganda’s ability to manufacture semiconductors and the other about scaling up domestic electronics production drew both excitement and skepticism.
As FRANK KISAKYE writes, many are wondering how a country still grappling with potholes and urban flooding can think about microchip fabrication. Dr Cosmas Mwikirize, the superintendent of industrial value chains at the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat (STI-OP), says the vision is neither naive nor premature.
It’s grounded in what’s already working. Uganda, Mwikirize explains, is no longer theorizing about science, it’s building and living with it. He says since 2021, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) investments have helped create over 70,000 high-quality jobs, attracted over Shs 3.4 trillion in venture capital, and trained nearly 3,000 industrial scientists.
The country now has an annual production capacity of 10,000 vehicles, supported by 21 component manufacturers producing everything from brake pads and batteries to digital systems. Recently, during the budget reading, minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija said Uganda recently signed a letter of intent to supply over 37,000 electric buses to West Africa.
Furthermore, beyond mobility, Uganda is positioning itself as a continental leader in the “pathogen economy,” especially in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. At Makerere University, researchers developed a PCR testing kit used in over 2 million Covid-19 tests, saving the government an estimated Shs 140 billion in import costs.
Meanwhile, local firm Microhaem Scientific is producing rapid diagnostic tests for malaria and HIV/Aids, already in use in hospitals nationwide. Science, as minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Monica Musenero noted, is no longer the reserve of lab coats and equations.
It must work with non-scientists to register companies, market products, and move innovations into homes and businesses. At the heart of this integration is the Innovation, Technology Development & Transfer (ITDT) program, which connects STI initiatives across ministries, departments, and Agencies. STI-OP coordinates this ecosystem, ensuring that innovations align with national development priorities.
Policy-wise, the secretariat has opted for cautious flexibility. Rather than rushing into rigid laws that could quickly become outdated, Uganda is embracing “active learning” from over 30 countries to inform its STI legal and policy frameworks.
MODERN SCIENCE MEETS TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
One of the most impactful STI initiatives has been the formal onboarding of traditional herbal scientists into Uganda’s health innovation system. Until recently, not a single herbal remedy had undergone clinical trials even though over 70% of Ugandans rely on traditional medicine.
That’s changing through CONAT (Clinical Trials for Natural Therapeutics). Trials on two herbal products targeting respiratory infections have already been completed. Over 30 other herbal formulations for malaria, diabetes and cancer are in the pipeline.
Mwikirize says initial mistrust from herbalists, fearful of intellectual theft has been overcome through legal protections and consistent community engagement. A standout success is Kazire Herbal, which has now undergone dosage standardization and awaits National Drug Authority clearance for hospital prescription.
Mwikirize says Kazire, which has been found to possess more efficacy than any other malaria drug currently on the market, possess both preventive and curative elements.
CHIPS AND ELECTRONICS BREAKTHROUGH
Uganda isn’t manufacturing semiconductor chips yet but it’s laying the groundwork. The STI Secretariat has begun feasibility studies to add value to Uganda’s abundant quartz by producing intermediate materials like ingots and wafers.
More significantly, Uganda now boasts an end-to-end electronics design and manufacturing facility. With a 10,000-unit annual capacity for Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), Uganda-made products including electric meters, industrial systems, and consumer electronics are already being sold locally and internationally.
“For the first time, a Ugandan startup or engineer with a working circuit design doesn’t need to look to Shenzhen to bring it to life. They can do it right here, at home. We are already designing and manufacturing electric meters, industrial control systems, computers, and a range of domestic appliances, all without shipping designs or prototypes outside the country. Yes, we still import key components like chips, but the capacity to build complete electronics systems on Ugandan soil is no longer a dream.”
“Why does this matter for us? Because it marks Uganda’s entry into one of the most valuable and strategic arenas of the global economy. Electronics power everything, from phones and fridges to smart agriculture and transport systems.”
CRACKING THE COMMERCIALIZATION CODE
Still, challenges persist. Many innovators stall at the prototype stage, a phenomenon STI-OP calls the “black box.” The skills needed to transition from idea to scalable product remain scarce.
To address this, STI is investing in prototyping facilities, mid-stream manufacturing, and industrial mentorship. Institutions like Kiira Motors and the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) are now acting as “pathfinders,” clearing the road for future innovators.
“MADE IN UGANDA” SUPERMARKET
A symbolic highlight of Science Week the “Made in Uganda” Supermarket is also becoming a permanent fixture. Originally a live demonstration, the innovation marketplace will soon expand into a flagship store in Kampala, with automated vending machines and regional franchise outlets in the pipeline. But it’s more than shelf space.
Innovators gain brand support, marketing and visibility. “Even when I put my product on the shelf, you might bypass it because you saw an ad for the imported one,” said Cathy Muwumuza, the superintendent of Support Services at STI-OP.
fkisakye@gmail.com
Read the full interview here
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