By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, has challenged Makerere University Dons to focus on practical knowledge in order to achieve the country’s agenda of a 500 Billion USD Economy, which emphasises science, innovation and ICT. He tasked the university to convert all the good ideas it has into practical systems that can translate into economic growth.
Eng. Jonard Asiimwe made the call on September 17, 2026, at the conclusion of his three- day tour to different colleges at Makerere University.
During his tour, he toured different Colleges including; College of Engineering, Design Art and Technology ( CEDAT), College of computing, College of Natural Sciences, Business incubation center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB), Makerere University Museum, Infectious Disease Institute ( IDI), School of Public Health and College of social sciences and Humanities among others.
In his message after inspecting the different colleges, Minister Asiimwe said he was impressed with the practical innovations taking place within colleges.
At the school of Public Health, the Minister said he has observed that Uganda has the capability to prevent diseases. While at University museum, he said it’s a source of institutional prestige, noting that it can become a tourist attraction and tasked the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to look at it.
The Minister tasked Makerere University dons to use the knowledge they have to improve Uganda’s economy and pledged government’s commitment to working with the University administration.
“Our partnership must be judged by translation. Therefore, Makerere University must translate my short visit into a practical agenda,” Minister Jonard Asiimwe directed.
The Minister directed the University to identify a portfolio of high potential innovations that can reach certification, and licensing procurement on investment within a defined time frame.
He also tasked the university to organize systematic engagements beginning with Artificial Intelligence for a health and pathogen economy, extending to mobility, Agro-industralization, advanced materials, digital transformation and other national priorities.
He directed the University to establish a structured University Industrial exchange model such that knowledge flows in both directions.
“Agree on sustainable access, staffing maintenance and business models for strategic laboratories and common user facilities. You should also strengthen communication function so that innovators receive coordinated support on intellectual property, regulation, standards, business modeling investment and market access,” Minister Asiimwe said.
Minister Jonard Asiimwe said of the proposed 500 billion USD economy, 80% is to be triggered by science, innovation and ICT. He, however revealed that in science and technology, Makerere University is faring well.
On the other hand, Prof. John David Kabasa, who lectures at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB), said the college was built to champion science, innovation and technology in line with a presidential directive where he tasked the college to upgrade the faculty of Veterinary Medicine from simply delivering medicines to widen and offer a wide range of scientific services including production of technology and innovation that solve challenges in the development of animal industry as well as public health challenges of the animal sector.
Prof. John David Kabasa, further revealed that his college has so far worked on some vaccines including, COVID vaccine, Ant-tick vaccine and many more developed in terms of poultry vaccines.
