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In Uganda, and across the Sub-Saharan Africa, we all largely face several societal issues such as health crises, environmental challenges, energy shortages, and unemployment. These issues require innovative solutions rooted in scientific research. However, a persistent gap exists between research outputs and their practical application. Addressing this gap is crucial if we are to realize our vision of a knowledge-driven economy. Also, bridging this gap is in line with the National STI System goal of “growing the contribution of knowledgebased goods and services to the national economy by increasing domestic productivity, import substitution, and exporting products resulting from Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), as well as using known technology to add value to the whole spectrum of our raw materials”.
Over time, the UNCST has taken steps to promote research and innovation. UNCST established frameworks for research funding, supported capacity building, and fostered collaborations between academia and industry. However, the drive to effective commercialization remains complex, stalled by inadequate intellectual property management, limited access to markets, and a deficiency of entrepreneurial skills among researchers.
The Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda – Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba
The purpose of this conference is to explore ways of addressing these challenges. Moving research results from the laboratory into practical application is fundamental and transforming these results and ideas into market-ready solutions is also fundamental. By leveraging these areas, we can fast-track the impact of our research initiatives, generate wealth, create new enterprises, embrace value addition, and create employment opportunities. Moreover, solutions that improve health, enhance food security, promote renewable energy, and protect our environment can be developed and implemented.
