Parliament will next week host the second Science, Technology, Innovation and exhibition that is intended to identify creative ideas that require government interventions and funding.
Under the theme ‘Transforming the country through Ugandan innovations,’ the exhibition will be held at the Parliament Ground parking from December 10 to 14, 2018.
Over 800 local innovators are expected at the exhibition, which is being organized by the Parliament Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation.
According to Kigulu North MP and Committee Chairperson of Science, Technology, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga said exhibition and entrance are free of charge, government will support innovators so that Uganda can match the pace of developed nations, where innovation, science, and technology are the primary pillars of economic growth.
“The objectives of this exhibition is to empower and support the innovators, enhance social economic transformation of the country through application and use of local materials and finally identify innovations that require government interventions and funding,” he said Parliament.
“We did not get any funding because there was no framework governing the use of the fund. The innovation fund was to be drawn from the Consolidated Fund and since its public resources, the guidelines are necessary,” He said.
He revealed that the Ministry of Science and Technology is currently carrying out countrywide consultations to draft guidelines before the next budget reading.
He implored innovators to come and exhibit new ideas, creative thoughts and imaginations in form of new devices, methods and procedures and value additions, in the various fields.
Mr Bwino said, the institution of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau would attend the exhibition so as to provide important information to innovators on the need to protect their intellectual property rights from what he called ‘intellectual thieves and pirates’.