The government has today launched the 2022 National Exhibition for Science Week, (NEWS 22), Uganda’s annual showcase of science, technology and innovation to document progress made towards technological advancement to steer national development.

The week will be held between 6th to 10th November 2022 at the Kololo Ceremonial Ground under the theme “Uganda 2040; The Future We want through STI”.

Speaking at the launch held at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Trade Fair, where the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat is a platinum Sponsor, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero said technological advancement in today’s world dictates that science and technology hold the key to the progress and development of any nation.

“As the world moves deep into the fourth industrial revolution, Science and Technology has taken on the fundamental role of wealth creation, improvement of the quality of life and real economic growth and transformation. The Government of Uganda has positioned STI as the vital driver for socio-economic development and transformation as laid down Vision 2040.

The National Exhibition Week for Science (NEWS) provides us with a platform to showcase innovations and technologies across all sectors that are steering us towards achieving the national development goals and fighting poverty.”

This year, the NEWS will focus on Aeronautics and Space Science; Mobility (Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry); Pathogen Economy; Industry 4.0+; Infrastructure Innovations; Productivity Acceleration; Import Substitution; and Export Targeted Science, Technology and Innovation. Alongside we will showcase innovations of relevant Support Services innovated to catapult the science-led socio-economic transformation, as cast in vision2040.

The NEWS will come to a crescendo into the Celebration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, on 10th November 2022 where H.E the President is the Chief Guest accompanies by visiting Heads of State.

“Our vision is to see Uganda as the best technologically advanced and most innovative nation in the region.

STI is a key driver of economic growth and a prime source of competition in the global marketplace. “At least 50% of global economic development is attributable to innovations and investment in STI,” Dr Musenero added.

According to NDP III, the government will invest in the development of a solid eco-system through incorporating science education in primary, secondary and university curricula thereby making science and technology accessible at all levels of learning, partnerships between university research institutions and industry to make it attractive for human capital development and raising awareness of how research can drive high technology innovation and wealth creation.

“The government is cognizant of the need to invest in research and innovation for sustainable socio-economic transformation. A number of projects have been undertaken including: Research and Development in vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics; manufacture of both clean diesel engine and electric buses; construction of Uganda’s first satellite due for launch in November 2022; facilitating the adoption and local manufacturing of Industry 4.0+ technologies sector; construction of skilling and component manufacturing centres; among others. All these and more will be on display for the public to witness during the National Science for Week exhibition,” Dr. Musenero added.

A number of Ugandan innovators are expected to showcase during the exhibition

Through this activity, we intend to create awareness of value addition resulting from Science, Technology and Innovation, foster strategic partnerships with various stakeholders including the public and private sectors, and increase the market potential of indigenous products in the region and globally so as to enhance Uganda’s competitiveness both within the region and globally,” Dr. Musenero said.

“The exhibition at the Kololo Airstrip is one that we are looking forward to especially as we showcase the innovations that are being championed by the enterprising youth of this nation. Opportunities to acquire the necessary investment and support to take these innovations to the market will also be presented. I encourage all stakeholders; government MDAs, private sector, academia, research institutions, development partners, the business community and the general public to come in large numbers and attend as we all play a part in creating the future of our beloved nation,” she said

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As efforts to revive businesses after the covid pandemic continue, the Aga Khan Foundation in collaboration with European Union and MoTIV Creations have today launched a business recovery program dubbed the “Cottage Industry Catapult program” to support businesses in the creative sector.

According to a report from UNESCO, the cultural and creatives industry was affected heavily with a total of 10 million jobs lost in the sector worldwide in 2020. This had an impact not only on individuals, but also the wider economy wiping $750 billion off the value of the global cultural and creative industries, the reshaping policies for creativity report notes.

Speaking during the press briefing to launch the program, Olga Namukuza Program Manager Aga khan Foundation said,“As part of the Covid-19 response initiatives for Eastern Africa to reduce the impact caused by the pandemic on businesses and strengthen the entrepreneurial capacity of the young people in Uganda.”

The Cottage Industry Catapult program was created out of the urgent need to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on creative businesses and intends to revamp business productivity for sustainable growth to create more employment opportunities and avert poverty among the young creatives.

The program seeks to train and provide access to raw materials for 200 MSMEs, give 100 business access to trained labor and 50 MSMEs access to finance.

Namukuza Said, “The program will identify key businesses affected by the pandemic within the creative sector and these will receive financial support to allow them increase their operational capital, boost daily cash flows and empower them to expand their businesses after attaining financial stability.”

Adding that, in a period of 30 months, “we hope to have directly impact 140,000 individuals and indirectly supported 300,000 businesses across all sectors of the economy. 35,000 of these must be businesses in the creative and 60% are women, Namukuza noted.

Carol Kagezi, the Community Lead at MoTIV said the program is a great opportunity for a fresh start for businesses in the creative sector, which for the last two years continued to lag due to the impact ofCovid-19 containment measures.

“At the advent of the pandemic, many creative businesses including, artisans and makers within our ecosystem collapsed leaving the majority deeply in debt with no active source of income or revenue generation streams. Therefore, the program provides an opportunity for many creatives to pick up where they left off to kick start and revive their businesses. s.”

Kagezi said, “Each creative enterprise that goes through the program will participate in a 2-day demo activity where they will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas. The winning pitches will receive funding to be directed to their businesses. Besides, the financial support, they will be equipped with entrepreneurial skills to refine and scale their business models and be on-boarded on to our digital marketplace “Omwoleso. Africa” a platform that provides access a wider market”

Kagezi added, “We believe that by supporting the recovery of the creative sector, we will open the sector’s unique potential to create an unstoppable multiplier economic effect that will drive industrial growth, employment opportunities for the youth and revenue generation directed towards transforming our socio-economic trajectory upwards.”  

Despite these notable contributions of the creative industry to the economy. There is still plenty of work to be done before it can live up to its full potential. Inadequate financial support, limited access to market, skilling, and professional capacity to produce quality products and services are some of the challenges that have limited the growth of the sector. Therefore, the Cottage Industry Catapult program seeks to address some of these challenges that have for long deterred the growth of the creative sector.

The application process is now open until 16th October 2022.  To participate in the program visit: https://vfnafrica.com/relieffund/

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Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Joy Ruth Acheng, has expressed her dismay over political activist William Ntege aka Kyuma Kya Yesu of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to confront the Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda.

Ntege confronted the minister during the Busoga Innovation Symposium 2022 in Canada. Babalanda and the third Deputy Prime minister Rukia Nakadama had accompanied His Highness the Kyabazinga of Busoga Willian Gabula Nadiope IV.

“Stop lying there is no peace in Uganda, Stop lying……,” Ntege said while kneeling before the minister.

Acheng said “I express my disappointment on the act of Mr. Ntege against the Minister of Presidency while on her official duty in Canada. I strongly condemn this and am following it up with the Government of Canada and he will account for his bad actions against the Minister, this is unacceptable.”

She promised to follow up on the matter with the Canadian authorities for Ntege to be punished.

Speaking during the meeting, Babalanda said, “Those who aspire to lead should realize that it’s too costly to rebuild a nation once it’s broken. The world has many examples. It’s better to build on what’s in place. I call for calmness and dialogue.”

She urged Ugandans to use the prevailing peace and opportunities available in Uganda to develop their land of origin, in areas of agriculture, industry, services, tourism and ICT.

This was not the first time that Ntege was confronting Ugandan ministers, in July he rushed out to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, as she arrived in Canada.

NRM symposium in Canada to discuss the consolidation of the NRM government’s achievements in the sectors of social, political, and economic and the role played by Ugandans in the diaspora.

Ntege and the group protested the rising commodity prices, wastage of taxpayers’ money, and continued dentition of political prisoners, among other issues. “Stop wasting taxpayer’s money,” he told Nankabirwa.

“I came here on my money,” the minister responded before finding her way out.

On 29th July 2017 during Kabaka’s 24th coronation ceremony that was held at Kaweeri, Mityana district Ntege physically attacked former Member of Parliament for Kasanda south Simewo Nsubugawho was on his way to prostrate before Kabaka Ronald Mubende Mutebi II.

Mr. Ntege accused Kassanda South MP Simeo Nsubuga of spearheading the constitutional amendment bill which saw the expunging of the presidential age limit that was set at the age of 75.

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Lotigo Properties Limited, the proprietor of the condemned Lotis Towers, has filed a case before court seeking orders to stop proceedings by the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure on the state of the building.

MPs on the committee started an investigation into the state of Lotis Towers following compression failure of a reinforced concrete column on the sixth floor of the building that threatened the structure integrity of the building.

The building was constructed by Roko Construction and completed in 2019 and tenants were ordered to vacate in August. Lotigo Properties, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the National Building Review Board (NBRB) were summoned by the committee in September.

Through ALP East Africa Advocates, the management of Lotigo Properties wants court to declare that proceedings, orders and decisions of the parliamentary committee on Lotis Towers interfere with the powers of KCCA and the NBRB.

Senior counsel Francis Gamara filed an application that will be heard by the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala. An ex-parte application is heard in absence of the other party.

Gamara sought “a declaration that the directives, procedures and decisions by the parliamentary committee on physical planning concerning Lotis Towers amounts to interference with the mandate of KCCA and NBRB contrary to the building control act of 2013.”

In addition, the proprietor of Lotis asked court to issue orders stopping the evacuation of the building.

Property manager Mrs. Kemigisha said that due diligence was not done by KCCA in terms of inspecting the building before recommending the occupants to vacate.

“The third respondent’s [KCCA] indefinite orders to entirely vacate the applicant’s building which was issue without visiting the building and in the absence of a technical structure integrity report is improper and unreasonable,” Kemigisha said.

On August 17, KCCA director of engineering, Eng. Jacob Byamukama had directed that all occupants vacate the Lotis Towers.

Kemigisha said an assessment was carried out by project engineers M/S Armstrong Consulting Engineers Limited and a report was issued indicating that Lotis Towers was fit for occupation. She said a copy of the report was submitted to the relevant authorities on August 29.

Kemigisha added; “the actions of the respondents in insisting on the vacation of Lotis Towers without a technical assessment report contradicting or challenging the report submitted by M/S Armstrong Consutling Engineers and M/S Armstrong Consulting Limited is irrational.”

She stated that most of the members of the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure had premeditated hostile views towards the agents of Lotis Towers, thereby acting without impartiality. She asked court to deal with the case on its merits.

Kemigisha explained that when the crack was reported, the management took responsible steps and the matter was reported to the engineers who subsequently rectified the problem.

The Lotis Towers management argued that the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure applied inductive investigations.

They said many buildings have collapsed within the city, but the committee has never visited those sites. The proprietor wondered why the committee singled out Lotis as a subject of investigations.

Lotis Towers is a 14-storied upscale building at plot 16 MacKinnon road, Nakasero and was commissioned in 2019. It houses the Judicial Service Commission-JSC, Cairo Bank International, British American Tobacco-BAT, and the Democratic Governance Facility-DGF among other offices.

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The director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), AIGP Major Tom Magambo has made reshuffles in the directorate that have seen all detectives in Kampala.

The reshuffle has seen all detectives that were previously based in Kampala replaced.

On 30th September 2022, a message to all Regional Police Commanders and Divisional Police Commanders in Kampala Metropolitan Area, a total of 47 detectives at the rank of inspectorate and 355 at other ranks were replaced.

The changes have seen 402 detectives affected and none has been transferred to another area in Kampala Metropolitan Area but rather taken outside Kampala.

Similarly, new detectives from outside Kampala have been brought into the country’s capital. This is a move insiders have said might help solve crime. This is majorly focused on the three metropolitan districts of Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso

“The move is meant to fight corruption since those moved to upcountry stations had overstayed in Kampala,” one source said.

Apparently,  many cases have failed to get investigated to their conclusion, especially in Kampala because the investigating officers, most of whom have overstayed at the stations, have vested interest.

The Police annual crime report has over the years indicated that a number of cases are reported but not investigated despite the force having enough evidence to prosecute suspects.

Since being appointed, AIGP Maj Tom Magambo has emphasized the training of detectives and this has seen all heads of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, deputy directors, heads of department, and regional CID officers taken for refresher courses.

Also several mid- level CID commanders have undergone training as AIGP Magambo seeks to streamline how they do their work.

The CID director has also made several changes in the directorate by removing older detectives and reverting them to general police but also replaced by younger blood.

President Museveni has on many occasions blasted CID officers for bundling up cases because of corruption.

“The problem has been that the CIDs are either corrupted or bribed to suppress the information.So there has been mainly corruption and lack of patriotism where CIDs are not bothered about the suffering of the people and are influenced by money,” Museveni said in August during the closure of a six week leadership  and ideological for  senior regional CID officers.

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