UNCST’s New Policy Direction Promises a Bright Future for Ugandan Science, Technology and Innovation

Kampala — Hundreds of innovators from across the country gathered at Enterprise Uganda’s Centre of Excellence in Butabika for a consultative meeting on the draft Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026. The session followed earlier engagements in which innovators highlighted challenges, including limited government support.

Dr James Kisaale, Executive Secretary of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), told participants that governments worldwide engage organised groups. He urged innovators to mobilise and form associations to strengthen their bargaining power and better access public resources.

“Governments around the world deal with organised groups. If innovators are to tap into government resources, they must mobilise and organise themselves to increase their bargaining power,” Dr Kisaale said.

In his opening remarks, Dr Charles Ocici, Director General of Enterprise Uganda, stressed the importance of taking ideas to market. “Innovation is not rewarded in the middle; a product must be on the market for you to benefit from your idea,” he said. He also encouraged inventors to patent their creations to protect and commercialise them.

During the meeting, Dr Kisaale recognised trailblazers working in mechanical engineering, agriculture and natural medicine. He assured participants that, given the prevailing political will and peace — which continue to attract investment and support local scientific advances — Uganda is on a path toward socio-economic transformation.

Innovators will have an opportunity to present their discoveries and connect with the market at a similar gathering planned for 2027.

UNCST was established in 1990 under the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology Act (Cap. 209). The Council operates under the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President. Its mandate, which was expanded under the direction of H.E. Gen. Yoweri K. Museveni, includes: (1) regulating all aspects of science, technology and innovation in Uganda; (2) translating STI policies into standards and regulations to guide the entire STI system; (3) monitoring and evaluating STI activities and compliance with regulations; and (4) supporting professional science institutions and continuous capacity development.

Since taking office in 1986, President Museveni has consistently prioritised Uganda’s scientific agenda. The 1990 UNCST Act was enacted under his leadership, laying the foundation for the Council’s establishment and its evolving role in national development.

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