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Universities to Devise Means of Transforming Scientific Innovations into Commercial Ventures.

Scientists from five public and private universities met on Tuesday August 7, 2018 to discuss possible ways of commercializing scientific innovations.

This was at a symposium organised by the Operation Wealth Creation programme, and the Uganda Investment Authority deemed the Uganda-China symposium.

Over 10 science professors from Makerere, Ndejje and Busitema universities, and the Uganda Industrial Research Institute attended the discussion.

According to Gen Salim Saleh, the OWC programmme coordinator said that university scientists have knowledge that can be applied to transform society.
He however asserted that poor planning in government also leads to low absorption of borrowed funds.

The discussion covered projects like the Kyambogo University’s domesticated Triple Helix in which scientists are working out a concept to melt iron ore for steel. The steel will be needed for the Kiira EV motor vehicle commercial production project, which needs more than $100m to kick off.

The Kyambogo University vice chancellor, Prof Elli Katunguka-Rwakishaya confirmed that the team will exploit Uganda’s iron ore resource in the Kigezi sub-region and Mbarara District to make steel needed for Kiira EV commercialisation.

KIIRA EV, an innovation of Kiira EV commercialisation: Internet photo

“We are working on a furnace to melt iron ore,” Prof Rwakishaya said.

The current $10b debt burden would increase because of the infrastructure project as the speech from the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, read by Mr Moses Belabye, the technical advisor for economic affairs at the ministry of Finance stated.

“As such, Uganda will increasingly turn to non-concessional financing, although this will be done in a manner that does not jeopardise debt sustainability,” Mr Muhakanizi said.

Prof Tickodri Togboa, the coordinator Kiira EV commercialisation, said Cabinet has directed the ministry of Finance to set aside 20 billion ($5.6m) next financial year to kickstart the construction of an assembly plant.

However, Prof Mary Okwakwol of Busitema University said they are planning to assemble trucks at the university.
“We are also putting up a skilling centre to avoid a mismatch between skills and job market,” she said.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Zheng Zhuqiang, who was the chief guest, said societies that have pursued science have developed.

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