education 29 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NCHE Unveils Plan to Boost University Innovations and Rescue Struggling Institutions
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has outlined measures to help public and private universities commercialize prototypes and innovations amid funding shortages. Officials pledged support for research funding, IP registration, and industry linkages during the 16th Higher Education Exhibition in Gulu. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/innovations-inside-nche-s-plan-to-bail-out-universities--5406910
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is stepping in to aid universities facing challenges in turning research prototypes into marketable products. This initiative aims to prevent promising ideas from being abandoned, addressing key societal needs.
At the close of the three-day 16th Annual Higher Education Exhibition in Gulu City on March 28, Dr. Nora Kasirye Mulira, NCHE’s Director of ICT, Research and Innovation, announced comprehensive support plans. She highlighted that Makerere University dominates with 84% of national research output, urging all institutions to step up.
NCHE will assist students in testing prototypes for production and partner with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) for intellectual property registration. The council also seeks to activate the National Research and Innovation Fund, ensuring private universities receive equal backing.
Additional efforts include a memorandum of understanding with the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda to connect academia with industry, and promoting collaborations among institutions for shared resources. Recommendations call for raising gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) from 0.4% to 1.0% over five years.
NCHE Executive Director Prof. Mary Okwakol noted persistent funding constraints and weak industry ties as major hurdles. Gulu West MP Martin Mapenduzi, Parliamentary Public Service Committee chairperson, affirmed government commitment, citing President Museveni’s pledge for increased research funding.
State Minister for Higher Education Dr. John C. Muyingo stressed the need to move innovations from shelves to factories, farms, and markets via incubation centers and technology transfer offices. NCHE Chairperson Prof. Joy C. Kwesiga emphasized innovation’s role in keeping higher education relevant.
Over 50 institutions took part in the event themed ‘Harnessing innovation in higher education for socio-economic transformation.’
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)