education 27 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Mountains of the Moon University seeks investors for research commercialization
Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) is actively seeking investors and development partners to transform its academic research into marketable products. The university aims to move beyond theoretical papers and establish commercially viable innovations that can generate income, create jobs, and address community needs. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mountains-of-the-moon-university-seeks-investors-to-commercialise-research-5510722
Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) is on a mission to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application by seeking external investment. The public university is looking for partnerships with investors and development organizations to bring its research innovations to the market.
Vice Chancellor Professor Pius Coxwell Achanga articulated this vision during the institution’s third Research Dissemination Conference in Fort Portal City. He emphasized the university’s desire to move beyond producing research papers and attract financiers who can help commercialize promising projects, aiming for tangible results within a year.
“We want to strike deals after this in terms of the research being done and its potential,” Prof. Achanga stated. “How can we get financing? What are the possibilities of converting this into real-time projects? I expect meaningful results within 12 months that we can explore, so that we can attract financial angels and people who have money to invest here…”
Despite acknowledging government support, Prof. Achanga highlighted that public funding alone is insufficient. He pointed to inadequate funding, limited laboratory infrastructure, and a shortage of highly qualified researchers as significant hurdles. To address infrastructure gaps, a modern agricultural laboratory complex with 18 high-specification labs is under construction and expected to be completed in two years.
Francis Ongwang, Uganda Country Manager for the East African Development Bank, urged universities during the conference to ensure their research directly addresses community needs. He stressed that successful universities are those that translate research findings into technologies, enterprises, and policies that improve livelihoods and drive economic transformation.
Mr. Ongwang encouraged researchers to focus on areas like climate-smart agriculture and soil fertility management, opportunities the Rwenzori region’s fertile soils present. He also advised tapping into financing from development partners for various programs and public-private collaborations.
The conference, themed “Harnessing Research and Innovation to Strengthen Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” drew participants from several public universities across Uganda.