Govt to Fund Viable Innovations from Private Universities

Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovations, Dr. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, has announced a new government initiative to support innovations emerging from private universities. This move aims to bridge the gap in funding that has historically favored public institutions, preventing many promising prototypes from reaching the commercialization stage.

During a visit to the International University of East Africa (IUEA) on August 26, Dr. Akiiki emphasized that support will be contingent on demonstrating product viability. “We will support you when your output proves that you are interested in innovation,” he stated, assuring private universities that they are no longer considered “orphans” in terms of innovation funding.

Currently, private universities often struggle to secure the substantial funds needed to develop their innovations independently. Existing government funding mechanisms, such as the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), which receives Shs30 billion annually, are exclusively for public universities. These funds are crucial for supporting research, development, and commercialization projects in critical sectors like health, agriculture, and digital transformation.

Dr. Akiiki expressed his admiration for IUEA’s innovative projects, including an electric tractor and a packaging machine for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He pledged to collaborate with all universities and plans to organize a youth innovator training program before October 2026, with the goal of fostering a new generation of innovators to drive national development.

Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa, Vice Chancellor of IUEA, welcomed the minister’s pledge, noting the university’s persistent challenges in funding its innovations. He expressed hope that this government support would lead to the creation of more innovations aligned with national priorities, ultimately generating jobs and economic opportunities. The university aims for its innovations to become practical, revenue-generating ventures for both the institution and its students.

This new government commitment signifies a significant step towards inclusivity in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, encouraging a broader range of institutions to contribute to technological advancement and economic growth.