science 17 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Makerere University Urged to Commercialize Research Innovations
Uganda's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, has challenged Makerere University to transform its research prototypes into marketable products that contribute to economic growth. The government currently invests approximately Shs30 billion annually in the university's research and innovation initiatives. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-tasks-makerere-to-turn-prototypes-into-market-products-5598936
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Eng Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, has called on Makerere University to ensure its research output moves beyond the prototype stage to become tangible, market-ready products. During a three-day visit to the institution, the minister urged university leaders to focus on the practical application and commercialization of innovations.
“We should move beyond saying ‘We developed a prototype,’ to saying, ‘This is who uses it, this is what it saves or earns them, this is who manufactures it, this is how it reaches the market, and this is how it will grow,’” Eng. Akiiki stated, emphasizing the need for a disciplined approach to innovation. He highlighted Kiira Motors Corporation as a successful example of a university research project evolving into a national automotive company and manufacturing platform.
The minister stressed that such success stories should not remain exceptional but should become a repeatable model for the future, especially as Uganda aims for significant economic expansion by 2040. The government’s substantial investment in Makerere’s research ecosystem, estimated at Shs30 billion annually, underscores this expectation.
During a visit to the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), the minister engaged with researchers in areas such as health data systems, disease surveillance, and climate health. Researchers showcased how their work has influenced policy and developed potential solutions for wider application. The Dean of MakSPH, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, affirmed that research translation is integral to their design process.
University management, represented by Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, acknowledged the minister’s directives and pledged to intensify efforts in developing and commercializing research innovations. The university leadership committed to demonstrating tangible progress on these fronts in future engagements.