Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Monica Musenero Masanza, has formally launched National Science Week (NSW) 2026, positioning science, expertise and innovation (STI) as a key driver in Uganda’s ambition to construct a USD 500 billion economic system.
The launch occasion came about on April 9 at Serena Hotel in Kampala, setting the stage for the national celebrations scheduled to run from April 30 to May 3, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds beneath the theme: “STI Works: Powering Uganda to a USD 500 Billion Economy.”
Musenero mentioned the ministry intentionally opened the week’s actions forward of the official date to permit for sufficient mobilisation.
She added that the lead-up interval will embody a variety of actions comparable to a national hackathon, investor engagements, media outreach and extra.
“The days ahead will see the opening of a hackathon to allow innovators hand in their innovations. STI staff will also carry out domestic investor engagements through dinners and lunches,” Musenero mentioned.
“We will also be having media engagements and meeting innovators as the days run towards the real opening day of April 30,” she added.
STI driving financial transformation
Musenero mentioned Uganda is coming into a results-driven section, noting that investments in STI over the previous 5 years are already yielding tangible outcomes.
“We are demonstrating results across mobility, manufacturing, and now the digital economy. From electric vehicles crossing the continent, to locally made products entering new markets, to young developers building solutions for real-world challenges,” she mentioned.
A key spotlight is the Kayoola Electric Bus, which lately accomplished a 13,000-kilometre journey from Kampala to Cape Town, showcasing the nation’s engineering capabilities and the potential of regionally made merchandise on worldwide markets.
In the digital area, she pointed to initiatives such because the Game Jam hackathon, which introduced collectively younger builders to construct interactive options, together with ideas addressing conservation challenges.
Showcasing ‘Made in Uganda’ innovation
The National Science Week will give attention to demonstrating improvements which are already working, with emphasis on market-ready Ugandan merchandise.
Among the important thing points of interest would be the Made in Uganda experiential platform, designed to attach innovation to markets and scale. Visitors will even witness dwell demonstrations in sectors comparable to mobility, synthetic intelligence, biosciences, electronics, and client product innovation.
The occasion will additional characteristic investor roundtables, deal rooms, coverage dialogues, and international pitch periods aimed toward linking innovators to capital and worldwide markets.
Additional actions will embody vendor onboarding, promotion of regionally made merchandise, and packaging assist providers beneath a centre of excellence to assist Ugandan merchandise compete globally.
Meanwhile, Peter Ourien, the Undersecretary at STI, mentioned the location of the STI Secretariat beneath the Office of the President underscores its national significance.
“In the last four years, we have focused on accountability, promise and vision. We have moved a great deal and will continue to show what is happening,” he mentioned. Ourien added that STI presents vital alternatives for job creation and financial progress.
“We need to come together to create the necessary demand and the multiplier effect of STI,” he mentioned.
He additionally referred to as for larger confidence in native merchandise. “We want Ugandans to have trust in the products that are made in Uganda. These products should be spoken about to build confidence and benefit the rest of the country,” he mentioned.
Ourien famous that there stays an funding hole, with many buyers nonetheless prioritising conventional sectors like actual property as a substitute of innovation-driven enterprises.
A information economic system
In her remarks, Musenero described the previous 5 years as a “pathfinding phase” by which Uganda has clarified how science contributes to financial progress.
She mentioned the nation has moved from what was beforehand described as a “black box” — the place the hyperlink between analysis and financial worth was unclear — to a structured system that connects concepts to markets.
“We now understand clearly and practically how science builds an economy. We understand the journey from idea to market,” she mentioned.
According to the minister, the following section will give attention to scaling innovation, strengthening industrial capability, and increasing Uganda’s place within the international information economic system.
Musenero outlined 4 strategic pillars that can information NSW 2026: demonstrating outcomes, attracting funding, constructing belief via transparency, and positioning Ugandan innovators on the worldwide stage.
She mentioned the week won’t simply showcase remoted success tales however exhibit a functioning national innovation system.
“This is not a showcase of isolated success stories. It is a national demonstration of a system that is now understood, structured, and moving,” she mentioned.
Call to take part
The authorities has invited the general public, personal sector, buyers, and international companions to participate within the four-day occasion, which has been streamlined from the standard seven days to give attention to affect.
Other companions current on the launch included Kiira Motors Corporation, the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, and representatives from numerous innovation establishments.
Musenero mentioned the occasion marks a turning level for Uganda’s improvement trajectory.
“Let this Science Week mark the moment when the country moves from understanding to execution, from pathfinding to takeoff,” she mentioned.