Government has pledged continued help for science, know-how and innovation (STI), saying the sector is central to Uganda’s ambition of rising its economy from about $66 billion (Shs284.2 trillion) to $500 billion by 2040.
While formally flagging off National Science Week 2026, President Museveni, represented by Vice President Maj (rtd) Jessica Alupo, stated Uganda should transition from a consumption-based economy to one pushed by innovation and information manufacturing.
“Modern economies are driven by knowledge which improves productivity, creates new products and builds competitive industries. Uganda must transition into a knowledge-based economy to achieve a $500 billion economy before 2040,” Alupo stated.
Uganda final yr launched its tenfold progress technique, an formidable plan aimed toward increasing GDP from about $50 billion (Shs187.1 trillion) in 2023 to $500 billion (Shs1,871.6 trillion) by 2040.
The technique is anchored on 4 precedence sectors of Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Mineral improvement, and Science, Technology and Innovation (ATMS), which now information nationwide planning and budgeting.
The Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), operating from FY2025/26 to FY2029/30, is meant to speed up this progress by doubling the dimensions of the economy each 5 years, via worth addition, infrastructure enlargement, and personal sector improvement.
Government priorities beneath the plan embody enhancing worth addition in key progress sectors, strengthening the non-public sector to create jobs, increasing productive infrastructure, enhancing inhabitants productiveness and social wellbeing, and reinforcing the position of the state in guiding improvement.
Museveni, in remarks delivered by Alupo, stated STI have to be utilized throughout sectors, particularly agriculture, trade and well being, to improve productiveness and scale back dependency on uncooked supplies.
He added that Uganda’s financial problem was not lack of assets, however weak utilisation of current elements of manufacturing.
“Uganda boasts all the factors of production; land, labour and capital. What we need now is entrepreneurship to fully exploit our natural and human resources and tap into markets for our goods and services,” he noticed.
The president careworn that authorities prioritisation of science training was aimed toward constructing a workforce able to supporting industrialisation and attracting funding.
“It is unacceptable for Africa to remain weak and vulnerable. We must build scientific and technological strength to secure better livelihoods and safety for our people,” he stated.
This yr’s National Science Week runs from April 30 to May 3 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds beneath the theme: “STI Works: Powering Uganda to a $500 Billion Economy.”
The occasion has introduced collectively innovators, policymakers, college students and personal sector gamers to showcase regionally developed applied sciences aimed toward supporting industrialisation.
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Monica Musenero stated sustained funding in STI might scale back Uganda’s pharmaceutical import dependency by up to 40 p.c by 2040.
She additionally introduced plans for a devoted Biosciences Park, an built-in innovation hub the place researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs will function inside shared laboratories, residential services and commercialisation areas to speed up scientific discovery.