{"id":4257,"date":"2021-10-15T10:15:03","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T10:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=4257"},"modified":"2021-10-15T10:42:36","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T10:42:36","slug":"uganda-set-for-the-biggest-science-innovators-awards-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/uganda-set-for-the-biggest-science-innovators-awards-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"UGANDA SET FOR THE BIGGEST SCIENCE INNOVATORS\u2019 AWARDS 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY MOSES SSERWANGA<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The  Ministry of Science , Technology and Innovation (ST&I) – Office of the President in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU)  is organizing the Uganda Science Innovators\u2019 Awards to celebrate Ugandans\u2019 innovation efforts  and  inspire  young innovators to activate their abilities and contribute to the technology development of  the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ministry officials have told ugandaupdatenews.com<\/strong> \u2013 a leading Uganda online news publisher -that the Uganda Innovation Awards- the first of a kind to be held in the country  ,corresponds to the ST &I Minister Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero’s reflection on Uganda\u2019s Aspirations and Pathways to Vision 2040 in her famous saying; \u201cAfrica needs African minds to solve African problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Awards have been positioned to align with the National Science Week and the World Science Day for Peace and Development Celebrations commemorated annually on 10th November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Yoweri Museveni -a strong champion for home grown innovations- to offer solutions to local problems  is expected to be the guest of honor at the  Awards ceremony on 10 Nov 2021  -where winners  will receive cash prizes geared at  supporting  them to improve their prototypes, register Intellectual Property (IP) and support their  incubation leading to commercialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWinners of the Uganda Innovation Awards will also enjoy practical three to six  months technical training to improve their skills and enhance their capabilities,\u201d officials stated .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although many Ugandan innovations supported by President Yoweri Museveni for over t wo decades now- have not survived the \u201cvalley of death\u201d to commercialization , Uganda\u2019s automakers and champions of the green mobility technologies in Africa \u2013 Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is one shining example that Ugandan Innovators can have their products commercialized and cement Uganda\u2019s industrial revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) which had a humble beginning at Makerere University\u2019s  College of Engineering as an extra -curricular activity under the stewardship of Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri -Togboa and Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi -with the support of President Museveni is now set to produce vehicles locally -on a commercial large scale .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to have many more innovators of KMC\u2019s ilk -the new Minister of ST&I Dr. Musenero has hit the road running fast \u2013 setting up ST&I national think tanks -not only to inspire local innovators but to also   coordinate their efforts and have their innovations commercialized -in line with government of Uganda\u2019s industrialization policy .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The  KMC success story has  been about a high-level of resilience ,commitment and determination . They have  demonstrated that if Ugandan innovators are focused and united they will be at the forefront of the country\u2019s industrialization drive during the 4th<\/sup> industrial revolution.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the same spirit under which the Uganda Innovation Awards are being organized . Several categories have been identified and earmarked for the awards  and these include : Pathogen Economy; Engineering; Mobility; Beauty and Apparel; Digital Economy; and Agro-Security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To augment the position of scientists in the country an award tied to the best scientist will be given.  These categories were chosen on the basis of the findings from consultative meetings undertaken by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the identification of priority industrial value chains for Uganda.  Twelve winners will be obtained from two age-groups i.e.above 18 (18+) and under 18(>18), one from each category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uganda Innovation Awards will be a national event and the biggest ever<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizers have intimated that the Uganda Innovation Awards will be a truly national event where innovators will be allowed to showcase their innovations and use social media platforms to appeal to Ugandans for their votes . \u201cIt is going to be a transparent process involving the Ugandan people directly . Information about the awards is going to be translated in the local languages and circulated widely . Ugandans should be proud of their country and fellow -countrymen who are innovating \u2013 that good innovations and products can be produced in Uganda and by Ugandans,\u201d officials asserted.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The writer is a Media and Communications Consultant and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

msserwanga@gmail.comFO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Award Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pathogen Economy:<\/strong> The award in this category will go to the innovators with innovations targeting disease control and management. The innovations will include; vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, biomedical ICT and Equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engineering:<\/strong> This award will aim at recognizing innovators with technology related innovations in renewable energy, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering as well as civil engineering and chemical engineering among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobility Economy<\/strong>: The award recognizes innovations that augment the national mobility ecosystem along the develop, make, sell<\/em> and use <\/em>tiers. These should be towards the development of environmentally friendly, efficient, inclusive and safe mobility solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beauty and Apparel: <\/strong>Innovators with innovations in cosmetology and textile processing will be earmarked for this award. It will look into innovations in skincare products and hair products for cosmetics as well as fabric and thread production, fabric recycling, textile production technology and value addition for existing raw materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Economy:<\/strong> The digital economy awards will be given to innovators who demonstrate high aptitudes in designing information and communication technologies and applications that ease transmission and knowledge dissemination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agro-security:<\/strong> This award will value innovations in agro processing, agribusiness, soil conservation, agriculture technologies, food preservation and safety applications among others. An Innovator with practical models, devices and applications adding value to food propagation, value addition and food conservation will be awarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women Innovators Award<\/strong>: This award will go to a seasoned woman innovator. They should have registered at least a patent and at least have a product on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STI Science Ambassador<\/strong>: This award will recognize the most outstanding scientist in Uganda for their contribution to science innovation and technology. They should have registered at least 5 patents and at least have a product on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Objectives of the Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n