President Museveni Urges Africa to Embrace Science as a Survival Strategy

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the urgent need for Africa to prioritize science and innovation, describing it as a critical survival strategy for the continent.

Speaking today at the opening ceremony of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Week, the President stressed that Africa’s historical colonization was largely due to the absence of advanced scientific and technological capabilities to counter foreign domination.

President Museveni warned against any further complacency, noting that some regions were entirely overtaken by colonial powers, displacing native populations and systems, effects of which are still evident today.

“We must never again be caught unprepared. Science and innovation are our tools for liberation and development,” he said.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in scientific research and development, citing Uganda’s deliberate prioritization of scientists through improved remuneration and scholarships as a strategic move to fast-track national progress.

Commending Makerere University students for their impressive innovations on display, Museveni said their work demonstrates that Uganda’s academic institutions are finally awakening to their potential.

He called on Africans to shed the longstanding inferiority complex that has left them vulnerable to external forces, despite possessing the intellectual capacity to develop their own solutions.

However, the President also advised caution and cultural sensitivity in scientific pursuits. He raised ethical concerns after being shown an innovation involving feeding cows with fresh-based feed, stating that such practices conflict with traditional values and should be reconsidered.

First Lady and Minister of Education, Janet Kataaha Museveni, in a speech delivered on her behalf by State Minister for Primary Education, Dr. Moriku Kaducu, highlighted the government’s support for over 1,300 research innovations across universities.

She noted that many of these projects have already translated into practical solutions that are positively impacting sectors such as agriculture, health, science and technology, natural resource management, and cultural preservation.

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, has called on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to issue a directive requiring all government institutions including Parliament, ministries, and agencies to procure their vehicles exclusively from KIIRA Motors Corporation, Uganda’s pioneering automotive manufacturer.

Musenero argued that such a policy would create a guaranteed market for KIIRA Motors, accelerate its growth, and firmly establish Uganda’s presence in the automotive industry.

“This move would not only support KIIRA Motors but would also demonstrate the government’s commitment to building and sustaining local industries,” she said.

She further proposed that the same approach be extended to all products developed by Ugandan researchers and innovators.

Prioritizing domestically produced solutions in public procurement, Musenero noted that it would enhance self-reliance, create jobs, and stimulate industrial growth.

The ongoing three-day Makerere University Research and Innovations Week continues to serve as a platform to showcase Uganda’s growing capacity for home-grown scientific and technological advancements.