By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister, Dr. Monica Musenero, has underscored the critical role of engineering in addressing the world’s growing challenges, calling for increased investment in innovation and youth talent development to drive Uganda’s socioeconomic transformation.
Speaking during the official launch of the 11th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and 9th African Engineering Conference at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, Dr. Musenero described engineering as “the bedrock of sustainable solutions” in a rapidly changing world.
“In this era of very rapid change and complex global challenges, it is engineering that provides the bedrock for sustainable solutions,” she said.
The Minister noted that engineering forms the backbone of a robust Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem and is central to Uganda’s ambition to transform its economy.
“As you may be aware, Science, Technology, and Innovation, which includes ICTs and the creative industry has been strategically positioned as the primary engine of Uganda’s tenfold growth strategy,” she said, referring to Uganda’s target to achieve a GDP of USD 500 billion by 2040.
“We hope we can achieve it earlier, but the target remains 2040.”
The upcoming Africa Engineering Week and Conference, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 20 at Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo, will be hosted by the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) in partnership with UNESCO, STI, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO), among others.
Running under the theme “Leveraging Engineering Innovations and Technology to Accelerate Africa’s Socio-economic Transformation”, the conference is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates from across Africa and around the world. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to officiate at the opening ceremony.
Dr. Musenero said the event will be a landmark platform for sharing innovations and engineering breakthroughs aimed at solving African problems.
“This event will serve as a powerful beacon, shining a spotlight on how cutting-edge engineering is not just addressing the critical issues facing our continent but also unlocking unprecedented opportunities,” she said.
UIPE President Eng. Bosco Lepi said Uganda will use the platform to showcase local innovations and technologies tailored to address challenges in agriculture, infrastructure, mining, and other sectors.
“This is an opportunity for Uganda to show the progress we have made in engineering,” Eng. Lepi noted. “Africa Engineering Week will be both an inspiration and a mirror to show the public that we are capable of doing what others (foreign engineering firms) are doing.”
He noted that stakeholders and partners conference will come up with key resolutions aimed at shaping policy and guiding institutions toward adopting homegrown engineering solutions.
“We are expected to come up with resolutions geared towards ensuring that what is of value to our people is given due attention by the relevant institutions,” Eng. Lepi added.
Africa Engineering Week was first launched in 2014 by WFEO and FAEO in partnership with UNESCO. The initiative aims to inspire young Africans to pursue careers in engineering and to promote the profession’s role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The previous conference was hosted in Luanda, Angola in September 2024.
