Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe hails MUST’s advanced engineering and production spaces - Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Following a productive courtesy engagement with top university management, the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, embarked on an extensive, firsthand tour of Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s (MUST) cutting-edge laboratories, innovation hubs, and production spaces. The high-level delegation was led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, alongside […]
Following a productive courtesy engagement with top university management, the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, embarked on an extensive, firsthand tour of Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s (MUST) cutting-edge laboratories, innovation hubs, and production spaces. Engineering students welcome the Honourable MinisterThe high-level delegation was led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, alongside Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Assoc. Prof. Robert Bitariho, University Secretary Mr. Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora, Dean-elect of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (FAST) Dr. William Wasswa, and other senior members of management and staff. Inside MUST’s specialized innovation platformsThe tour highlighted the university’s massive strides in infrastructure, showcasing specialized, industrial-grade laboratories that serve as the breeding grounds for Uganda’s next generation of practical solutions. The delegation systematically inspected advanced hubs across all core departments:Mechanical and Industrial Engineering: The team walked through the Strength of Materials, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Mechanics and Vibration, and Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics Laboratories, concluding at the Welding Laboratory and the university’s fully equipped Mechanical Workshop. Civil and Building Services Engineering: The Minister inspected critical infrastructure setups including the Concrete Technology, Soil Mechanics and Aggregates, Structures, Water Resources, Surveying, and Geotechnics Laboratories. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: The tour highlighted the advanced setups in the Electrical Circuits, Telecommunications, and Computer Engineering Laboratories. Biomedical Sciences and Engineering: A major focal point was digital health innovation, featuring the Biomedical Engineering, Medical Imaging, and Biomedical Engineering Simulation Laboratories, alongside a cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) Laboratory supporting simulation-based clinical training. Petroleum, Energy, and Mineral Studies: The technical stop showcased the Chemical Engineering, Geochemistry, Petrographic, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratories. These facilities operate as far more than mere teaching spaces; they are dynamic innovation platforms where raw academic ideas are actively transformed into physical prototypes, technologies, and market-ready solutions designed to directly answer Uganda’s healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and industrial challenges. Advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing and community SolutionsPHARMBIOTRAC API and Excipient Processing Unit. Dr. Jimmy Angupale explaining to the Minister the role of a freeze dryer in concentration of extractsPHARMBIOTRAC Formulation and Production Unit (Solid Production Line). Students of BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences, key staff, and VC in a photo session with the Minister and STI-OP DelegatesPHARMBIOTRAC Quality Control Unit. The team lead, Pathogen Economy, clarifying to the Minister the impact of the Novartem Venture in strengthening the PHARMBIOTRAC Product Development and Production Facility. The Minister then toured the PHARMBIOTRAC production laboratories, where he visited the API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) and Excipient Processing Unit, as well as the PHARMBIOTRAC Formulation and Production Unit (both Solid and Liquid Lines). The specialized tour concluded with a visit to the state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Laboratory. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) LaboratoryFollowing the laboratory inspections, the Minister proceeded to the vibrant exhibition stalls. There, he interacted directly with innovators, staff, students, partners, community members, and international collaborators who are bringing these homegrown technologies to life. The laboratory tour and exhibition showcase highlighted a defining characteristic of the Minister’s visit: his remarkable attention to detail and hands-on approach to leadership. Rather than conducting a passive walk-through, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki took the time to meticulously inspect the machinery, interrogate the practical applications of each lab, and engage deeply with the technical specifications presented by the engineering faculty. As a professional engineer himself, the Minister closely examined how the calibration of equipment in spaces like the Strength of Materials and Concrete Technology labs translates directly to the safety and durability of public infrastructure in Uganda. “By demonstrating a granular understanding of the researchers’ technical hurdles and pledging targeted, continued resources to transition these specific laboratory prototypes into full-scale national industries, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki proved that the government is fully invested in turning MUST’s scientific blueprints into the literal fabric of Uganda’s economic future. ”This thorough inspection culminated in a powerful expression of government commitment. Blown away by the sophisticated digital health breakthroughs in the Virtual Reality lab and the grassroots impact seen at the community exhibition stalls, the Minister reaffirmed that the Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) will not just remain a distant funding body, but an active partner in scaling MUST’s infrastructure. Author