STI minister Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki emphasizes innovation commercialization during maiden visit to MUST - Mbarara University of Science and Technology
In a powerful demonstration of academic evolution and national progress, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) hosted the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki. The high-profile visit culminated in a packed auditorium event where the Vice Chancellor hosted a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including, Government leaders, religious leaders, development […]
In a powerful demonstration of academic evolution and national progress, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) hosted the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki. The high-profile visit culminated in a packed auditorium event where the Vice Chancellor hosted a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including, Government leaders, religious leaders, development partners, community members, researchers, students, and staff. Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, Director CITT and moderator of the dayModerated in high spirits by Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, Director of the Centre for Innovations and Technology Transfer (CITT), the event underscored a shared vision: transforming academic research into real-world commercial solutions. Welcoming the delegation, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, outlined MUST’s strategic growth and bold, long-term vision. She challenged traditional notions of higher education, calling for a mindset shift across the continent. “Universities must evolve beyond their traditional roles of teaching and publishing to become engines of innovation, enterprise creation, and socio-economic transformation, translating research into products, technologies, policies, and businesses that improve lives. ” Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, Vice Chancellor. Highlighting the university’s extraordinary trajectory, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika noted that MUST has expanded from just 43 medical students at its inception in 1989 to a vibrant community of 6,697 students and 603 staff across two main campuses. To further reinforce this multi-disciplinary growth, she officially announced the opening of the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Veterinary Sciences. Moving forward, MUST’s strategic vision positions the institution to serve as a regional center of excellence in four critical areas:Artificial Intelligence (AI)Drug developmentNatural therapeuticsResearch commercializationExpressing deep gratitude to the Government of Uganda and the Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for their unwavering support, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that investment in science is not a cost, but a strategic imperative for Uganda’s industrial transformation. Echoing her sentiments, Mbarara City Mayor and MUST University Council Member, His worship. Robert Kakyebezi Mugabe, commended the university’s immense contributions to local economic growth and poverty reduction across Southwestern Uganda. Mayor Mugabe credited MUST’s very establishment to H. E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s visionary leadership, which has successfully blossomed into a premier hub for highly skilled scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals. Demonstrating the Return on Investment (ROI) of government fundingThe event transitioned into formal presentations showcasing the tangible, high-impact return on investment yielded by government innovation funding. Medard Twinamatsiko (CITT): Showcased the quantitative impact of the innovation center. Since 2022, CITT has supported 53 innovation teams, registered 28 intellectual property filings, spawned 73 startups, created 760 jobs, and ushered 15 market-ready products into the commercial space. Simon Kawuma: Shared deep appreciation for the government’s competitive innovation funding, reporting that this support has fundamentally strengthened the research ecosystem and accelerated the transition of ideas into national development solutions. Prof. Angella Musiimenta (Chief Research Officer, MUST Research Institute): Expressed sincere gratitude to H. E. the President for championing the country’s innovation framework. She asserted that MUST’s research agenda directly addresses Uganda’s core challenges by uniting a massive multidisciplinary network, including the MUST Policy and Economic Data Centre (MUST-PEDC), PHARMBIOTRAC, CITT, Maternal Newborn and Child Health Institute (MNCHI), Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC), and various faculty research groups. Pitching the Future: Cutting-edge project showcasesA series of rapid, technical presentations brought the groundbreaking expertise of MUST’s faculty directly to the forefront, proving that local research is solving global challenges:Researcher / PresenterProject FocusKey Innovation & ImpactProf. Joel BaziraAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR)Developed four viable antifungal products through STI-supported research. Mr. Benedict BuchanaGreen Tech & Eco-HousingRecycling plastic waste into interlocking blocks to lower classroom construction costs for UPE/USE schools and provide housing for underprivileged families. Dr. Joseph OloroTransforming EucalyptusDeveloped “liquid smoke” bio-based polyphenol products fromEucalyptus grandisfor medical and food industries, driving import substitution. Dr. Jimmy AngupaleAntimalarial BreakthroughsPilot-scale formulation of viable, locally made Novaterm antimalarial products using pharma-grade excipients. Prof. EdgarMugemaMulogoCultural Public HealthEngineered permethrin-treated baby wraps, transforming a traditional Ugandan baby-carrying practice into an active malaria intervention. Dr. Jonas TusiimireNatural MedicineProposed a dedicated Regional Hub for Research and Innovation in Natural Medicine (MUST RENAT), backed by internal strategic alignment. Q and A session led by Prof. Joseph Ngonzi,the DVC-AAA call to redefine University successClosing out the day, the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, delivered a rallying keynote address that challenged the academic status quo and set a clear mandate for the future. “The world’s leading universities transformed discoveries into companies, laboratories into industries, students into entrepreneurs, and professors into innovators. That is exactly what Uganda must do. ”Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, Minister for Science,Technology and InnovationThe Minister strongly advised MUST to position itself as East Africa’s premier destination for innovation commercialization. He issued an urgent call to action for students and younger academics, urging them to begin creating solutions immediately rather than waiting until graduation. Reaffirming the Government of Uganda’s dedication to scaling up funding for research infrastructure and technology transfer, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki emphasized that science must ultimately move out of laboratories and directly into the industries, businesses, and local communities where it can achieve a measurable, lasting impact. The historic engagement between Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki and the MUST community marks a defining milestone in the university’s journey. By bridging the gap between national policy and grassroots academic innovation, the visit firmly established MUST as a model for the future of higher education in East Africa. Dr. Robert Bitariho, the Deputy Vice Chancellor F&A giving the Vote of thanksWith unwavering government backing, a rapidly expanding multi-disciplinary footprint, and a portfolio of high-impact products already entering the market, MUST is proving that Ugandan universities can be powerful economic engines. As the institution steps boldly into its next chapter, its focus remains clear: translating world-class science into everyday solutions that uplift local communities, create sustainable jobs, and drive the industrial transformation of Uganda.