THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY

AND INNOVATION

REPORT OF THE WORLD SCIENCE DAY

2019:
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE, EXHIBITION AND CHILDRENS STEM EXPO

Makerere University-Kampala
7th -8th November 2019

0
ABOUT
WORLD SCIENCE DAY 2019
Globally celebrated every year, the World Science Day 2019 (WSD) for
Peace and Development highlighted the important role of Science,
Technology and Innovation (ST&I) in society and the need to engage the
wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlined the
importance, relevance and application of science in people’s daily lives.

The global aim of the World Science Day for Peace and Development is
to ensure that citizens are engaged in the development and application
of Science, Technology and Innovation. It also helps underscore the core
role scientists and private sector play in broadening our understanding of
the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies
more sustainable.

The National celebrations brought science to life and engaged

audiences to discover, debate and discuss science through formal and
informal learning for all ages, and worked to challenge and broaden
perceptions and understanding of science and it core linkage to
transformation of society and culture.

Theme

The theme for the 2019 World Science Day was: Science for People and
People for Science.

Purpose

With an emphasis on the impact of science on society transformation and

wellbeing of the people, the World Science Day celebrations objectives
were:

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
 1. Conduct a high level discussion on the core role of bio-innovations
regulations in building agro- industrial surplus, improving health and
building sustainable livelihoods.

2. Discuss high–impact innovative approaches to scientific and

technical training; scientific research, product development and
communication.

3. Provide opportunities for young scientists and innovators to exhibit

and pitch their research outcomes and innovations for the key
stakeholders to appreciate and support their scientific
transformative efforts.

4. Conduct a children’s experimental STEM expo to enhance early

appreciation and orientation towards scientific inquiry, curiosity and
innovativeness.

5. Highlight key sectoral programmatic interventions by the Ministry of

Science, Technology and Innovations and the entry points for
stakeholders in strengthening partnerships with knowledge centers
and private sector prayers.

1.4. Participants
The World Science Day 2019 celebrations brought together targeted
experts in scientific and technical education, Innovators, incubators,
academia, researchers, private sector, policy makers, government
officials, NGOs, students, primary pupils, media and development
partners.
The total number of participants in the events exceeded 1000.
Challenge
The event attracted a large number of partcipants exceeding the
budgeted number stretching the available resources.

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
World Science Day 2019 Events Series
1.Walk and Parade

The World Science Day parade and walk was flagged off by the H.E.
Kazuaki Kameda, The Japanese Ambassador to Uganda and Hon. Dr
Elioda Tumwesigye, The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The 5Km walk began from the Ministry headquarters upto Parliament and
Back. The walk was led by a brass band, pupils from Buganda Road
primary School, Staff from the Ministry, Staff of e2-Engineers, staff of
Uganda Industrial Research institute and General Public.

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
2. World Science Day Scientific Conference
The 2019 World Science Day Main scientific conference was hosted at
Makerere University College of Business Sciences main ultra modern
Auditorium.
Remarks
2.1. Hon Dr Elioda Tumwesigye-Minister of Science Technology and
Innovation

The Minister welcomed all invited degitories to the world science day
celebrations. He stated that the World Science Day is a United Nations
event and MoSTI in collaboration with the Uganda National Commission
for UNESCO, Makerere University, Uganda Biotechnology and Biosafety
Consortium and various private sector partners are joining hands to
celebrate this year’s World Science Day.
He further states that while the designated day is Tenth of November, the
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and partners are holding
its main celebrations today on Friday 8th November 2019 here at

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
Makerere University given the fact that 10th November 2019 falls on a
Sunday. In Subsequent years, it shall revert to the 10th of November.
Whereas the day has occasionally in the past been celebrated in Uganda
as scattered small initiatives, this is the first time that my Ministry is
spearheading the marking of this important day. I thank Makerere
University for accepting to host us. As highlighted by my Permanent
Secretary, this is the start of the big journey to putting Science, Technology
in its right place in as far as its strategic role in driving Uganda’s economy
is concerned. There is no way how science will play this role if the public
do not connect with it, appreciate it and support. Public engagement
through celebration of such events, science and innovation competitions
and other forms of public engagments are what will bring the parents and
their children to love science. I am happy today we have a children’s
science lab conclave on-going here and I am happy to see us nurture
and inspire the future generation of scientists. I am also happy to see many
young people think innovatively and the exhibitions that I have just toured
have demonstrated that given opportunity, the young people can
innovate solutions to Uganda’s challenges. My Ministry will do all it can to
support these innovators.

The Minister further stated that, the theme of this year’s World Science Day
which is about “Science and the People” rhymes well with the Vision of
my Ministry which is “A scientifically proficient and technologically
advanced innovative society”. In order to realize this vision, as a sector,
we are championing a number of programmes and projects that are
aimed at not only promoting science but also improving the wellbeing of
Ugandans through advancement of science, technology and innovation
and include the following:
1.National Space Science Programme, aimed at launching Uganda into
Space by 2022. The Space programme has very many applications and

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
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November 2019
will help the Country in a number of ways including mapping our resource
endowments, improving security and creating jobs in various sectors
2.Establishment of the National Research and Innovation Program (NRIP)
aimed at supporting our innovators and scientists translate ideas and
research and development outputs into commercialized outcomes
(products, processes or services).
3.The National Science Technology and Engineering Skills Enhancement
Project (NSTEI) spearheaded by the Uganda National Council for Science
and Technology (which is one of the agencies under my Ministry), aimed
at providing incubation facilities for our scientists as well as enhancing STEI
skills of young technicians and engineers; retooling unemployed
graduates and supporting them to establish Start-up businesses and to
undertake infrastructural development of the country and local
manufacturing of products in line with BUBU policy..
4.The Machining Manufacturing and Industrial Skills Training Centre Project
which was initiated by H.E President Yoweri Museveni and is being
implemented by my Ministry through Uganda Industrial Research Institute
(UIRI). Under this project an ultra-modern machines producing machine
facility is being constructed in Namanve and is due for completion in
December this year. We want our youth and University graduates and
technicians to be able to be trained here and given skills to produce most
of the spare parts of most factory machines in Uganda instead of
importing them including automotive parts for Kiira Motors vehicles.
5.Science and Technology Parks—My Ministry is working with Universities
(including Makerere University) to refine plans for establishment of
Science and Technology Parks that will help transfer knowledge from the
researchers and innovators into prototypesand to eventual
commercialisable products through high tech industries and state-of the–
art research and development facilities like is done elswere e.g Japan,
Korea, Malaysia e.t.c. Universities are the engine of real knowledge-based

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November 2019
development and my Ministry is mandated to translate this into reality in
the case of Uganda, and I am committed to doing that.
6.Municipal Innovation and Technology Hubs (MIT Hubs)- these will be
established in a phased manner in Municipalities across the country. We
have already engaged leadership of these municipalities and we are
planning to establish these hubs where the youth can sharpen their skills
and innovations and be trained in entrepreneurial skills. These hubs will
provide workspaces, common user facilities and value addition
equipment that will enable start-up businesses created under the above-
mentioned National Science Technology and Engineering Skills
Enhancement Project and elsewhere to be nurtured into viable businesses
for job creation and income generation.
7.We are constructing an Assembly Plant to enable Uganda manufacture
vehicles here for the local, regional, African and Global market. We are
also finalizing the Automotive Industry Policy.
8.We are in the final stages of transforming PIBID into a legal entity called
Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC) to enable
legal trade in banana derived products. BIRDC will work with the private
sector to establish industries in the Industrial technology Park in Sanga
Town Council.
The Minister emphasised that the NRM Government led by H.E. President
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has prioritized Science, Technology and
Innovation to lead the Government efforts to industrialize the Country. This
is will be achieved through scaling-up Scientific Innovations and
Technological advancements in order help create jobs, and generate
new products that can help on import substitution and generating foreign
exchange. This has also been made clear in the NDPIII that is in its final
stages of development.

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
2.2. Remarks by Mr. Basil Ajer-Representative of the Permanent Secretary

The permanent Secretary gave details of the different departments and

the structure of the Ministry in order to help participants who are mainly
young scientists and innovators to understand and appreciate that the
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is here and has all the
requisite technical capacity to serve their various interests to advance
Science, Technology and Innovation. Our doors are open to all
stakeholders, please join us in building Uganda together through Science,
Technology and Innovation.

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
2.3 Awards Gala

2.4 Panel Discussion: Towards NDP III:

 Bio-innovations for job creation, agro-industrialization and society
wellbeing.
 Science Advancement & Innovative Skills Development
Some of the key takeaways and recommendations included:
 The urgent need for science and technology human capital
planning and development.
Strengthening collaborations between academic institutions and
industry.
 Upgrading and expanding STI instructional and research
infrastructure.
 Addressing inequality in science and technology training with focus
on girls, the disabled and other vulnerable groups;

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
 Continuous technical capacity building of science teachers,
technicians, lecturers, researchers and practitioners;
 FastTrack Operationalization of a stable and long-term National
Research and Innovation fund.
 Strengthening cooperation and networks among lead
stakeholders: Universities, Private sector, and MDAs.
 Strengthening application for patents and acquisition of foreign
patents by researchers and government.

Joint Panel discussions

 The need to scale-up programmes which utilize female scientist as

role models to mobilize more young women to pursue careers in science.
 The need to for continuous retooling of science teachers on new
learning and instructional techniques that achieve active teaching and
learning outcomes.
 Gender responsive pedagogy need to be entrenched in teacher
instructional materials and teacher education.
 The Ministry must lead efforts to achieve tax exemption on
scientific training, laboratory and research equipment’s.

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
3.0 CHILDRENS STEM EXPO

The childrens STEM conclave was hosted by the Ministry of Science,

Technology and Innovation at lecture 2-conference Hall and
implemented in partnership with 𝑒 2 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑠, which is heavily involved in
childrens robotics programme and early STEM education.

Inspection of the childrens STEM expo

The children were between the age of 4 years and 12 years from clarke
Junior School and EduSmiths International schools. They built and
exhibited models like Elevator, cable cars, Ferrils wheel, cake mixer, wind
mill, catapult, sandy baggy, pirate shape, power plant, spider, tricycle,
house and fan. These models demostated the application of STEM
theories like belt transmission, gravitaional force, alternative means of
transport, mechanical coordincation, renewable and renewable energy
sources, gears and amusement parks.

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
Demostration of Cable car operations

4.0 Scientific EXHIBITION

The scientific exhibitions were show cased by final year students of the
colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, veterinary, health sciences,
kyambogo University, APTEC among others.
The following are some of the projects exhibited during the World
science Day among others.
1. Fire detection and alert system
2. Smart Poultry Brooding System
3. Surveillance Robotic Car
4. ULTRA-LUX DISINFECTANT
5. Development of a blue switch that enables remote control and
automation of Electrical powered appliances through an
application software
6. Development Of A Braile-Teaching Device For Children born blind
7. Smart Farming Data Acquisition Device
8. Manufacture Of Tiles From Locally Available Materials
9. VEPOX FILTER
10. Pilot Of Constructed Wetland With Novel Materials

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
 11. Elevator With A Smart Backup System
12. Shipping Container housing
13. Development Of the Natotanga
14. SHUTTLE ALERT
15. GARAGE GURU
16. Automated Multi-level Clearance System for Makerere University
17. Muk emergency app
18. Smart city
19. Minute5
20. Vermicompost
21. Two frame honey extractor
22. Eco-diorama
23. Solar fruit drier
24. Banana World
25. Petroleum Technologies And Drilling Systems
26. Makerere Ulcer Syrup
27. Production Of Biodiesel From Oil
28. Aquaculture
29. Briquettes
30. Physics Dept And Space Specific Technologies

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
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Expo
November 2019
5.0 Key Media coverage/highlights

Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019
Report of World Science Day Scientific Conference, Exhibitions and Children’s STEM
Expo
November 2019