Science, Technology and Innovation – Office of the President (ST&I-OP) launched the inaugural Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards on Friday 15th October 2021 to celebrate Ugandans’ innovation efforts as well as inspire young innovators to activate their abilities and contribute to technology development in the country. The awards are positioned to align with the National Science Week scheduled for the period 2nd to 9th November 2021 that will culminate in the celebration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development on Wednesday, 10th November 2021 at which the awards will be given. The awards ceremony will be presided over by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda as the Guest of Honour.
The objectives of the Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards are to: Recognize outstanding innovators and innovations; Earmark innovations for scaling up and commercialization purposes; Create visibility of Ugandan capabilities in technology development and innovation; and Inspire Ugandans especially the youth into technology development and innovation
The Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards are following the following six-stage roadmap:
Stage 1: Nominations/Applications (15th – 24th Oct 2021)
Stage 2: Preliminary Assessment towards publication of Longlist (25th – 26th Oct 2021)
Stage 3: Shortlisting of Top Six Innovators per Category by Panel of Domain Experts (27th – 28th Oct 2021)
Stage 4: Pitching Live to Panel of Judges Hosted by Makerere University (1st – 2nd Nov 2021)
Stage 5: Public Vote for Top three innovators per Category (02nd – 07th Nov 2021)
Stage 6: Award Ceremony Presided over by H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda at Kololo Air Strip, 10.11.2021
The following categories along the six prioritised industrial value chains that speak to the Strategic Direction of Science, Technology and Innovation – Office of the President have been identified and earmarked for the awards from which twelve winners will be obtained from two age-groups i.e. 18+ and under 18, one from each category:
- Pathogen Economy: The award in this category will go to the innovators with innovations targeting disease control and management. The innovations will include; vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, biomedical ICT and Equipment.
- Engineering: This award will aim at recognizing innovators with technology related innovations in renewable energy, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering as well as civil engineering and chemical engineering among others.
- Mobility: The awards in this category recognize innovations that augment the national mobility ecosystem conceived to develop, make, sell and/or use sustainable mobility solutions. These include but are not limited to: Vehicles; Auto Parts and Systems; and Digital Mobility Solutions.
- Beauty and Apparel: Innovators with innovations in cosmetology and textile processing will be earmarked for this award. It will look into innovations in skincare products and hair products for cosmetics as well as fabric and thread production, fabric recycling, textile production technology and value addition for existing raw materials.
- Digital: The digital economy awards will be given to innovators who demonstrate high aptitudes in designing information and communication technologies and applications that ease transmission and knowledge dissemination.
- Agro-Security: This award will value innovations in agro processing, agribusiness, soil conservation, agriculture technologies, food preservation and safety applications among others. An Innovator with practical models, devices and applications adding value to food propagation, value addition and food conservation will be awarded.
Additionally, two special award Categories have been provided: Women Innovators Award which will go to a seasoned woman innovator who has registered at least a patent with at least a product on the market; and STI Science Ambassador Award which will recognize the most outstanding scientist in Uganda for their contribution to science innovation and technology. They should have registered at least 5 patents and at least have a product on the market.
I would like to thank Ugandans for the great participation in nomination of innovators from across the country. One Hundred and Sixty-Five (165) Nominations were received for the Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards by the deadline of Sunday 24th November 2021, Midnight through WhatsApp and Email.
| SN | AWARD CATEGORY | NUMBER | PERCENTAGE |
| 1 | Engineering | 49 | 29.7% |
| 2 | Digital Economy | 30 | 18.2% |
| 3 | Agro-Security | 25 | 15.2% |
| 4 | Pathogen Economy | 23 | 13.9% |
| 5 | Mobility | 13 | 7.9% |
| 6 | Beauty and Apparel | 12 | 7.3% |
| 7 | STI Science Ambassador | 6 | 3.6% |
| 8 | Women Innovators Award | 3 | 1.8% |
| 9 | No Applicable Category | 4 | 2.4% |
| TOTAL | 165 | 100% |
Nominations were received from 34 Districts including: Kampala (41%); Wakiso (11%); Mbarara (6%); Lira, Mbale, Bushenyi, Kabale, Sheema, Tororo (each 2%); Buikwe, Gulu, Iganga, Kanungu, Kazo, Kiruhura, Luwero, Mukono, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Amolator, Apac, Bukedea, Busega, Butaleja, Jinja, Kabarole, Kasese, Kiboga, Kyenjojo, Lwengo, Moroto, Moyo and Pakwach (each 1%). Figure 1 presents the Age Distribution of the Nominated Innovators.
The nominated innovators have so far been shortlisted and will today be interacting with their respective panels of judges. Shortlisting for the 18+ Years Award Categories under the Digital and Engineering Value Chains is underway and lists will be published before the end of today and innovators face panel of judges tomorrow 2nd November 2021. The judges will select the top three from each category who will move on to the voting stage by the general public.
View Full List of Shortlisted Innovations.
I would like to request all the judges for today’s assessment to stand up for recognition. Thank you distinguished ladies and gentlemen for your contribution to the first ever Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards.
I also extend sincere appreciation to Makerere University for opening its doors and enabling the pitching stage of the Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards.
It is critical that we leverage such synergies and relationships as we advance towards a science-led economic transformation of Uganda into an upper-income economy.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
