Today in Addis Ababa, at the African Union Commission, I held productive discussions with Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the AU Commissioner for ESTI, on advancing Africa’s STI agenda. Our discussions largely focused on strengthening university-industry collaboration, improving accountability and outcomes from public investment in research, and accelerating the commercialisation of innovations into products and services that can compete in regional and continental markets. We also explored opportunities under AfCFTA to expand market access for African innovations, recognising that the economic value of research must extend beyond national borders. At the conclusion of our meeting, I was pleased to present the Commissioner with a selection of Ugandan-made products, from; Nenda Coffee, KAWA Coffee, Inspire Africa Coffee, and Tooke. These products reflect the spirit of Ugandan enterprises and the opportunities that exist in value addition, local manufacturing and access to wider markets. I thank the Commissioner for the valuable exchange and his commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation across the continent. @STIsecretariat

I represented H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the installation ceremony of Pastor Anatoli Mugenyi as President of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Western Uganda Field in Hoima, marking an important occasion for the Adventist community in the region.

Pastor Anatoli Mugenyi expresses his sincere gratitude to Hon. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki for his tremendous support toward completing the church. He also extends his appreciation to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whom Hon. Jonard represented at his installation as President of the SDA Western Uganda Field. A proud milestone for the church and its community.

Yesterday evening, I delivered H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s message to the faithful gathered at Hoima Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kikwite, Hoima City. The President called on believers to unite around the common cause of socio-economic transformation. He reminded us that our shared fight is against poverty and encouraged the faithful to work hard while remaining spiritual. In his message to Pastor Anatoli Mugenyi, President of the Western Uganda Field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the President urged him to be a faithful servant to the Lord and to the flock he leads. The President also sent UGX 30 million and directed the relevant departments to work on providing a vehicle for the President-elect.

This afternoon, I was warmly welcomed in Kikwite, Hoima City. Thank you for the warm welcome. I am here to represent H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the installation of Pastor Anatoli Mugenyi as President of the Western Uganda Field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

We are working on IP registration. Young people should be able to make money from their ideas. It is important for people aged 25 to 45 to be actively involved in generating income. Our focus here is to ensure that young people below the age of 40 are involved in building their country. With this, we shall be able to realise the $500 billion economy. Reciting the $500 billion economy is not very enticing, but the methodology is much more important. @STIsecretariat

Uganda is a perl of Africa. From the cool morning mist over our great lakes to the golden rhythm of the evening breeze, Uganda is more than a place on a map—it is a feeling of home. It is the laughter in the bustling streets, the grace of the crested crane, the rich green of the land, and a spirit that welcomes the world with open hands. May your beauty ever flourish, your peace ever deepen, and your story continue to inspire the world. For God and my Country." @PNyamutoro @STIsecretariat @JonardPost @ubctvuganda

EN ROUTE TO HOIMA FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PR. ANATOLE MUGENYI ABWOOLI Heading to Hoima to represent H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, at the installation ceremony of Pr. Anatole Mugenyi Abwooli as President of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church’s Western Uganda Field, serving nine districts and one city in Bunyoro.

Today, I am in Sheema District at the TRIDI sericulture facility, where I met with the district leadership and local community to assess the status of silk production and the prospects for its commercialisation. Sheema has historically been a hub for sericulture, with the industry providing employment, household incomes and opportunities for local enterprise. However, the suspension of operations has disrupted livelihoods and left valuable production infrastructure and skills underutilised. I was informed that several community members had undergone specialised training in silk production and factory machinery operations, yet are now unable to put those skills to productive use. The community expressed a strong desire to see operations restored, with greater local participation in project management and the development of reliable markets for silk products, including access to export markets. As the STI secretary, our immediate priority must be to establish what is required to resume production, assess the operational readiness of the factory, and address the gaps in market access. I will be engaging the technical team and project management on a practical recovery and commercialisation plan that brings the existing infrastructure, trained workforce and local producers back into productive activity.

Today, I am visiting the Rubare Sericulture and Apiculture Project in Sheema District to review its status and discuss the way forward. The project was established to improve people’s livelihoods. My priority is to support its revival, bring stakeholders together and restore confidence, while ensuring that the resources already invested in the silk project are put to productive use. The people of Sheema have a strong attachment to the project, which they say was brought to the district about 10 years ago. Their commitment makes it important for us to work together to find a clear path forward.

The Northern Uganda to drive more innovations. @STIsecretariat @Parliament_Ug

Today, I had the pleasure of joining leaders from across Northern Uganda in Gulu for the Northern Uganda Leaders’ Consultative Meeting under the Pearl of Africa Innovation Series (PAIS). The engagement brought together leaders to discuss how we can harness science, technology and innovation to transform our communities, create wealth, generate employment and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic development. My message was clear: Northern Uganda has enormous potential, and we must turn that potential into tangible opportunities for our people. Science, technology and innovation must not remain concepts discussed in meeting rooms. They must become practical tools that address the challenges our communities face, improve productivity, strengthen local industries and create sustainable livelihoods. As the Minister in the Office of the President in Charge of Science, Technology and Innovation, I emphasised the importance of bringing leaders together to identify regional priorities, build partnerships and develop solutions that respond to the needs of our people. Northern Uganda’s transformation requires deliberate collaboration between leaders, government institutions, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and the private sector. By working together, we can identify the region’s opportunities, support homegrown innovations and ensure that our people benefit from the knowledge, technologies and resources available to us. The Pearl of Africa Innovation Series provides an important platform for these conversations, allowing leaders to contribute ideas, share perspectives and explore practical ways of using innovation to advance regional and national development. I believe that innovation must be connected to wealth creation, job opportunities, industrial growth and improved livelihoods. We must encourage our young people to develop solutions, support entrepreneurs to turn ideas into viable enterprises, and create an environment where science and technology contribute directly to economic growth. Northern Uganda must be an active participant in Uganda’s transformation. The region has people, resources, ideas and opportunities that can contribute significantly to our national development if we strengthen collaboration and make strategic use of science, technology and innovation. I appreciate all the leaders who participated in this consultative engagement and contributed to the discussions. Our responsibility now is to build on these conversations, strengthen partnerships and work towards practical outcomes that make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people. The future we want will not be built by ideas alone. It will be built by turning those ideas into action, creating opportunities and ensuring that innovation works for every Ugandan. @STIsecretariat

The gathering reflects a shared commitment to strengthening leadership collaboration and harnessing science, technology and innovation to drive regional development and Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. Perl of Africa Innovations Series Northern Uganda Kick off. @STIsecretariat @Parliament_Ug

*LEADERS UNITED FOR NORTHERN UGANDA’S INNOVATION FUTURE* Leaders from across Northern Uganda converge in Gulu for the Northern Uganda Leaders’ Consultative Meeting under the Pearl of Africa Innovation Series (PAIS), graced by Hon.Eng.Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, Minister in the Office of the President in Charge of Science, Technology and Innovation. The engagement aims to strengthen collaboration and explore how science, technology and innovation can accelerate regional transformation, wealth creation and Uganda’s socio-economic development.