Uganda will use this year's National Science Week to demonstrate how science, technology and innovation (STI) can drive the country toward its ambitious $500 billion economy target.
The event, scheduled from April 30 to May 3, 2026, will run under the theme "Powering Uganda to a $500 Billion Economy."
Speaking at the launch on Thursday at Kampala Serena Hotel, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero, described the week as both a moment of reflection and a turning point in Uganda's economic transformation journey.
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"This year's science week is a great opportunity for us to take stock of the past five years of painstaking pathfinding and to illuminate the path towards a science-led qualitative leap of the economy," Musenero said.
She added that the country is now positioned to make visible progress in the near term.
Musenero emphasized that this year's Science Week goes beyond a routine event but a demonstration of the achievements in the Science, Technology and Innovation sector.
"This year's week is both a moment of celebration and one of ignition. It is not just any other Science Week. We are celebrating greater achievements of the past and igniting the future," she said.
"The lack of knowledge prevented us from monetising science and innovation. Five years ago, we had no clarity of how science builds an economy. We described that gap as the 'black box.' After years of being in darkness, we have emerged out of the black box, and this is a historical feat for our country," Musenero said.
She added that Uganda now understands the building blocks of a science-driven economy.
"We now know how science builds an economy. We understand the role of institutions, the role of funding, the timing of funding, the human capital we must build, and the challenges of enterprise development and entrepreneurship in this space," she said.
According to the minister, this clarity has laid the foundation for achieving the country's long-term economic ambitions.
"Building on this clarity which has come, igniting the path towards 500 billion US dollars by 2040 is now assured," she said.
Musenero stressed that Uganda's transformation will not simply be about growth rates but about structural change.
"Uganda's transformation is not about growing faster but changing how we grow. True transformation requires productivity, innovation and value creation out of intangibles like ideas, and STI are the instruments for this shift," she said.
She added that science and innovation are critical in moving the country up the value chain. "It is what transforms our raw materials into high-value products," she said.
Using a vivid analogy, Musenero likened Uganda's current stage to an aircraft preparing for takeoff.
"A plane can run very fast on the tarmac, but if it continues running without takeoff, it is not a plane. We must take off, and that is where we stand," she said.
She also emphasized that the upcoming Science Week will highlight a coordinated national system rather than isolated achievements.
"This week is not a showcase of isolated success stories but a demonstration of a national system," she said.
Musenero noted that public confidence will be central to the event. "During this week, we aim to create public trust by showcasing innovations which have registered success," she added.
The chairperson of the organising committee, Cathy Muhumuza, said the event will also serve as a moment of accountability.
"It is not just a milestone, but it is when we account for the trust and investment that Ugandans have put in us," Muhumuza said.
She described 2026 as a significant year for the sector.
"2026 is quite very special as we come out with a report card of what we have done over the past few years," she said, adding, "We want to show you that STI works."
Muhumuza revealed that this year's programme will include a hackathon aimed at generating solutions to national challenges.
"We are inviting teams of three to five, and they will stand a chance to win project funding of between Shs300 million and Shs500 million," she said.
She also highlighted efforts to attract local investment into innovation.
"We believe our domestic investors will understand our innovations even better than international ones. We want to introduce to them what innovations we have and the investment opportunities available," she said.
Among the new initiatives to be unveiled is a packaging centre of excellence, which she described as a first of its kind on the continent.
"You walk in with a product at any stage and walk out with a well-packaged product ready for the shelf and even for the international market," Muhumuza explained.
She added that the event will also promote local enterprise and culture, including the launch of Café 256 to celebrate Ugandan cuisine, as well as expanded vendor onboarding for the Made-in-Uganda supermarket.
Muhumuza said the structure of the four-day event has been designed to reflect both accountability and opportunity.
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"On day one, we will release the status of Science Technology and Innovation, which will be our report card to the nation," she said. "Day two will focus on innovators pitching to potential investors so they can access funding and mentorship."
"Day three is about innovating to scale, while day four will be the fun day where we show that science, technology and innovation can also be exciting," she added.
She noted that the final day will allow the public to directly interact with innovations.
"People will have the chance to experience things like electric mobility for the first time and explore how even traditional games can be modernised," she said.
Muhumuza emphasized that expectations are high this year. "The stakes are high as we give you a report of what we have done. You will mark us correct or wrong," she said.
She expressed confidence that the event will reinforce belief in the country's economic vision.
"You will appreciate the work innovators have done, and you will understand that STI is the silver bullet to the 500 billion dollar economy," she said.
"We want to show the world that our goal of a 500 billion dollar economy is not just a dream."
