Participants in the inaugural Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards pitching to Judges hosted by Makerere University in the run up to November 10, 2021 when the line ministry, Science, Technology and Innovation hosts an award ceremony.
The pitches running between November 1, 2021 and November 2, 2021 follows a series of activities since the inaugural launch on October 15, 2021.
For instance, there were nominations/applications, preliminary assessments and shortlists.
Between now and November 10, 2021, there is pitching, public vote for top three innovators per Category and an award ceremony, to be presided over by President Yoweri Museveni.
Speaking Monday to update on the journey so far, Dr. Monica Museveno, the Minister in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation said 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.
She says 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 roadmap
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
According to Dr. Musenero, 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.
The categories are:
- 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, the minister says two special award Categories have been provided.
They are 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,” Dr. Musenero says.
She commended Ugandans for participating in the ongoing exercise.
“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,” she said.
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
Dr. Musevenero says that 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.
Shortlist
The following 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.
SN | CATEGORY | NAME(S) | INNOVATION |
1 | Mobility, 18+ Years | Edwin Agaba | Electric Motorcycle |
Rogers Mubiru | Diesel Engine Manufucturing | ||
Innocent Orikiiriza | Digital Ticketing System | ||
Ahereza Ian & Nakiito Gloria Dorcus | Smart Remote Monitoring for EV Charging | ||
Tusuubira Lateefa Shibah | Blind spot detection system for buses using Artificial Intelligence | ||
Alex Kamugisha | Hybrid-Electric and Manual Bamboo Bicycle | ||
2 | Pathogen Economy, 18+ Years | Victor Paul Kawagga | Robotics |
Wegoye Miriam | Neonate Warmer | ||
Toskin Gregory | COVID-19 Tracer | ||
Victor Kansiime | Pain relief drug | ||
Mirembe Betty | Medicine delivery & patient monitoring system | ||
Omukenkufu Nyanzi Julius | Organic sanitizer from lemon peelings | ||
3 | Engineering, Under 18 Years | Stephanie Katuku/ Nanyunja Hadija/ Tendo Nicole/ Kabajungu Lindsay/ Niyogusabwa Diana/Kawuma Michelle | Automated door operating system |
Mirembe Pricey, Mulungi Mercy, Mudoko Misha, Muwanguzi M | UV Light Rover | ||
Nandase Lyndsey | Paint mixture from Clay | ||
4 | Beauty and Apparel, 18+ Years | Shalin Kentaro Otim | Planted based hair products |
Solomon Kiiza | Medical care PPE (overralls, masks, shoe covers) | ||
Twebaze Collins Bagiritima | Cloth and Hair from banana fibre | ||
Nakiyingi Elizabeth Kiyingi | Organic Hair Products | ||
Sandra Letio | Cosmetics | ||
Ronald Angarukamu | Carpets from Mask Material Offcuts | ||
Hillary Nahurira | Natural Lemon Aftershave | ||
5 | Digital, Under 18 Years | Abenaitwe Ian | E-Commerce Website |
Mpagi Tramy Ann | E-Learning Platform | ||
6 | Agro-Security, 18+ Category | Kiberu Godfrey | Avocado Value addition |
Nantongo Brenda | Solar Powered irrigation device | ||
Byarugaba Isaac | Temperature sensor for food storage | ||
Thomas Kiiza | Food preservation | ||
Alex Nuwamanya | Pharmaceutical Grade starch | ||
Nakachwa Fauzia | Recycling face masks and diapers | ||
7 | Agro-Security, Under 18 Category | Muganga Karen | e-platform for learning agriculture |