In an effort to streamline the operations, improve efficiency, and enhance service delivery in all the government agencies under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna held a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI).
During the meeting that took place at the UIRI Machining, Manufacturing, and Industrial Skills Development Center located at Namanve Industrial Park, Hon. Tanna tasked the UIRI Board to strengthen the institution’s reach in service delivery, saying that very few Ugandans have benefited from these services, and with the majority not aware of what UIRI has to offer to them.
The Minister commended the state of the art facility that UIRI established in Namanve, which offers practical training, apprenticeships, and production skills focused on advanced manufacturing, engineering, and industrial technology development. He, however, noted that a number of products leave the UIRI center, but very few are commercialized, and therefore can not be traced anywhere in the market.
The Minister said UIRI was equipped with machines to make other machines needed in Uganda’s industrialization programme. However, Uganda’s import bill for machinery has instead increased over the years.
“We have a lot of honey and shea butter in different parts of the country that needs to be processed, packaged well, and sent to both the domestic and international markets. UIRI is supposed to give our people that simple machinery for processing, but they are not doing it, ” noted the Minister
He advised the leadership of the institution to focus on supporting the small groups and SMEs, saying agro-processing is a key pillar in Uganda’s ambition of growing her economy tenfold in the next 14 years.
“UIRI has been equipped with everything to deliver to us what we need as a country. The institution has the capacity to shine and deliver its mandate if only they can work on the management and coordination gaps,” said Tanna
He tasked the board to enhance awareness and sensitization of the public on the services UIRI offers, the projects that have been implemented, and increase the recruitment of trainees, especially the youth.
The Chairperson of the UIRI Board Rtd. Gen. Ivan Koreta highlighted some of the challenges the institution is facing, including the persistent budget cuts, incubatee struggles with post-incubatuon financing, and market access. He also noted the limited innovation financing, which has constrained the commercialization of the research and development products.
“We propose a dedicated funding to complete Namanve operationalization to position it as a flagship national Industrial Skills and manufacturing center.” Said Koreta
The Executive Director UIRI Prof. Charles Kwesiga said the institution is working towards ensuring that they deliver on their mandate. He said their priority is to scale up commercialization of projects and full operationalization of Namanve center.
