Government to establish independent Ministry of Technology – Rebecca Kadaga

The Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rebecca Kadaga visited and addressed Victoria University Students, Innovators & other Stake Holders at the Social Innovations Africa Forum at Victoria University on Saturday 7th November 2015.

Social Innovations Africa Forum is a platform that brings together social innovators to tackle the greatest challenges that affect Africa. The theme of the forum was Social & Business Transformation through Technology & Innovation.

Kadaga addressing Social Innovations Africa Forum

She discussed Sustainable Development Goals – Africa by 2030, Innovations & their Key role in achieving it and the Social enterprise and the impact of social entrepreneurship in Africa by 2030.

The Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rebecca Kadaga announced that the Government of Uganda is to establish an Independent Ministry of Technology to deal with innovations that are being created by Young People and others. It’s Ministry of education that is currently hosting the Technology part.

She asked legislators to help her advocate for a fully-fledged science and technology ministry to help Ugandan innovators. She said for four years, she has been trying hard to convince the responsible heads to create a ministry for science and technology but in vein yet the state minister under ministry of Education is not sufficient.

Rebecca Kadaga is welcomed at Victoria University on Saturday

Kadaga noted that an independent ministry will help increase government funding towards the sector hence giving a hand to Ugandans who always come up with great innovations. “I’m sure before I leave power I must achieve this” she said.

Kadaga told university students to invest more of their time and knowledge in utilizing the great solar energy in Uganda. “For instance, Vietnam where I was in April, I witnessed a full facility with heavy electronic appliances all based on solar energy, 24 hours, seven days a week and yet their sunshine is not regular and reliable like ours” she added.