Education stakeholders have called on the government to establish innovation funds to support secondary school science students in transforming their projects into market- ready products.
The appeal was made during the National Science Fair held at Kololo Senior Secondary School. Organized annually by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the fair provides a platform for science learners across the country to showcase their innovations.
Paul Musoke, Technical Supervisor for the Secondary Science and Mathematics Teachers (SESEMAT) Program under the Ministry, emphasized that innovation begins at the school level.
“It all starts at school, where learners first exhibit their projects. From there, they advance to the district level, and eventually to the regional level,” Musoke explained.
The SESEMAT program supports continuous professional development for science and mathematics teachers, aiming to enhance lesson delivery through modern teaching methods. This, in turn, helps make science and math more engaging for students. At the district level, outstanding innovations are selected to proceed to one of SESEMAT’s 27 regions, each of which hosts a Regional Science Fair.
Top projects from each region are then invited to compete at the National Science Fair, with each region submitting five entries—resulting in a total of 135 exhibitions at the national level.
“We’ve seen many students with brilliant ideas, but their projects often stop at the school level. Science fairs give students a chance to think critically, innovate, and develop solutions to real-world problems,” Musoke said.
He noted that many learners base their innovations on issues within their local communities, applying classroom knowledge and practical skills to add value to existing products or develop entirely new solutions.
“Some students have created robots, bulldozers, medicinal products, and value-added innovations. Developed countries began by encouraging exhibitions just like this. We’re on the right path.”
Musoke called on the government to provide funding that would help young innovators move from prototype to production, allowing them to bring their inventions to market and earn a living. He also urged learners to register their innovations with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to protect their intellectual property.
“Students should learn about copyrights and patent rights. Without registration, their ideas can be stolen. But with protection, they not only safeguard their creations but can also benefit financially from them,” he said.
This is why Ugandans, Africans must ensure change then ensure good governance that will work for the people, to ensure development all over & not just in cities, small towns, so that the educated work all over & not migrate to developed world where they can be employed all over!
Will powerless tribally divided ruled Ugandans get this with Rwandese Museveni assured of lifetime rule?