President Museveni’s initiative on science development has started bearing fruits, after the first cohort of Ugandan graduates returned home.
On Wednesday, the first cohort of 20 Ugandan engineers supported under the presidential initiative on science development return from Malaysia after completion of two-year studies.
Speaking to journalists at Entebbe International Airport, the young engineers pledged to put into practice what they have learnt.
“We are here to move the country because we know what we’ve learned.We are coming to implement systems for our universities, for different agencies, so most of us will be working as a team in a specific location and then we’ll be able to create different technology innovations that we can scale into different agencies and authorities in the government, and across the Ugandans,” said Joshua Kasirye, the team leader.
The team graduated with Masters of Engineering in mechanical engineering and automatic control , Masters of Engineering in cyber security, Master of Engineering in industrial engineering, also Master of Engineering in information technology, Master of Engineering in power systems,Masters in mechanical engineering, Master of Engineering in mechatronic, mechatronics and automatic control among others.
The team comprised of two female engineers, including Lynette Nazziwa and Chanda Galabuzi, and 18 males
Chanda galabuzi, who pursued Masters of Science in systems engineering said the course was eye-opening.
“We have got various skills that we believe will be very beneficial to the country in the specific areas of technology and development,” she said.
“My message to the younger girls out there is do not be scared of the sciences, do not be scared to venture into sciences, technology, and all these other areas, because we have a big role that we have to play as women and girls in integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),And it’s an interesting field that I would encourage anybody to do it.”
Lynette Nazziwa who pursued masters of engineering in mechatronics and automatic control said, “We are open to learning as engineers, and we shall continue to carry on the heart to build the nation and practice the different skills we’ve learned. Above all, we’d like to thank the government of Uganda, the president for this great opportunity given unto us. We do not take it for granted, and we believe that in all this, we shall be able to impact also other Ugandans to carry on the vision to build the nation and to see the country grow in technology and science, such that one day, Uganda is also mentioned as one of those countries that has a grown and impactful technology ahead of time.”
Anthony Tumusiime who completed Masters of Engineering in cybersecurity said he is eager to implement what he learnt.
“Cybersecurity is, how do we guard our digital space as a country generally, in Africa, we are a bit behind in terms of digital development or advancement in technology, and many countries have not even set cyber frameworks for their governments to follow and be able to protect their data, or even protect their citizens from cyber-crimes and cyber bullying. Many countries’ statistics show that, actually, one of the current trending risks that the county carries on today is this, the revenue losses from the digital world, from the digital cyber huts.”
“So we need to control our digital space, then provide awareness to the people, because most of the people are going in darkness. They’re using their digital devices, and they end up being victims. So from my perspective, I’m coming with a lot of knowledge.”
Dr. Hillary, Emmanuel Musoke, the senior presidential adviser in charge of agribusiness and Special Duties said the country will greatly benefit from these young engineers.
“The State House is undertaking an initiative of setting up a national technological demonstration centre in Gundu, Entebbe. So, the president is trying to set up that centre for these young, talented scientists to see that they provide homemade solutions based on science. We have been admiring those big countries like China, but they also did this to make sure that their nations develop. You cannot develop any country without science. So when you hear the president advocating for scientists, this is what it means.”
He urged Ugandans to embrace government programs.
