KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation is spearheading a fundamental shift in mindset, urging the nation and the African continent to seize the Fourth Industrial Revolution as their defining moment to become global tech producers, not just consumers.
Speaking virtually at the launch of the Industry 4.0 Skilling Program at Makerere University Innovation Hub (UniPod), Dr. Monica Musenero emphasized Uganda’s strong intent to lead in technology development. She highlighted Africa’s historical disadvantage in past industrial revolutions, which led to a pervasive “inferiority mindset.”
“This Fourth Industrial Revolution, at whose dawn we stand, is our revolution,” Musenero asserted. “It is our first Industrial Revolution, and we must adopt the mindset that ‘here we come, world!'”
Industry 4.0+, she explained, converges digital, physical, and biological technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). With its global market projected to reach $7.6 trillion by 2030, Musenero declared, “Uganda cannot afford to sit on the sidelines… We want to be at the center of making it happen.”
In response to this imperative, the Ugandan government established the Industry 4.0+ Bureau under the Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau. This bureau coordinates research, technology transfer, and commercialization, having already developed national strategies and localized electronics manufacturing capacity. It has also launched skilling programs that trained over 2,000 individuals and resulted in the local design and production of 12 electronic products.
Minister Musenero urged Ugandan youth to shift “from being passive consumers of innovation to active creators and owners of solutions.”
She encouraged courage in coding and prototyping, emphasizing that transformation begins “in minds that are on fire.” “We are not here to replicate Silicon Valleys,” she declared. “We are here to create unique ecosystems – the Silicon Kampalas, the Silicon Gulus, the Silicon Mbararas. Our innovation must reflect our realities, solve our problems, and uplift our people.” She assured government support through infrastructure, policy, funding, and partnerships, but stressed that the youth must lead their own dreams. “This revolution must be people-powered, not program-driven,” she affirmed, expressing hope that the program marks a key milestone in Uganda’s journey to becoming a hub for Industry 4.0+ in Africa.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, echoed the minister’s call.
He stressed Makerere University’s commitment to producing graduates with advanced skills essential for an AI-driven economy. “A well-trained workforce with the relevant skills is essential for an evidence-based economy,” Mukadasi said, drawing parallels to how Asian economies transformed by prioritizing skilled labor and automation.
He added that Uganda is “now moving towards local product manufacturing,” which will accelerate economic transformation.
The Industry 4.0 Skilling Program at Makerere UniPod is a strategic partnership among the university, Lwera Electronics and Semiconductors, and the U.N. Development Program (UNDP).
David Miner, representing UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, highlighted UniPod’s role in the broader UNDP Timbuktu Pan-Africa Initiative. This initiative aims to create a $1 billion startup fund over 10 years, supporting 1,000 high-growth startups and generating over 50 million livelihoods across Africa.
Miner underscored Uganda’s pressing challenge of over 1 million young people entering the job market annually with limited formal employment.
He noted that youth unemployment and underemployment exceed 13%. He stressed that programs like UniPod’s, if scaled, could empower thousands of innovators and create new jobs. “With these capabilities, Uganda is not just consuming technology; we are now building it,” Miner stated, reinforcing the alignment with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan, which prioritizes science, technology, innovation, and industrialization.
Ivan Karugaba, managing director at Luar Electronics and Semiconductors, noted that his company is working with the government to establish local capacity for designing and manufacturing electronics, including semiconductors and chips.
“As an industry, we critically need skilled individuals — bright young minds and innovative thinkers who are going to drive this technological advancement,” Karugaba said. The six-month program is designed to transition participants “from learners to makers,” enabling them to design and produce components like Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) locally.
Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of Makerere University UniPod, explained that the UniPod’s core role is to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs, explicitly through initiatives like this new program.
She anticipates the students will produce market-ready products, impacting society and empowering young people.
