By Kefa Senoga

The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Research and Innovation Symposium, held under the theme “Innovating for an Industrialized Uganda,” successfully concluded on October 17, 2025, following two days of vibrant presentations and discussions that began on October 16 at Agape Square, UCU Main Campus in Mukono.

The event was organised by the Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovation (DRPI) in collaboration with the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies. It brought together researchers, innovators, students, industry leaders, and academics to explore how research can drive industrialization and national development.

Throughout the symposium, guests were exposed to UCU’s cutting-edge research and innovation projects—both those funded internally through the UCU Research Fund and others supported by external partners. Attendees explored the latest innovations from students and staff across disciplines such as technology, medicine, engineering, and agriculture. The event also featured poster presentations by PhD students, as well as policy briefs, prototypes, and other innovative products developed within the university.

Speaking during the event, Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, the Director of DRPI, applauded the university’s commitment to supporting research and innovation.

“Our Vice Chancellor believes that our research must be visible, it needs to be seen and heard. Most of what is showcased here began after the COVID-19 period, though some projects started earlier. I applaud the support the university has provided through the UCU Research Fund to both researchers and student innovators,” she said.

She encouraged student innovators to remain committed to innovation, adding, “The Bible says, do not despise the day of humble beginnings. It may seem small now, but we are looking towards greater heights solving national problems.”

UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, thanked DRPI for its efforts in nurturing innovation and strengthening the research culture at UCU.

“Industrializing Uganda has to start with the work of researchers themselves. If we are to industrialize our country, we must create strong forward and backward linkages between what is done in universities and research institutes and the country’s industrialization agenda.

Prof Mushengyezi added that Industrialization draws many of its prototypes and products from research, and that challenges academia and researchers  to step up and generate ideas that can transform the nation and the world. 

Many of the innovations that have changed the way the world works today began in research laboratories. These ideas can grow into multimillion-dollar industries,” he emphasized.

The Guest of Honour, Prof. Charles Kwesiga, Executive Director of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), emphasized the role of universities in driving innovation and economic growth.

“The major players in the innovation ecosystem are universities, academia, and government. Most global innovations have come from universities — for example, the electronic microscope was developed by graduate students at the University of Toronto. 

Prof. Kwesigwa noted that the direction UCU is taking is the right one due to the fact that research is the only way economies can be modernized. 

He also appreciated UCU’s ongoing collaboration with UIRI. “We’ve worked closely with UCU over the past two years and have hosted many of your bright, disciplined students especially in our Embedded Systems Laboratory, where they’ve designed microprocessors and developed prototypes for irrigation switching systems and other technologies,” he added.

The symposium also featured two panel discussions, one on each day bringing together deans from various UCU schools. The sessions, moderated by Solomon Serwanjja, an investigative journalist and PhD candidate of journalism and communication at UCU, centered on the role of research and development in national transformation.

The event concluded with the recognition of outstanding researchers for their exceptional publication records in 2024. Those with two or more publications in the UCU Digital Repository, where UCU is recognized as their institutional affiliation, received special awards.

Awardees for 2024 Publications:

1. Dr. Emmanuel Eilu – 4 publications (Laptop and regional air ticket funded by DRPI; per diem funded by Directorate of HR)
2. Mr. Joseph Mutemere – 3 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
3. Dr. Mary Kagoire – 2 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
4. Dr. Morris Oleng – 2 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
5. Dr. Joel Masagazi Yawe – 2 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
6. Dr. Samuel Kazibwe – 2 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
7. Mrs. Josephine Namyalo Mawerere – 2 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
8. Prof. Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe – 2 publications (Regional air ticket and per diem)
   
   The symposium reaffirmed UCU’s growing role as a hub for research, innovation, and partnership, contributing to Uganda’s vision of a knowledge-driven and industrialized economy.