Innovators across the country are submitting their innovations for nomination for the first ever Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards organized by Science, Technology and Innovation – Office of the President (ST&I-OP) in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
The Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards are organized to celebrate Ugandans’ innovation efforts and inspire innovators to activate their abilities and contribute to the technology development of the country.
The ST&I-OP is calling for more Ugandan innovators to submit their innovations entries along the 6 prioritised Industrial Value Chains of; Pathogen Economy, Engineering, Mobility, Beauty and Apparel, Digital Economy, Agro-security. The other two special Award categories are the 2021 Uganda Woman Innovator’s Award and 2021 National Science Ambassador that will be pegged to the best scientist of the year. The public is required to submit before Midnight on Sunday, 24th October 2021.
These award categories were chosen on the basis of the findings from consultative meetings undertaken by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of the President, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero with Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the identification of priority industrial value chains for Uganda. Twelve winners will be obtained from two age-groups i.e. Above 18 and under 18, one from each category.
The Awards have been positioned to align with the National Science Week and the World Science Day for Peace and Development Celebrations commemorated annually on 10th November.
The Awards are aimed at: recognizing outstanding innovators and innovations; earmarking innovations for scaling up and commercialization purposes; creating visibility of Ugandan capabilities in technology development and innovation; and inspiring Ugandans especially youth into technology development and innovation.
President Yoweri Museveni, a strong champion for home grown innovations offering solutions to local problems, is the Guest of Honor at the Awards ceremony on 10 Nov 2021 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds where winners will receive cash prizes geared at supporting them to improve their prototypes, register Intellectual Property (IP) and support their incubation leading to commercialization.
The winners of the Uganda Innovation Awards will also enjoy practical three to six months technical training to improve their skills and enhance their capabilities.
The inaugural awards correspond to the ST&I Minister Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero’s reflection on Uganda’s Aspirations and Pathways to Vision 2040 in her famous saying: “Africa needs African minds to solve African problems.”
Nominated Innovators will exhibit during the National Science Week as well as seek support from the public to vote for them.
Details about the Award Categories
Pathogen Economy: The award in this category will go to the innovators with innovations targeting disease control and management. The innovations will include; vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, biomedical ICT and Equipment.
Engineering: This award will aim at recognizing innovators with technology related innovations in renewable energy, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering as well as civil engineering and chemical engineering among others.
Mobility: The awards in this category recognize innovations that augment the national mobility ecosystem conceived to develop, make, sell and/or use sustainable mobility solutions. These include but are not limited to: Vehicles; Auto Parts and Systems; and Digital Mobility Solutions.
Beauty and Apparel: Innovators with innovations in cosmetology and textile processing will be earmarked for this award. It will look into innovations in skincare products and hair products for cosmetics as well as fabric and thread production, fabric recycling, textile production technology and value addition for existing raw materials.
Digital Economy: The digital economy awards will be given to innovators who demonstrate high aptitudes in designing information and communication technologies and applications that ease transmission and knowledge dissemination.
Agro-security: This award will value innovations in agro processing, agribusiness, soil conservation, agriculture technologies, food preservation and safety applications among others. An Innovator with practical models, devices and applications adding value to food propagation, value addition and food conservation will be awarded.
Women Innovators Award: This award will go to a seasoned woman innovator. They should have registered at least a patent and at least have a product on the market.
STI Science Ambassador: This award will recognize the most outstanding scientist in Uganda for their contribution to science innovation and technology. They should have registered at least 5 patents and at least have a product on the market.
Steps to follow when submitting the nomination of your innovation (either by self -innovator or other person- nominator)
Record a video of the innovator explaining the innovation in strictly not more than 2 mins (120 seconds)
The recording could be shot using a phone or any other gadget that can perform the service
The video quality should be excellent and the sound audible.
Details of the Innovator which should include: Name, Age, Phone Number, District and Category of innovation.
Timelines:
The deadline for submission of nominations is 24th October 2021 at midnight
Vetting and shortlisting of successful nominees: 25th -28th October, 2021
Voting of shortlisted nominees: 29th October to 8th November, 2021
Voting will end on 8th November, 2021 at Midnight
Announcements are on T.V, local radios, newspapers and social media platforms
Outcomes
The shortlisted candidates will face a panel of Judges who will give a verdict based on the presentation, capability and knowledge of their innovation.
The top three candidates per category per age group will be shared with the public for final voting.
Media profiling for each innovator will be done as well as that of the STI Science Ambassador.
All successful winners including the Science Ambassador will be given a slot to exhibit their innovations at the World Science Day Celebrations on 10th November, 20
