Lt Gen James Mugira, the Managing Director of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), has said that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) is pursuing a deliberate policy of engaging itself in productive activities for the socio-economic development of Uganda and the development of defence industries with science, technology, and innovation as a major research and development component.
He made the communication while delivering his address at the Uganda Design Summit 2023 at Kyambogo University School of Art and Industrial Design, which started on October 3, 2023, and will end on October 6, 2023.
During the address, Mugira presented a paper on “Demystifying the old perception that soldiers are for war: Innovations and Creatives of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces for Sustainable Development”.
He highlighted how UPDF has engaged in creative and innovative industries for national growth and development.
Mugira also elaborated on the NEC’s multifaceted contribution to national growth and development through its subsidiary companies and joint ventures.
“Local defence industry capabilities are extremely important for any country by providing self-reliance and sustainability in-country capability for supplying the armed forces, especially during combat,” Mugira emphasised.
The Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, who was the Chief Guest, emphasised the need to translate designs into output by transiting from science, technology, and innovation to commercialization.
The Summit, which intends to offer a broad exchange of ideas by academia, design researchers and practitioners, and stakeholders from a variety of perspectives, disciplines, and fields across Africa and beyond, has attracted about 200 people, both local and international.
