UPSTU boss Appeals  for Government Support to Achieve a Science- Led Economy 

By Sadique Bamwita 

Kampala

The General secretary Uganda professional science Teachers’ Union(UPSTU) , Dr. Aron Mugaiga, has called on the government to fund science Innovation projects in all schools  across the country. 

Dr. Mugaiga says to achieve the government vision  of a science led economy, the science teachers labor union decided to organize a science Innovation projects competition in which over 50 schools participated and demonstrated their skills, creativity , critical thinking and problem solving skills. 

” You know very well the president is focusing on developing a science Led economy.So as a labor union we must take part in helping the government achieve this vision by making sure we provide a platform for students to showcase their skills, ” Dr. Mugaiga explained.

Speaking to media on Saturday August 23,2025, Dr. Aron Mugaiga, the General secretary Uganda professional science Teachers’ Union, said his labor union decided to hold a national exhibition for science Innovation projects so as to provide a platform for students and teachers to demonstrate their skills and creativity since most of the science done in schools has been remaining in the laboratory without helping the community.

” We have been lacking something but we castigate anyone.   Our work would remain in the science Lab yet we did a lot of experiments.  We teach alot of science, carry out experiments but all these would remain in the Lab. 

“But with the change in the school curriculum,  our science and innovation will impact greatly on the community rather than remaining in the school Lab, ” Dr.Mugaiga expressed optimism.’

Dr. Mugaiga said much as government advocates for a science led economy, the attitude towards science is still low compounded by inadequate resources to purchase lab equipment and materials in addition to inadequate teachers for science subjects . However, he noted that following enhancement of science teachers’ salary, many students have picked interest in sciences.

” Science teachers are now motivated and giving more time to learners. However, schools, especially private schools, are constrained with inadequate lab equipment. Student to teacher ratio is also a serious problem. You find in a school there are two chemistry teachers teaching both A & O level classes . The workload is too much for such teachers and this is likely to hinder the government vision of achieving a science- led economy, ” Dr. Mugaiga expressed concern.

Dr. Mugaiga appealed to the government, especially the education ministry, to ensure all schools get enough lab supplies to enable teachers to execute the new curriculum in the best way possible. .

” The rate of retooling teachers is low hence many teachers are not properly retooled to execute the new competency based curriculum. We request the government to retool teachers such that they can execute the new curriculum very well, ” Dr. Mugaiga appealed.

The National secretary in charge of  Education, profession standards and discipline at the Uganda professional science Teachers’ Union, Betty Auma , said to achieve a science led economy, this year they have organized  science Innovation competitions at regional and national level .

 She revealed that 50 out of 360 innovation projects were selected from different schools and that as a labor union they intend to improve on these projects to benefit the community.  Among the selected projects include smart health care, automatic garbage sorting, smart school, land falcon drone and many more.

” All regions were visited and we held regional competitions in the four regions of Central, Eastern, Northern and Western. We picked five outstanding innovative projects from each region.

‘ However, we are lacking in mentorship since most teachers were not retooled in the new low secondary curriculum, Ms. Auma  expressed concern.’

The Director Benzene Science Hub, Edward Luyima , who supplies science equipment and study materials to schools across the country, appealed to the government to exempt taxes on imported science materials saying the current taxes are too high.

” We have had issues with fake lab chemicals on the market. So, we have now decided to import them in Kenya and China but unfortunately the taxes imposed on them are high. It’s against this backdrop that we ask the government to slash or exempt taxes on imported science materials and equipment, ” Mr.Luyima appealed to the government.’

The National Chairperson of Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union, Dr. Vincent Elong , called upon the government to earn enough funds towards science and innovation . He pledged to follow up the students’ innovative projects up to the trenches .

Micheal Okao , a S.4 student at Combon College in Lira district, who innovated an electric powered generator noted that  as young innovators they lack resources and a stable internet to do research for their innovative projects .

Maria Yariwo, a student at Soroti secondary school, who innovated an assistive hearing device, called on stakeholders to help them to push their innovative projects.