Uganda

Science Granting Council

Summary

The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) promotes and coordinates research, science, and technology to support national development and improve the quality of life in Uganda.

Council details

The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) promotes and coordinates research, science, and technology to drive national development. It plays a critical role in shaping science policy and advancing innovation to improve the quality of life in Uganda.

UNCST provides the Government of Uganda with scientific evidence for policy formulation and planning. Its national science reports offer valuable insights into Uganda’s research capacity and its journey towards a knowledge-based economy. The Council highlights the need for targeted policy reforms to foster impactful change.

Advancing Research and Innovation through the SGCI

As a member of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), UNCST has benefited from increased capacity for managing research grants and oversight. SGCI has enabled UNCST to run competitive research calls that align with Uganda’s National Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals.

SGCI funding supports research projects that translate findings into real-world solutions. These projects focus on areas that strengthen public-private partnerships, particularly in industrialisation and manufacturing value chains. This ensures research directly contributes to social progress and economic resilience.

Fostering Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

UNCST also developed the Technomart, an online platform that connects researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs to support technology commercialisation across Africa. Funded through SGCI, the platform fosters public-private partnerships and strengthens collaboration between academia and industry within Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. It also strengthens regional research networks and increases the visibility of Ugandan innovation.

UNCST hosts knowledge dissemination webinars to showcase SGCI-funded research. These online events highlight research outcomes with the potential to inspire innovation and collaboration across sectors. They bring together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders.

Continuing to Build Uganda’s Research Future

UNCST remains committed to building Uganda’s science, technology, and innovation capacity. Through regional partnerships, national programmes, and policy development, it supports sustainable growth and a stronger innovation ecosystem.

Impact we’re having

Low-tech health app engages

Five years after its launch, PENSA – a mobile app developed in Mozambique— has been accessed by…

Read Story

SGCI funded projects

Young African child being examined by healthcare provider

6 projects improving Uganda’s healthcare, sustainability, economic growth

Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils

Related News

Tom Ogada, executive director, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

CTAs: catalysts of Africa’s STI transformation

An interview with Tom Ogada, executive director, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) As part of the Science Granting Councils Initiative’s (SGCI) 10th anniversary reflections, we spoke with Prof Tom Ogada about the critical role played by the Collaborative Technical Agencies (CTAs) in strengthening Africa’s…

support the Fonds National de la Recherche et de l’Innovation pour le Développement (FONRID)

Strengthening research funding practices in Burkina Faso

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen research and innovation systems across Africa, the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) continues to support collaboration, learning, and capacity development among national science funding agencies. In this spirit, the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA)…

Virtual Stakeholder Consultation on Transforming the Research for Development

Transforming research for development in eastern and southern Africa

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), will host a Virtual Stakeholder Consultation on Transforming the Research for Development (R4D) Landscape in eastern and southern Africa on 22 October 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM…