Uganda

Gender inequalities in science, technology, and innovation (STI) remain a global challenge. Women’s representation dwindles as they proceed through the ‘leaky’ STI pipeline (Huyer, 2019). Addressing gender equality and inclusion (GEI) in STI is an issue of social justice and socio-economic advancement on a national scale. Gender transformation is a UNESCO priority and is embedded…

The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) is driving innovation and research in Uganda’s manufacturing sector. In 2023, UNCST completed a project under the Science Granting Councils Initiative, focusing on Public-Private Partnerships to drive growth and development in manufacturing. More specifically, it aimed to: In this blog, we look at the outputs and…

Shea butter is a rich fat derived from the nuts of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). It plays an important role in a number of industries, including cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals. At least one billion shea butter fruiting trees grow on the African continent spanning 21 countries and around 3-4 million km2. They yield around…

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

[NAIROBI] Mass breeding of desert locusts in a controlled environment could provide a sustainable source of protein for animals and humans as well as business opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers say. With nearly 282 million people in Africa undernourished and a growing population, there is an urgent need for more sustainable food sources and edible…

New climate-resistant wheat varieties developed in Uganda will reduce reliance on foreign exports and support local food production, according to agricultural researchers. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a growing demand for wheat, but rising temperatures are putting yields increasingly at risk. Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is promoting and distributing two new seed varieties,…

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.

These project abstracts are part of the COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund, which include science-focused COVID-19 response projects across Africa. The aim of the projects is to provide evidence-based science advice for effective policy making during the pandemic. The COVID-19 science advice project abstracts Dr. Aliyu Muhammad, Nigerian Young Academy (Nigeria) The aim of this…

Cocoa is an essential crop in Uganda. In fact, it ranks as the country’s fourth-largest foreign income earner. Most of the cocoa comes from small-scale farmers working on less than a hectare of land. But these farmers face significant challenges, especially when it comes to fermentation, a crucial step in producing high-quality cocoa beans. This…

Uganda’s National Research Outlook Report 2023 shows that Science, technology and innovation are set to play a vital role in the country’s socioeconomic development. The report, compiled by Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), helps to identify system gaps in Uganda’s science and technology capacity. Addressing these gaps will help Uganda build resilience…