“It is a pleasure to be part of the USAID Innovation Bazaar today at Makerere University School of Public Health – ResilientAfrica Network (RAN). We thank USAID for extending such a rich opportunity to Makerere University and the community of Innovators and young Entrepreneurs.
Makerere University is privileged to lead such a big consortium of universities; The ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) bringing together 20 African Universities in 16 countries yet remarkably the only African development lab among 7 U.S. based development labs under the Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN). It is fulfilling to note that the HESN Development Labs like RAN are researching, incubating and accelerating solutions in partnership with local universities and communities to deliver the remarkable impact. The HESN has created a vibrant framework of cooperation between local actors, development professionals, and academics who know that innovation is key to tackle the complexities of the modern-day development challenges.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I was duly briefed that the purpose of this Bazaar is to build mutually beneficial linkages between innovators in Uganda working on Agriculture and Food security to USAID/Uganda Feed the Future implementing partners. These linkages will provide innovators with resources to scale and expand their businesses, access market connections, funding, promotion and visibility, while allowing USAID programs to identify innovations that will improve their results and ultimately contribute to better development impact around Agriculture, enhanced food security and nutrition for communities among others.
On that note, I wish to quote President Obama who recently remarked that; “finding, funding and scaling up innovation is one of the main tools we have to address the 21st century global challenges”.
In Uganda we have noted with concern how global issues affect our economy and in-turn our country. To change the situation, we need to support the development and scaling of disruptive innovations as paradigm changers. The new Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is well positioned to support this growing ecosystem of Innovation. Thank you development partners for the continued support and taking these timely strides especially considering how the ICT sector is rapidly advancing at a global level and I look forward to a constructive dialogue.
Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for honouring our invitation to this event. I believe every Innovator, Entrepreneur and Implementing Partner present will harness this opportunity and build long life connections and networks.
“For God and my Country”.”