A group of 20 young Ugandan engineers has returned home after completing advanced studies in science and technology in Malaysia.
The engineers, supported under the Presidential Initiative on Science Development, arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and were welcomed by Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja, the Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Agribusiness.
“All along we’ve been telling you that His Excellency, the President, is very deliberate and strategic in promoting science and technology,” Dr. Musoke said. “He supported these young people, who obtained their first degrees here in Uganda, to pursue further training in Malaysia across various technological fields. You cannot develop any country without science. So, when you hear His Excellency advocating for scientists, this is what it means.”
Dr. Musoke also revealed that State House is establishing a national technological demonstration centre in Gundu, Entebbe, aimed at empowering talented Ugandan scientists to develop homegrown solutions through applied science.
The team, which includes two female engineers—Lynette Nazziwa and Chanda Galabuzi—completed a two-year Master’s program at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Their areas of specialisation span a wide range of engineering disciplines, including cybersecurity, power systems, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, information technology, and mechatronics and automatic control.
Ms. Chanda Galabuzi, who earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, expressed her gratitude to President Museveni and the Presidential Initiative for the opportunity to advance her skills.
“I’m grateful to be back home, and I thank the Almighty God for guiding us through this journey,” she said. “I encourage the young girls out there not to be scared of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses because we have a big role to play as women and girls. It’s an interesting field that I would encourage anybody to pursue.”
Similarly, Ms. Nazziwa, who completed a Master’s degree in Mechatronics and Automatic Control, emphasised the team’s commitment to applying what they have learned to national development.
“Above all, we’d like to thank the government of Uganda and President Museveni for this great opportunity. We don’t take it for granted. We believe that with the knowledge we’ve gained, we will contribute to building the nation and advancing Uganda’s position in science and technology,” she said.
Mr. Tumusiime Anthony, who specialises in cybersecurity, underscored the importance of safeguarding Uganda’s digital infrastructure amid rising cyber threats. “Cybersecurity is about protecting our digital space. Many African countries still lack strong cyber frameworks to secure their data and citizens,” he noted. “We need to take control of our digital space. I’m returning with a wealth of knowledge and urge urgent formulation of robust cybersecurity policies.”
Another graduate, Mr. Joshua Kasirye, who studied Mechatronics and Automatic Control, expressed readiness to apply his expertise in strengthening systems within government agencies and institutions.
The Presidential Initiative on Science Development is a government-led effort aimed at accelerating scientific innovation and building national capacity in science and technology. It supports research, undergraduate and graduate science programs, and promotes collaboration between academia and industry. The initiative seeks to develop a skilled workforce, modernise research infrastructure, and encourage the adoption of scientific solutions across sectors.