Uganda to Launch its First-Ever Satellite in September

Uganda will launch its first-ever satellite into space this year, Finance minister Matia Kasaija has said.

“Madam Speaker, in September this year Uganda will launch into the Lower Earth Orbit its first-ever satellite from the International Space Station in collaboration with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),” Kasaija said.

He was Tuesday reading this year’s budget speech at Kololo Independence Grounds.

According to him, a ground station at Mpoma, Mukono will receive data from the satellite.

The data from this satellite will be used for meteorology, environmental monitoring, urban planning, mineral exploration, and disaster management, among others.

“Madam Speaker, I have allocated Shs. 274.4 billion towards advancing innovation and technological development in this country.”

COVID-19 vaccines

On Science and Innovation, Kasaija said the government is developing three prospective COVID-19 vaccines which are undergoing animal trials.

Human trials will commence next financial year.

In addition, clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment for viral respiratory diseases are ongoing.

In the next financial year, research into medicine development will be expanded to cancer, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and malaria.

Salaries for science teachers increased

The salaries of medical workers, scientists and science teachers have been enhanced by Shs495 billion.

In addition to incentivizing scientists, this will also help to improve functionality of education and health facilities by addressing absenteeism and low morale of personnel, said Kasaija.

“Madam Speaker, education is a key opportunity equaliser for human beings,” he pointed out.

He said during the Covid-19 induced lockdown period, many teachers abandoned the profession, and classrooms got dilapidated in several institutions.

“But now efforts have started to revamp the education sector. Priority will be put on improving the quality of education to enhance learning outcomes.”

The following will be undertaken:

1. i) Staffing gaps will be filled in primary and secondary schools;
2. ii) Training of teachers and instructors on the new abridged curriculum will continue, and the lower secondary curriculum will be rolled out;

iii)     Continuous assessment will be fully rolled out;

1. iv) Inspections across all learning institutions will be strengthened using the Teacher Education and Learning Assessment (TELA) system;
2. v) Operationalisation of the Moroto Constituent College of Agriculture, Mountains of the Moon, and Busoga Universities will take effect. Consultations to operationalise Bunyoro University will commence next financial year 2023/24;
3. vi) Construction and equipping of two-Unit Laboratories in 21 secondary schools currently without any, in line with the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Policy; and

vii)    The construction, upgrading and equipping of Vocational Education Centres of Excellence in Bushenyi, Lira, and Elgon technical institutions will be completed.

“Madam Speaker, I have allocated Shs 4.14 trillion towards the education and skilling sub-programmes,” Kasaija informed parliament.