In Uganda today, the unemployment rate among young people aged 18–30 stands at 16.1%, according to the UBOS 2021 report. This statistic continues to drive national conversations about employability, innovation, and the need for more practical, skills-based learning opportunities.
Over the past three years, the MUST–IUC UCoBS Sub-Project 5 has been tackling this challenge head-on. Through its entrepreneurship bootcamps, mindset change programs, and hands-on skilling sessions, the project has trained more than 1,000 youth from Mbarara University and the surrounding communities of Bwizibwera, Mbarara, Isingiro, Kasese, and Bundibugyo. These efforts have centered on increasing youth employability, nurturing innovative thinking, and turning ideas into viable business solutions.
Through design thinking and ideation, young innovators have identified pressing community challenges in agriculture, tourism and hospitality, ICT, health, manufacturing, and the environment. On average, 11 bootcamps are held annually, producing about 55 prototypes each year. However, despite these promising outcomes, challenges have persisted particularly around functional prototyping, commercialization, and linkage to industry mentorship.
It is against this backdrop that a delegation from MUST, comprising representatives from the Faculties of Interdisciplinary Studies, Engineering, and Business and Management Sciences, and led by Dr. Tumuhimbise Manasseh (Sub-Project 5 Team Leader), undertook a benchmarking visit to the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDIC) on Thursday, 30th October 2025.
Learning from a Model of Innovation
The benchmarking visit sought to understand EDIC’s training pedagogy and models, curriculum development approach, accelerator programs for innovators, available facilities, and potential collaboration pathways for MUST students and innovators.
During the engagement, Mr. Agaba Moses, representing EDIC’s Engineering and Manufacturing team, shared insights into the centre’s bold mandate to contribute at least USD 6.935 billion to Uganda’s GDP by 2040 through industrial innovation and technical excellence. He emphasized that this mission cannot be achieved by EDIC alone; rather, it thrives on strategic partnerships with institutions like MUST–IUC UCoBS Project 5, which equip and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Mr. Agaba explained that EDIC’s training model focuses on practical, occupation-based learning, where trainees utilize the centre’s advanced facilities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts. Notably, EDIC’s programs are recognized by international engineering bodies and delivered through eight-month intensive bootcamps.
Innovators at EDIC are guided through a rigorous screening process to ensure their ideas align with Uganda’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) agenda, with criteria such as a unique value proposition and market viability. Through prototyping, mentorship, logistics support, and business formalization under Firm Labs, innovators are empowered to transform their concepts into scalable enterprises.
The MUST delegation had the opportunity to tour EDIC’s cutting-edge facilities, including:
- CNC Machining Units – featuring CNC lathes and milling machines for high-precision manufacturing.
- Robotic Welding Arm – supporting fabrication and automated production.
- Automotive and Mechanical Systems Lab – equipped with training beds and OBD-II scanners.
- Digital Engineering Workstations – with advanced design tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and ANSYS.
These facilities showcased how applied technology and practical engineering can drive innovation and industrial growth.
A Shared Future
One of the most promising outcomes of the benchmarking visit was EDIC’s commitment to host the first-ever bootcamp for MUST lecturers. This training will enhance the capacity of academic mentors guiding innovators and student practicums a significant step now that EDIC’s training manuals are approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Equally significant was the agreement to formalize collaboration through an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MUST and EDIC, which will strengthen joint efforts in innovation, research, and industrial development.
A Brighter Path Ahead
With these new partnerships, the future of youth innovation and entrepreneurship particularly in the manufacturing sector shines even brighter. The benchmarking visit reaffirmed that by combining academic learning, industrial mentorship, and hands-on experience, Uganda’s youth can become the driving force behind sustainable development and economic transformation.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our Local Coordinator, Prof. Charles Kazooba, for his leadership, and to our Flemish partners, whose generous support continues to make this transformative work possible.
Together, we are building pathways for innovation, employability, and inclusive growth one youth entrepreneur at a time.