The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Salim Saleh has pledged to continue supporting innovations at Makerere University in order to nurture upcoming entrepreneurs.

Speaking on his behalf, the Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina said they were proud to be associated with innovations in Makerere University.

“The OWC fraternity commends the University over their efforts. You give us confidence that the future is brighter than others say,” Lt. Gen. Angina said. “I urge you students to be better people in the country and produce unique products than those in the market.”

Lt. Gen. Angina was speaking at the second Entrepreneurship Students Expo organised by the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at the Freedom Square, on Friday 27th October 2017. He added that OWC would continue to support innovations across the country.

The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. William Bazeyo revealed that the University Management would set up an innovation fund to support students, whose ideas would be found viable. He represented the Vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, who was out of station on official duty.

“Makerere University has big potential and the raw materials, the brains are here … if we were doing this [exhibition] every week, it would be an amazing place,” he said. On behalf of the University Management, Prof. Bazeyo pledged to support the best five innovators at the expo. He also requested CoBAMS to consider holding the student exhibition, twice a year, to be able to track improvements.

The CoBAMS Principal, Dr. Eria Hisali assured the students that success was possible as long as they partnered with good sponsors. He explained that the exhibition was intended to help fight unemployment in the country.

“On many occasions, we have seen a number of graduates moving from door to door looking for jobs. The main cause of this is students lacking the entrepreneurial skills and seeing this exhibition from you the students, I’m impressed,” said Dr. Hisali.

The Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Umar Kakumba commended the students for their innovations and explained that the Expo under the theme, MAK has Talent, was about nurturing an enterprising mind. The College would continue working with various business partners to help students create an impact in their communities.

Speaking on the side lines of the expo, Dr. Peter Turyakira, the Head of Department of Marketing and Management explained that the college introduces theory to the students, who then are encouraged to put the ideas into practice. Dr. Turyakira emphasized the need for a practical approach to learning at Makerere University.

He added that the programme would enable students to become job creators rather than job seekers. “As course work, we have decided that they should demonstrate what they have learned rather than repeating what has been told to them,” he said.

exhibition saw over 1,000 students showcasing various products, ranging from Eco packaging materials, charcoal stoves, cakes, processed jam, honey, fruit shakes to juices and bushera (sorghum porridge), candles, and briquettes among other products.

There were other presentations by public entities, such as Operation Wealth Creation, Uganda Revenue Authority and Pride Microfinance.

Dr. Turyakira explained that the move would eventually culminate into an entrepreneurship centre, to train students on how to start and manage/maintain their business ideas.

“Whether you are an engineer, or a doctor, you need entrepreneur skills … how do you start a business, how do you sustain it?” he asked.

He explained that department hoped to encourage students to find ways of sustaining their businesses and the end the adage – that Uganda is the deathbed for many small scale businesses.

The Expo featured students drawn from various programmes, such as the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Development Economics, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, as well as Master of Business Administration, Master of Economic Policy and Management.

The exhibitors, who were organised in groups of five to ten, were evaluated on their performances during the exhibition. A team of facilitators from CoBAMs evaluated the 145 business ideas/innovations presented during the Expo. The best five (5) were set aside for recognition.

Winning the Shs 1m award for best exhibitor, was To App, who devised a software application for first year admissions. The second place, claiming a cash prize of Shs 700,000 was Agro Innovations, a group that developed a solar dryer to limit post-harvest losses. This dryer is able to store energy, when the sun is not shining brightly. They had also developed a host of other products. In third place, Nkwatako Beverages, a group of postgraduate students, who received a Shs 500,000 cash prize for their efforts in wine making.

whose efforts were recognised for their innovations were Organic jack fruit jam; makers of bread spread as well as Esperanza Limited, who made a charcoal stove from anthill soil and grass.

Among the many exhibitors was a group called Unique Candle makers, who showcased new designs, including glass candles to limit fire outbreaks. The group is planning candles designed to ward off mosquitoes, while leaving behind a good aroma. The move is aimed at reducing malaria in various homes.

The Expo was sponsored by Operation Wealth Creation, with additional support from Pride Microfinance, Uganda Revenue Authority, Equity Bank, Centenary Bank and Mr. Eriot Arinaitwe.