Connect with us

Engineering, Art & Tech

Minister Monica Musenero Unveils Locally-made Diesel Engine

Published

on

It was a show of innovations geared towards mechanisation of farming processes as the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations, Dr. Monica Musenero, launched locally made engines today August 19, 2021.

A team of researchers from the African Centre of Excellence for Material science and nanotechnology (MAPRONANO) partnered with artisans from Kevoton Engineering, to design and assemble a diesel engine, the first of its kind in Uganda.

It is a single cylinder 4 stroke engine  with 13 horse power and consumes 1 litre of fuel per hour. The engine is a water-cooled and therefore does not heat up.

The engines are able to run a generator and a water pump to facilitate irrigation on farms. The generator, is single phase and can therefore be used to power home appliances and small workshops.

According to Mr. Mubiru Rogers of Kevoton Engineering, work on the engines started in 2017, but they were not able to make much progress until 2019 when they partnered with MAPRONANO ACE. The centre of excellence was then able provide training and technical advice, designing and student attachments to the project.

The Minister commended the MAPRONANO team, led by Prof. John Baptist Kirabira, for various innovations that the team in churning out, which included a sanitizer made in Makerere, solar panel slasher, and a mini tractor. 

Dr. Musenero challenged researchers to have a mindset change and also change the pedagogy to reposition theory to practical works. “We need to teach the students knowing that they are going to design and develop an engine or a brake system,” Dr. Musenero emphasised.  She encouraged innovators to ensure their products do not stay on the selves, saying the biggest role of science and innovation is economical.  The Minister said, for this reason, PRESIDE which she chairs focused on equipping laboratories in universities so as ensure that scientists receive the facilitation that they require. “Research is like a river which needs an outflow and the Ministry is here to provide that outflow,” she said.

She advised the university to prioritise certain areas of research when it comes to grants instead of awarding small grants to different projects which only end up being a drop in the ocean. Dr. Musenero thanked the President for his continued support and belief in science and technology.

The minister advised that the prototypes be refined so that they are genderised to allow women to be able to operate the generator and water pump.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, called on the minister to support the introduction of an innovation park in Makerere University, saying the park would be able to spinoff companies. Giving an example of Instabul University, the Vice Chancellor said the university has been able to produce 300 companies over the last one year, saying Makerere University should be supported to do the same.  

Read more

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere University Engineering Students Awarded the EACOP-CPP Scholarships

Published

on

Ten Engineering students from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) were among the 28 academically talented yet financially disadvantaged students awarded full scholarships through the EACOP-CPP Scholarship Program under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kyambogo University and Makerere University.

On 5th September 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel, Makerere University’s School of Engineering joined the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd. (CPP) to witness the launch of the scholarship, during which the beneficiaries, mainly second-year engineering students, received scholarships to cover tuition and functional fees for three years.

Speaking at the event, EACOP’s Corporate Affairs and HR Director, Ms. Irene Baguma, representing the MD, noted that this is a joint programme with EACOP and CPP (Uganda). She said the mission of EACOP & CPP goes beyond the pipeline to uplifting communities, demonstrating their commitment to corporate social responsibility. They urged scholars to stay focused because they are ambassadors of hope and will, one day, bring hope and give back to the community.

Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, the Deputy Principal of CEDAT, spoke on behalf of the College, extending appreciation to the parties for the scholarships awarded to the students. He said this will enable the students to concentrate on their studies and have fewer worries about raising the tuition.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

Continue Reading

Engineering, Art & Tech

The Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) Project Team Engages with Roofings Rolling Mills, Namanve

Published

on

By Kikomeko Pius

On August 21, 2025, a delegation from the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) improvement project visited Roofings Rolling Mills’ facility in Namanve Industrial Park. The visit represented the project’s fourth major engagement with industry stakeholders, continuing its goal to foster a world-class safety culture within Uganda’s engineering and industrial sectors.

This OSHE initiative is a collaboration among Makerere University, Busitema University, and Kyambogo University, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom. It aims to establish Centres of Excellence at each university, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry application of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment(OSHE) standards.

The Makerere University team, led by Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, Head of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) and Principal Investigator of the project, received a warm welcome from a senior delegation of Roofings Rolling Mills. The reception involved key engineers from the Health and Safety Department, along with Human Resources and Production Managers, highlighting the company’s strong commitment to collaborative innovation and industrial partnership.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

Continue Reading

Engineering, Art & Tech

The Department of Construction Economics and Management Explores Asset Securitization Collaboration with Uganda Securities Exchange

Published

on

A high-level delegation from the Department of Construction Economics and Management, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), led by Head of Department Dr. Nathan Kibwami, has engaged the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) in strategic discussions aimed at unlocking new financing avenues for Ugandan businesses through asset securitization.

Accompanied by staff members Ronald Kaweesi and Tulikuno Collins, the delegation met with USE officials to explore collaborative opportunities focused on transforming both tangible and intangible assets into viable financial instruments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Among the key proposals was the development of a postgraduate programme in securitization of tangible assets, designed to build local expertise in asset-backed financing and capital markets. The team also discussed guest lecturing opportunities on the Bachelor of Science in Valuation programme, aiming to enrich academic instruction with practical insights from Uganda’s financial sector.

The dialogue emphasized the importance of building synergies between academia and capital markets to guide Ugandan businesses, particularly SME, in leveraging their asset portfolios to access financing. This initiative is expected to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth by empowering enterprises to tap into alternative funding mechanisms.

Dr. Kibwami noted that the partnership could “reshape how Ugandan businesses perceive and utilize their assets, not just as operational tools, but as strategic financial resources.”

The Uganda Securities Exchange welcomed the initiative, highlighting its alignment with ongoing efforts to deepen Uganda’s capital markets and support enterprise development. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between academic research, professional training, and real-world financial innovation.

Alex Isemaghendera

Continue Reading

Trending