Technology 25 September 2026 Nile Post
Shs325 Billion Kiruhura Centre to Transform Ugandan Innovations into Market Products
A new Shs325 billion Smart Manufacturing Centre in Kiruhura, dubbed the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDiC), aims to bridge the gap between university research and commercial production, enabling Ugandan innovators to bring their prototypes to market. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/373490/kiruhura-smart-manufacturing-centre-to-help-university-innovators-turn-prototypes-into-products
Uganda’s innovators have long struggled to transition prototypes developed in academic settings into commercially viable products. To address this persistent challenge, the government has invested approximately Shs325 billion in establishing the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDiC) in Rwebiteete, Kiruhura District.
This state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide engineers, researchers, students, and manufacturers with crucial access to advanced infrastructure and technical expertise. The goal is to empower them to develop, test, refine, and ultimately produce innovative products locally, fostering a more self-reliant industrial sector.
During a recent Partnership and Co-Creation Forum held at the centre, stakeholders emphasized the need to create direct pathways for skilled personnel trained at EDiC to integrate into modern production environments. The centre is envisioned as a premier national platform for engineering advancement, industrial innovation, and technology transfer.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaborations between academic institutions, including universities and TVET centers, and the private sector. “Research agendas should increasingly respond to production constraints and market opportunities,” noted Wilson Kajwengye, Nyabushozi County MP.
International partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are supporting EDiC’s operationalization. UNDP Country Representative, Nwane Vwedde Obahor, stressed that the center’s success hinges on more than just capability; it requires activation, including training skilled personnel to operate its advanced equipment.
The facility is expected to create a comprehensive ecosystem, linking research with product engineering, quality validation, manufacturing, financing, and market access. By equipping Ugandans with cutting-edge skills and infrastructure, EDiC aims to boost import substitution, enhance global competitiveness, and drive technological self-reliance.