Prof. Nawangwe Launches Project to Revitalize Makerere’s Food Technology and Business Incubation Center

Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has launched a project titled “Revitalizing the Food Technology and Business Incubation Center (FTBIC) to Unlock Innovation and Entrepreneurship Potential among Makerere University Graduates.” The project, which is funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF, aims to transform the FTBIC into a more vibrant and effective hub for student innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry development.

While launching the project, Prof. Nawangwe noted that the FTBIC is one of the most important centers in the University and it is expected to be churning out ideas, businesses, and innovations. He acknowledged that the funding from Mak-RIF will support the center to achieve its objectives. He also pledged support from the University management.

The Chairperson of the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee, Prof. Fred Masagazi-Masaazi was represented by Ms. Evelyn Nyachwo. Ms. Nyachwo urged the project team to engage with relevant stakeholders including Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). She also added that to maximize project impact, there is a need to integrate what is taught in classrooms with the industrial practice outside the university.

Other dignitaries present were Prof. Robert Wamala, the Director, DRGT, Ms. Leontina Nayiga, the Supervisor Food Research and Development at Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), Ms. Margaret Nagwovuma, the Deputy Manager at the Makerere University Innovation Pod, and others.

About FTBIC

In 2010, the Food Technology and Business Incubation Center was born. It aimed to strengthen skills training and contribute to the development of the agro-processing sector in Uganda by creating a conducive entrepreneurial environment for graduates, students and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the agro processing sector.

The vision for the Centre was to act as a hub where academia, community and students would co-develop viable value addition solutions for the food industry in addition to providing business potential and skills required to boost employment at the small and medium term scale level.

However, the FTBIC continued to support minimal skills training for students it majorly supports incubatees from outside the University to develop their businesses. With support from Mak-RIF, the capacity of the FTBIC will be enhanced to support students and graduates to convert their innovations into viable enterprises and competitive products. The project will renovate, refurbish, and revitalize the current FTBIC to support more innovations and startups and will focuss on technology integration leveraging the advances in AI tools, block chain tech, robotics, and other ICT innovations.