Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat

What Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat does

The Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat (STI Secretariat) is a government coordination body operating under Uganda's Office of the President, headquartered in Kampala. It mobilizes and provides strategic oversight to scientists, academic and research institutions, state enterprises (UIRI, UNCST, Kiira Motors Corporation, PIBID), and private-sector partners across eight prioritized Industrial Value Chains: Mobility, Pathogen Economy, Industry 4.0+, Productivity Acceleration, Aeronautics and Space Science, Infrastructure Innovation, Import Substitution, and Export-Targeted STI. Its mandate is to shift Uganda's economy toward science-led modernization targeting a USD 550 billion GDP by 2040, achieved by attracting investment to the STI ecosystem (USD 800M targeted, USD 150M realized since FY 2021/2022) and providing direct support to innovators from ideation to market.

The Secretariat's core technology portfolio spans electric vehicles (Kayoola EVS buses, BINGWA 3-in-1 trike, Tondeka bus, electric motorcycles), local electronics manufacturing at a 100,000-unit-per-year facility, solar-powered IoT-enabled water pumps, and biotechnology platforms including a WIPO-filed Adenovector Vaccine Backbone and clinically validated herbal drugs (Tazcov and Vidicine). Other assets include PearlAfricaSat-1 (Uganda's first satellite, launched 2022 via NASA/JAXA/UNOOSA partnerships) and the upcoming 152-acre Biosciences Park in Nakasongola and DeepTech Centre of Excellence in Namanve, both launched in April 2025.

The Secretariat does not operate a commercial pricing model; it is government-funded and offers coordination, funding access (Innovation Fund, UDB patient financing MoU), and infrastructure support services such as the STI One Stop Centre and Innovations Exchange Centre. Its customers are MDAs, universities (Makerere, Gulu, Busitema, Mbarara, Muni), innovators and startups, private-sector firms, and international partners including Africa CDC, JAXA, NASA, and Ennos (Switzerland). Notable ecosystem outcomes include UGX 135.8B saved via internal respiratory diagnostics, USD 2M from diagnostic proficiency panel exports to 15 African countries, and reported UGX 150B ROI on COVID-19 PCR test kits and Covidex government investment.

Name

Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat

Legal name

Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat

Website

https://sti.go.ug

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The STI Secretariat is a Ugandan government body under the Office of the President that coordinates scientific research, supports innovators, and manages eight industrial value chains (mobility, pathogen economy, industry 4.0+, space science, productivity, infrastructure) targeting a USD 550 billion knowledge-based economy by 2040.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Science, Technology and Innovation Coordination

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Systems Strengthening & Global Health Technical Assistance (BPADAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Supply Chain, Procurement & Access to Medicines (BPADAIAI), Digital Health, Health Information Systems & Data Programs (BPADAIAJ), Data, Surveillance & Digital Public Goods Partnerships for Global Health (HLAJAOAN)

Keywords

• Science technology innovation policy
• Government research coordination
• Industrial value chain development
• Innovation ecosystem funding
• Technology commercialization support

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Capital Investment Attraction: The secretariat attracts private capital investment to support innovators and innovation-driven enterprises, working with different funding sources to access financial resources.
2. Patient Financing through UDB: Flexible funding arrangements through Memorandum of Understanding with Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to support bankable innovations in Phases III and IV with patient financing.
3. Innovation Fund Grants: Direct grant support to innovators through the Innovation Fund, with over 100 projects supported across Uganda since 2021, creating thousands of jobs.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The STI Secretariat coordinates Uganda's science, technology and innovation ecosystem across eight priority industrial value chains: Mobility (Kayoola EVS buses, BINGWA trikes, electric motorcycles), Pathogen Economy (vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics), Industry 4.0+ (smart electronics, AI, robotics), Productivity Acceleration (banana, cassava, sweet potato value addition), Aeronautics/Space (PearlAfricaSat-1 satellite), Infrastructure Innovation, Import Substitution, and Export-Targeted STI. It funds and supports innovators through the Innovation Fund, One Stop Centre, Innovations Exchange Centre, and patient financing arrangements with UDB.

Product overview

The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat is a government body under Uganda's Office of the President that operates as a coordinating and facilitating agency rather than a traditional product company. The STI-OP manages a portfolio of interconnected programs organized into eight priority Industrial Value Chains: Mobility (electric vehicles including Kayoola EVS buses and electric motorcycles), Pathogen Economy (vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics for human/animal/plant health), Industry 4.0+ (smart electronics, AI, robotics, cybersecurity), Productivity Acceleration (agricultural value addition through PIBID and other initiatives), Aeronautics and Space Science (PearlAfricaSat-1 and aerospace program), Infrastructure Innovations (NSTEIC, TIBIC), Export-Targeted STI, and Import Substitution. Support services include the STI One Stop Centre, Innovations Exchange Centre, Business Launch Support, Investor Forum, Flexible Funding Arrangements with UDB, and Upskilling/Incubation Programs. Major facilities include the DeepTech Centre of Excellence and Biosciences Park (152 acres in Nakasongola). The Secretariat also organizes flagship events including National Science Week, Investor Summits, E-mobility Expos, and Deep-Tech Summits, supported by publications like the STI Telegraphy newsletter and sector reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STI Innovation Fund: A fund supporting home-grown innovations and startups across Uganda's priority value chains, providing strategic support to over 100 projects since 2021.
• STI One Stop Centre
• Innovations Exchange Centre
• DeepTech Centre of Excellence
• National Biosciences Park

Products and services

• Kayoola EVS Electric Bus Locally designed all-electric bus for urban mass transportation with 200km range, featuring a cashless ticketing system. Produced by Kiira Motors Corporation for Uganda's National E-Mobility Strategy.
• BINGWA 3-in-1 Trike 3-in-1 trike for agricultural applications, part of Uganda's mobility value chain.
• PearlAfricaSat-1 Satellite Uganda's first satellite built by Ugandan engineers as part of the multinational BIRDS-5 project, deployed in partnership with JAXA and NASA.
• Tazcov and Vidicine Herbal Drugs Locally developed herbal drugs for acute respiratory infections that completed clinical trials and received government approval, marking the first local herbs to undergo scientific standardization of this kind in Uganda.
• Locally Manufactured Smart Electronics Smart electronics including hairdryers, calculators, and drones manufactured at the Lwera Electronics and Semiconductors facility with 100,000 units per year capacity, featuring state-of-the-art fabrication laboratory (Fablab).
• Solar-powered IoT-enabled Water Pumps Solar-powered IoT-enabled surface water pumps integrating Swiss technology from Ennos with Ugandan technology from Innovex.
• STI Innovation Fund Government funding program supporting home-grown innovations and startups across Uganda's priority value chains (electronics manufacturing, agricultural value addition, e-mobility, healthcare innovations), having supported over 100 projects since 2021.
• STI One Stop Centre Friendly contact and dialogue interface between the STI Secretariat and all categories of innovators, operational at the Secretariat Head Office with a digital platform under development.
• Innovations Exchange Centre Marketplace for ideas and innovations where innovators interact with scientists, private sector, and other stakeholders to facilitate development and commercialization.
• National Biosciences Park A 152-acre one-stop center for R&D and pilot industrial manufacturing for vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and other inputs targeting human, animal, and plant health, located in Nakasongola district.
• DeepTech Centre of Excellence National flagship initiative for high-impact, next-generation technologies including advanced electronics, AI, additive manufacturing, industrial automation, and cloud computing, located in Namanve.

Quantifiable outcome

• GDP target of USD 550 billion by 2040 through knowledge-based economy
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and strategic.

• UNOOSA (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsored the EKU-Climcam project in partnership with Egypt and Kenya to address climate change effects in East Africa. Project aimed to build an earth observation camera system for installation on ISS Bartolomeo module.
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 7 November 2022Partnered for deployment of PearlAfricaSat-1 satellite through the multinational BIRDS-5 project. JAXA conducted final testing and approved satellite deployment into international space.
• UIRI (Uganda Industrial Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey implementation partner for creation and production of practical innovative solutions such as EVs, vaccines, smart electronics. Works with secretariat to support innovators along the idea to market journey.
• UNCST (Uganda National Council for Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing the National Science Technology Engineering Innovation and Skills Enhancement Project (NSTEI-SEP) to establish science and technology parks, engineering centers, and incubation facilities meeting international standards.
• Kiira Motors CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobility State Enterprise championing value addition in automotive industry. Has established the biggest, most competent bus manufacturing facility on the African continent. Partner in electric vehicle development and manufacturing.
• PIBID (Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidential initiative focused on creating high value products from banana raw materials. Has registered IP, generated premium income for farmers, foreign revenue through exports, and created jobs.
• NASA (United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationSuccessfully deployed PearlAfricaSat-1 into international space as part of the BIRDS-5 satellite project.
• National Enterprise Corporation (NEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided 50 acres of land in Nakasongola (expandable to 152 acres) for establishment of Biosciences Park for vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics R&D and manufacturing.
• Makerere University Lung InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for clinical trials of Tazcov and Vidicine herbal drugs for acute respiratory infections. Clinicians from institute confirmed safety and efficacy of the locally developed drugs.
• Enterprise Neurosystem (USA)strategicTechnology or IntegrationTechnology experts Bill Wright and John Overton from USA co-founded Enterprise Neurosystem are supporting implementation of Deep Tech and Climate Tech Strategies in Uganda.
• Raspberry PistrategicTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for electronics design and hardware innovation through R&D, training, academic partnerships, and prototyping at Lwera Electronics facility.
• Shenzhen Firms (China)strategicTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for electronics design and hardware innovation through R&D, training, academic partnerships, and prototyping at Lwera Electronics facility.
• RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported commercialization of Academic Research Initiative (CARI) to transition university-led innovations to market-ready products through mentorship and financing.
• KaCyber TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped cashless ticketing system deployed on Kayoola Electric Buses enabling digital payment platforms for public transport.
• Makerere University-COVABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Science-Led Productivity Accelerator Tool development and 15 startups leveraging AI for Health innovations incubation and acceleration.
• Africa CDC (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on epidemic research, public health response, and regional approach to disease surveillance, data sharing, and resource pooling for epidemic preparedness.
• Ennos (Switzerland)strategicTechnology or IntegrationSwiss technology partner for solar-powered IoT-enabled surface water pumps manufacturing, integrating Swiss technology with Ugandan technology from Innovex.
• Gulu UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for operationalizing cassava processing plant business for industrial starch production, generating products including starch, HQCF, and grit.
• CURAD (Consortium for Enhancing University Student's Responsiveness to Agro-Enterprise Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for sweet potato value chain development creating products including breads, baby foods, snacks, mandazi from sweet potato value addition.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rwanda Ministry of ICT and Innovation: Rwanda's government ministry coordinating ICT and innovation policy. Comparable as an East African government body driving science-led economic transformation and innovation ecosystem support.
• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA): South Africa's public entity that funds and supports technology innovation and commercialization. Directly comparable as a national government-mandated STI funding and coordination body operating across industrial value chains.
• Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH): Tanzania's national STI coordination body under government authority. Comparable as an East African peer that mobilizes scientific research, funds innovation, and advises on technology policy at the national level.
• National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI): Kenya's statutory body for STI coordination, regulation, and funding. Comparable as a regional government peer performing research funding, accreditation, and innovation policy advisory functions.

Broad incumbents

• TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye): Türkiye's leading STI agency funding research, supporting industrial R&D, and operating R&D centers. Comparable as a state-level institution mobilizing scientific research across value chains and supporting industrialization targets.
• Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency funding R&D and helping business grow through technology. Comparable as a mature, well-funded government innovation agency with grant funding, ecosystem convening, and commercialization support functions.
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR, South Africa): South Africa's premier scientific R&D organization with industrial value-chain focus across health, manufacturing, and defense. Comparable as a much larger, established African state R&D institution with multi-disciplinary mandate.
• National Research Foundation (South Africa): South Africa's national agency funding research, supporting innovation, and building research capacity. Comparable as an established African government agency channeling investment to researchers and innovation-driven enterprises.

Others

• African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank): Pan-African multilateral trade finance institution supporting export-led industrialization. Comparable as an enabling capital provider relevant to the Secretariat's import-substitution and export-targeted STI mandates.
• African Development Bank (AfDB): Continental development finance institution funding infrastructure, health, and industrial development across Africa. Comparable as an enabling ecosystem partner that channels capital into African STI and industrial value-chain projects the Secretariat mobilizes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stisecretariat
• Facebookfacebook.com/STIsecretariatug
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/science-technology-and-innovation-secretariat-of-uganda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat