MUST Launches Innovation Center, Holdings Company for Sustainability

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has unveiled two transformative initiatives: the Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) and the MUST Holdings Company.
These projects aim to enhance research, safeguard intellectual property, and create jobs, marking a significant leap in the university’s efforts to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and align with global standards.
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The launch event, held at Kihumuro Grounds, underscored MUST’s commitment to technological advancement and sustainability.
James Tony Lubwama, Manager of Patents and Industrial Design at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), officiated as the chief guest on behalf of Mercy Kainobwisho, Registrar General of URSB.
In his remarks, Lubwama addressed a key challenge in Uganda’s research landscape: reliance on basic internet searches for information.
“Many researchers rely solely on Google, which impacts the quality of innovations produced. With TISC, we now have access to specialized databases to improve research depth and enhance commercialization prospects,” he said.
Lubwama emphasized that protecting intellectual property must go hand-in-hand with commercialization.
“It’s not enough to secure intellectual property rights; we need to ensure these innovations contribute to solving real-world challenges like unemployment. TISC is a critical step in this direction,” he added.
Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, Director of the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT), highlighted the two years of preparation that culminated in the establishment of TISC.
He commended the partnership between URSB and MUST, which has strengthened intellectual property registration and business development.
“CITT coordinates, nurtures, and instills a spirit of innovation and technology transfer at MUST,” Dr. Twinamatsiko explained.
He noted that the center oversees nine innovation hubs, including CAMTEC Uganda, Pharmbiotrac, and the Business Incubation Center (BIC), which focus on medical technology, herbal medicine standardization, and commercialization of ideas.
Dr. Twinamatsiko also outlined TISC’s broader vision: equipping innovators with access to vital resources and training in intellectual property.
“If this process is effectively managed, our innovations can gain visibility in 157 countries worldwide,” he remarked.
Professor Pauline Byakika, Vice Chancellor of MUST, lauded the university’s achievements. “Today’s launch reflects the robust innovation ecosystem built at MUST.
However, we must foster collaboration among stakeholders and move beyond siloed approaches to achieve shared goals,” she said.
The launch of TISC and the MUST Holdings Company represents a bold move toward positioning MUST as a leader in research, innovation, and sustainability.
By emphasizing collaboration, excellence, and commercialization, these initiatives are set to tackle critical national challenges and redefine Uganda’s higher education landscape.
Through these efforts, MUST aims to create jobs, drive innovation, and elevate Uganda’s development on the global stage.