The Ugandan government has called on engineers to take an active role in addressing the country’s infrastructure and development challenges.
Speaking at the World Engineering Day celebrations, Prime Minister Robina Nabanja emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and accountability in the engineering sector.
During her remarks, Prime Minister Nabanja highlighted concerns regarding delays in the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), citing poor coordination and a lack of oversight. She noted that she had taken over coordination efforts to ensure a more structured approach.
“For how long shall we wait for the SGR to start? If you are not coordinating,” she questioned. Nabanja also underscored the importance of engineers providing tangible solutions rather than merely celebrating their profession.
She further urged engineers to contribute to the implementation of the National Development Plan 4 (NDP4), which is set to commence in July, and emphasized their role in achieving the country’s growth strategies.
“The future is promising under the NRM government, with improvements in the legal framework and enhanced regulation for engineers,” she added.
State Minister of Works Musa Echweru echoed these sentiments, criticizing inefficiencies in government project implementation. He pointed out the issue of unsynchronized development efforts, where different agencies fail to coordinate, leading to wastage of public resources.
“A sack of money that could make another road is going to be used for relocating a pipe built by two agencies from the same government. This should stop,” Echweru stated, urging engineers to draft resolutions to prevent such issues.
Chief Engineer Stephen Kitonsa outlined the critical role engineers must play in sustainable national development. He stressed that incorporating principles such as energy efficiency, climate resilience, and green infrastructure into engineering projects would drive long-term progress.
The event concluded with a call for engineers to actively communicate their proposals to the government for action. The celebrations marked a commitment to strengthening Uganda’s engineering sector as a pillar of national development