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Yesterday 4th October 2023, Lt Gen James Mugira, the Managing Director – National Enterprise Corporation (NEC
Uganda Design Summit 2023 at the Kyambogo University School of Art and Industrial Design under the theme: *Weaving an Afrikan Design Mat*
The Summit which drew about 200 participants from local and international and will run from October 3-6, 2023, and intends to offer a broad exchange of ideas by academia, design researchers and practitioners, and stakeholders from a variety of perspectives, disciplines and fields across Africa and beyond.
Lt Gen James Mugira, the Managing Director – National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) with the Minister Of Science and Technology Doctor Monica Musenero at the function.
Gen Mugira presented a paper on *Demystifying the old perception that soldiers are for war: Innovations and creatives of Uganda People’s Defence Forces for Sustainable Development*.
Gen Mugira highlighted the historical, social and economic narratives and how UPDF has engaged the creative and innovative industries for national growth and development.
Gen Mugira informed the Summit that UPDF demystified the old perception that soldiers are only for war by obligating it to be a productive force for the development of Uganda as stipulated in Art. 209(d) of the Uganda Constitution.
He further informed the Summit that UPDF is pursuing a deliberate policy of engaging itself in productive activities for the socio-economic development of Uganda and the development of Defence Industries with Science, Technology and Innovation as a major Research and Development component.
Gen Mugira emphasised that local defence industry capabilities are extremely important for any country by providing self-reliance and sustainability in- country capability for supplying the armed forces, especially during combat.
Gen Mugira further elaborated on the NEC’s multifaceted contribution to national growth and development through its subsidiary companies and Joint Ventures.
Hon Dr Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, who was the Chief Guest emphasised the need to translate designs into output by transiting from science-technology-innovation to commercialisation.
Earlier, the Chief Guest visited the Exhibition Stalls and appreciated the innovated products exhibited by NEC.
Prof Eli Katunguka, the Vice Chancellor Kyambogo University applauded the School of Art and Industrial Design for international and local collaboration.
He underscored the importance of design and its impact on beauty, image, construction etc.