“Science is the foundation of societal modernization.”

President Museveni noted on Tuesday that a scientist is more than a bystander in the economy.

Museveni said that for Uganda to advance technologically, it must pay its scientists well, as he opened the Presidential CEO meeting at State House.

“I am relieved that my colleagues have decided to compensate scientists fairly. You must get to higher-level technologies so that we can both defend ourselves and profit. For a long time, foreigners have made money off of microorganisms. Look up the amount of money made from vaccines on the internet,” he stated.

The Presidential CEO Forum serves as a direct and effective interface between private sector leaders, company CEOs, and government officials, with the goal of advancing the national development agenda.

President Museveni has stated multiple times that the government is committed to increasing salaries for doctors and other scientists, claiming that the government is committed to improving Uganda through a science-led development approach.

Museveni stated that his government will continue to strengthen the scientific training and salary budget so that the country can train and retain scientists for their critical role in the country’s development and sustainability.

“KACITA used to be a problem for me. Their line of work was importing. They even went so far as to import wigs. The fundamental message is to reduce and eliminate imports as much as possible. I’ve never worked in the import/export business. We are farmers, and some have begun manufacturing, so I am delighted even my children don’t,” Museveni said.

The president expressed his delight at the inauguration of the Presidential CEO Forum, and stated that he will host a retreat in Kyankwanzi for them [leaders] to synchronize their ideas globally.

“We should constantly contact these organizations when developing policies. The soldiers of the economy are present. What are you not asking them? They’ve arrived and are well-organized. Museveni instructed officials from the Ministry of Finance, “Let us consult them.”

Barbara Mulwana, the chairperson of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, stated that the conference will boost development efforts by bringing the private sector into discussions about social economic transformation and policy orientation.

The forum, she continued, will provide a direct line of communication with the head of state in order to encourage smart industrialisation, value addition, and purposeful leadership initiatives.