Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has urged engineers to prioritize innovation in their field, especially in road and construction projects. Speaking at the 2023 National Technology Conference and Exhibition organized by the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) in Kampala, Tayebwa emphasized that innovation is vital for Africa to address its challenges and develop homegrown solutions.
Tayebwa stressed that resolving critical issues requires new approaches, with developing countries benefiting significantly from innovative solutions. He encouraged engineers to collaborate on setting standards and sharing knowledge across the African continent to tackle common challenges, particularly the high cost of road construction.
Highlighting disparities in costs between projects, Tayebwa showcased the example of Uganda’s Entebbe Expressway compared to Kenya’s Thika Highway. He proposed that the engineering profession adopt a more comprehensive strategy for managing national infrastructure projects to overcome such discrepancies.
Operating under the theme “Tapping Engineering Opportunities for Accelerated African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation,” the two-day conference has gathered engineers, stakeholders, students, and the public from across Africa.
Tayebwa also noted that both the Parliament and government are committed to promoting local content in infrastructure projects while cautioning engineers against engaging in corrupt practices during project competition.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, pledged to expedite the passage of the Engineers Professionals Bill 2022 to regulate the profession and enhance public trust.
Eng. Papias Dedeki Kazawadi, the President of the Federation of the African Engineering Organization, emphasized the need for collaboration among professionals, especially engineers, to leverage opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, civil societies, and professional bodies for the success of AfCFTA.
The 26th edition of NTCE aims to foster knowledge exchange, explore innovative ideas, share experiences, present research findings, and discuss cutting-edge technologies and approaches within the engineering sector.
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