Highly regarded by his peers and other professionals, Professor Kwesiga’s other extra-curricular activities include the following:

• President of WAITRO (World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations), an association of 160 member institutions from 70 countries. Focus of the association is to create synergies between its members in their work as Research and Technological Organisations, President from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016
• Pioneered the building of Uganda Petroleum Institute, Kigumba (UPIK), as Chairman of a Special Task Force (March 2009 – Nov 2016)
• Senior Presidential Advisor (on retainer) for Scientific Innovations, Uganda Government.
• Member of Board of Control of the Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka (SCSC) of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). Prof Kwesiga is also a member of teaching staff.
• Member and Vice Chairman of the Board for National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), a business arm of UPDF.
• Chairman, Board of Governors, Ntare School.

Under Prof Kwesiga leadership UIRI was voted a Centre of Excellence in R&D for East African Community (EAC).

Dr Kamugasha’s stewardship as the Head of the Technology Development Centre (TDC) saw UIRI scoop international awards for innovations under UIRI’s Instrumentation Unit including; The 2016 Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit Award in California, USA and The 2017 Innovation Prize for Africa event in Accra, Ghana for a novel and low-cost Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed (ECGF) intravenous infusion device.

He was also part of the strategic teams that led the conceptualization and implementation of multibillion industrial development projects such as, the US $5 million World Bank Millennium Science Initiative (MSI) Project Uganda, (2007-2010); the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK), (2010 – 2014) and the US $30 million Machining, Manufacturing and Industrial Skills Development Centre (MMISDC), (January 2020).

Dr Kamugasha has authored the National Intellectual Property (IP) Policy for the Republic of Uganda, the East African Community (EAC) Regional Intellectual Property (IP) Policy and the Africa Continental Guidelines for Institutional Intellectual Property (IP) Policy Formulation, with support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

He has registered several other international and academic publications and was the recipient of the British Petroleum (BP) Prize of the Institute while an undergraduate student at the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST), UK. He retains keen interest in academia as exemplified by his role as External examiner for the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana MPhil Program and membership of various high profile Committees such as the;

• National Science, Technology and Innovation Programme (NSTIP) Grant Evaluation Committee;
• Intellectual Property Management Committee, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO);
• National Science Week Inter-Agency Planning Committee;
• National Steering Committee, African Technology Policy Studies, Uganda Chapter; and
• National Intellectual Property Policy Development Project Steering Committee.

Dr Kamugasha retains extensive experience in: strategic planning; institutional development; project management; applied research and development; technology development, transfer and adaptation; industrial process design; environmental technology; innovation and intellectual property (IP) management; and consulting.

As a Ugandan female scientist with over 13 years of experience in industrialization and allied activities, her contributions to Uganda’s industrialization and the scientific community have earned her recognition and respect. In 2020, she was selected by H.E. Y.K. Museveni as a core member of the NRM Manifesto drafting committee in his pursuit of a science-led economy.

Joanita possesses great business acumen and a keen understanding of the business landscape. This quality has served her well in her role of ensuring that research outcomes have practical applications and commercial relevance.

With an unwavering dedication to excellence, Joanita's legacy is one of inspiring future generations of scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, and making a lasting impact on society through science. Her expertise, relentless drive, and transformative leadership have created an indelible mark, inspiring future generations of executives to dare, dream, and drive lasting impact.

Asuman is a highly accomplished and results-oriented Director of Product Development with over 23 years of experience providing strategic, and operational leadership including an extensive background in Research and Development, Analytical Chemistry, Quality Assurance, Product Development, Food fortification, Business/Project operations, and Production management. He sets and evolves the strategic direction for the Product Development department while nurturing a strong team of scientists to drive its execution.

Over the past 2 decades, Mr Asuman has registered the following achievements;

• UIRI Analytical laboratories (Chemistry and Microbiology) are recognized by UNBS. This indicates that the laboratories are competent and effective in performing tests as per the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
• UIRI Chemistry laboratory is a regional coordinating laboratory for the East Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) healthy community proficiency testing scheme (PTS) for the analysis of micronutrients in fortified foods.
• Successfully domesticated a wild anti-cancer medicinal mushroom called Ganoderma lucidum from the wild, now production of its value-added products like powders, oil, capsules, tablets, soaps, toothpaste, and human hair shampoos is in progress.
• Establishment of 12 textile skills development and production centers in Uganda.
• Developed and produced reusable (non-medical) masks with an efficiency of 93.4% as an intervention to prevent COVID-19.
• Established a state-of-the-art textile Materials and polymer testing Laboratory and a modern Garment manufacturing facility at Namanve.
• Developed 30 incubated businesses in food production (wine, potato, peanut butter, flour, and juices) and cosmetic production (namely: Livara, Amagara, and Itoto).

Mr Asuman Ratibu is a member of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) International which provides the platform, processes, and scientific rigor that enable industry and regulators to keep our food and environment safe.