The cabinet on Monday approved the proposal to build a Satellite Station in Uganda, Judith Nabakooba, the minister of ICT and National Guidance said, adding that the initiative is aimed at “developing Uganda’s space capabilities in a well-coordinated and harmonized manner.”
The minister, who speaks for the cabinet, noted that the station will help the country to “leverage Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development”.
Some of the envisioned outcomes of the station include increased evidence-based technology information for planning and decision making, and improved space science and technology infrastructure to support research for the industrial development of the Country.
The satellite station will also facilitate the improvement of defense and security through improved capabilities for cross-border movement monitoring and surveillance for the country.
Officials say rolling out the station will see increased private sector investment in space science, research, and innovation, which will, in turn, boost Foreign Direct Investment and collaborations.
The development of the station is expected to improve national earth observation and remote sensing centers for the country.
According to Minister Nabakooba, the government will also need human resource to facilitate the development of space technology in the country hence creating more jobs.
Talks about the government investing in space science has been floating around for some years and a number of initiatives have since been undertaken.
For instance, in 2019 President Yoweri Museveni pushed for space technology research with Russia after a meeting with delegates from the Russian-Uganda Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Science and Technical Cooperation.
That same year, he also held another meeting with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, where they explored partnerships in areas of space science and technology during the 2019 Russia-Africa summit.
The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation at the 2019 World Science Day announced plans to launch a national space program with the launch of its first satellite in 2022. The government has previously said it’s been collaborating with countries like Egypt, Israel, Japan, and Russia on this project.