By CHIMPREPORTS
By Happy Christine
Today, Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Engineering Day.
The day was observed under the theme “Engineering for a sustainable world.”
Dr. Isaac Mutenyo, Chairperson of the Engineers Registration Board, took center stage, emphasizing the pivotal role of World Engineering Day in spotlighting the invaluable contributions of engineers in shaping the technological and scientific landscape. With 1,789 registered engineers in Uganda, Dr. Mutenyo underscored the urgent need to bolster this workforce to meet the burgeoning demands of the industry and propel Uganda towards a brighter future.
The pending Engineers Bill emerges as a beacon of hope, poised to usher in a new era of accountability and professionalism within the engineering fraternity. Dr. Mutenyo highlighted the bill’s provisions aimed at curbing malpractice and unethical conduct, laying the groundwork for a more transparent and efficient regulatory framework.
In tandem with legislative reforms, efforts are underway to fortify the national engineering database, a cornerstone in gauging the sector’s capacity and facilitating strategic planning initiatives. The proposed engineering index promises to provide valuable insights into the distribution and specialization of engineers, ensuring a more targeted approach to addressing workforce gaps and fostering competency development.
Despite strides in regulatory and data infrastructure, formidable challenges persist on the horizon. The shortage of engineers emerges as a pressing concern, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive strategies to attract and retain top talent within the country. Additionally, the need for professionalization and competency maintenance looms large, necessitating robust training and development programs to uphold industry standards.
On the frontiers of innovation and sustainability, stakeholders rally behind the imperative of environmental consciousness in engineering endeavors. Eng. Sam Bagonza, Chief Engineer in the Ministry of Works and Transport, emphasized the critical importance of integrating global environmental safeguards into project planning and execution, ensuring that infrastructure initiatives are not only economically viable but also environmentally sustainable.
In a bid to foster financial independence and resilience within the engineering community, Eng. Andrew Muwhezi proposed the establishment of an engineers’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) to provide a reliable source of affordable capital. This initiative aims to shield engineers from the vagaries of conventional banking institutions, empowering them to pursue ambitious projects and initiatives with confidence.
Echoing sentiments of empowerment and self-reliance, State Minister for Works, Musa Ecweru, applauded the dedication and ingenuity of local engineers while stressing the need for enhanced quality assurance systems. Minister Ecweru emphasized the pivotal role of regulations in safeguarding against substandard workmanship, affirming the government’s commitment to promoting excellence and accountability within the industry.
Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting engineering solutions for skills development, a cornerstone in realizing Vision 2040. Dr. Musenero underscored ongoing efforts to realign projects, programs, and processes across different sectors, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to fostering scientific and technological advancement.
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