Kampala-The Vice President of Uganda Jessica Alupo has revealed government plans to review the Engineers Registration Act-1969 and other related bills and policies such as the National Construction Industry Policy to tackle the challenges surrounding the engineering profession in the country.
Alupo was speaking on Friday, at the World Engineering day, a day observed to commemorate the work done by engineers and to encourage them for improvement and innovation.
Celebrations to mark the day were held in Kampala under the theme “Build Back Wiser – Engineering the future” They were graced by several Engineers from Uganda and beyond, including a number of women Engineers whose attendance coincided with celebration of the Women’s month.
Alupo praised the contribution and role played by Engineers in Uganda towards the development and transformation of the country.
“It has always been the role of Engineers, Technologists, technicians, artisans and craftsmen to plan, design, develop, operate and maintain the physical infrastructure, the technology and the systems that are required for our country to achieve the aspirations of Vision 2040, I salute you thus, for your contribution towards the country’s transformation of physical infrastructure, technology and systems”, the VP remarked, as Engineers gathered to mark the World Engineering Day today.
The Vice President noted that out of their profession and contribution, Uganda had increased paved roads to over 5000kms, increased electricity generation capacity from 600MW to 1800MW as well as an increase in several other areas. “All these achievements would not have been possible without the depth of the Engineering professionals.” She added
Alupo, however, decried the challenges faced, like low registration rates of Engineering professionals and unprofessional practices, but promised that the policy framework would be improved, especially, repealing of outdated laws. “We must enact new legislation where laws may be lacking” Alupo said.
The Vice President also recommended the work and contribution of the UPDF Engineering Brigade which she said, had come as a result of the firm stand by the President also Commander in Chief to profesionalise the army. “It is good to see the Engineering brigade here today, mixing, chatting and working with other Engineering professionals outside the barracks.
I urge you to keep working symbiotically with the rest of the engineers to drive the country forward”, the VP counseled.
Speaking at the same event, the chairman of the Engineers Registration Board- Eng. Dr.Isaac Mutenyo decried the existing gap on training and Skilling, and recommended for a mandatory structured training program. He further added that the Board had created a SACCO that seeks to creating a strong financial base for access to affordable capital, for Engineers.
Eng. Samson Bagonza, from Ministry of Works presented the Key note address themed” leveraging Engineering as a Catalyst to National Development” in which he said, Engineering and National Development go hand in hand with engineering being the enabler of National Development. “There cannot be meaningful economic growth in a country without the impact of engineering. Engineering has a direct relationship with development and National development is measured largely by the quality of engineering activities and level of infrastructure development
He recommended that the Engineering index should be adopted by the Planning Body as a key Development indicator in Uganda.
Present at the function was the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala who presented an award on behalf of the Engineers Registration Board to the Vice President.
