In a significant move to bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial practice, the Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, On 30th April, 2026, led a delegation on an educational visit to the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDIC) at Rwebiteete, Kiruhura District.
The visit sought to align the university’s engineering programs with the national shift toward Competence-Based Education (CBE), ensuring that MUST graduates are equipped with the practical skills required to drive Uganda’s industrial transformation.
A cradle for Industrial Growth
Sitting on 45 acres, the EDIC Smart Manufacturing Centre is an initiative of the Government of Uganda. With civil works now 99% complete, the facility is poised to scale production across several sectors. Anthony Okimat Opolot, the Team Lead at EDIC, welcomed the MUST delegation, noting that the project, which commenced in 2019, has evolved into a Center of Excellence for manufacturing, engineering, and sustainable innovation.
“We have built a center to push the boundaries of design and rapid prototyping. Our goal is to provide high-quality, market-driven engineering products through advanced production technologies that drive sustainability,” Mr. Opolot stated during his opening remarks.
Safety and Technical Excellence
The visit commenced with a mandatory safety briefing led by Hilton Otim, the Safety Lead at EDIC. Demonstrating international safety standards, the briefing underscored the center’s commitment to maintaining a secure environment for high-scale, precision manufacturing.
Following the induction, the MUST team which included Dr. Bbosa Denis (Acting Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology) and Angella Nakato Muyingo (Senior Public Relations Officer) was taken on a guided tour of the facility’s specialized labs:
- CNC & Precision Machining: Turning digital designs into tangible, high-precision tools.
- 3D Printing & Prototyping: A hub for rapid innovation and design testing.
- Welding & Fabrication: Producing durable equipment for industrial applications.
- Foundry & Casting: Ensuring a steady supply of quality raw materials and cast components.
- Agricultural Mechanization: Developing homegrown solutions to boost the productivity of Ugandan farmers.
Bridging the gap to Commercialization
Reflecting on the visit, Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika commended EDIC for opening its doors for benchmarking. She emphasized that the facility provides a vital practical blueprint for MUST students.
“Mbarara University is a hub of numerous innovations. With the support and technical infrastructure of a center like EDIC, our projects will go beyond the research phase and move toward full-scale commercialization,” the Vice Chancellor remarked.
She further noted that such partnerships are essential for import substitution, reducing Uganda’s reliance on foreign technology by nurturing homegrown engineering talent and solutions.
Strengthening Human Capacity
The visit also highlighted the importance of retooling. Beyond machinery, EDIC invests in human capacity by training engineering professionals and technicians to operate, maintain, and improve complex systems sustainably.
The EDIC technical team, represented by Eng. Moses Agaba (Head of Production), Isaac Okia (M&E Lead), Marvin Alinaitwe (Technology Transfer), and Joyce Nalubega (Communications Lead), engaged with the MUST delegation on how to better integrate university research into the industrial supply chain.
As MUST continues to implement the new competence-based curriculum, this collaboration with EDIC stands as a cornerstone for producing industry-ready engineers capable of transforming the nation’s economic landscape.
Succeed We MUST.
