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| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Urban Uganda (Kampala, Gulu, Mbale, etc.) has been registering rapid grow. Unfortunately, most of this development is haphazard and leads to environment degradation. | Establishing trees that can be planted in home compounds and public places. They need to be safe (not easily uprooted by wind), suitable (unattractive to caterpillars and other insects that people easily fear), easy to plant. | This knowledge could lead to a business venture whose customers may include home owners, municipalities, churches, schools, business establishments, and so on. |
| Water shortage is becoming common in Uganda | The suitability of rain in Uganda for use as a source of (i) bottled drinking water (ii) water for sale to nearby households in times of shortages or scarcity (iii) water for growing perishable vegetables in off seasons (iv) water for car-washing business, etc. | Given that Uganda has two rain peaks in a year, it is possible to harvest rain water and use it as a business.
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| Decreasing land for animal grazing is a big challenge facing the livestock industry in Uganda. | Establishing nutritious and suitable pasture that easily grows in Uganda. | Growing pasture and preparing fodder may easily find market among (i) urban households practicing zero grazing (ii) farm owners during dry seasons (iii) cattle keeping communities in dry seasons where fodder may be exchanged for cows and the latter converted into money at an appropriate time. |
| Although small in size and fibrous, Ugandan (local) mangoes appear less susceptible to fruit flies. | Is it true that local mango varieties are less susceptible to fruit flies? If so, Why? | Gene(s) that confer resistance against fruit flies, if present, would become a sale-able item to the fruits’ industry in the developed world. |
| Cutting trees for charcoal burning destroys Uganda’s environment. | Search for alternative fuel sources. For example, how to make better and more affordable briquettes. | The knowledge constitutes a viable business venture in Uganda. |
| In a dry season, most houses in Uganda become too hot to stay inside during the day. Yet, home compounds, especially in urban settings, lack trees to provide shade for day resting. | In several parts of Uganda, well ventilated grass-thatched huts were constructed as places to stay in on a hot day. But they also served as drinking places or as places for receiving visitors. Thus, coming up with a modern version of such a shelter, which is appealing and affordable, can be an interesting architecture venture. | Such a product, marketed in varying sizes, can easily sale in urban Uganda. After-care services (e.g. re-roofing) may also be offered at a fee. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| In 2013, the local TV news showed Chinese nationals going to Mukono (Kayunga) to buy extra-sized caterpillars (each at UGX 2000/-). They are a delicacy. | Establishing the type of caterpillars that the Chinese want and why? Studying the possibility of collecting and rearing butterflies for eggs (from which those caterpillars emerge). | If eaten as a delicacy by Chinese, these caterpillars would constitute an important commercial item (like Nsenene), given that the population of the Chinese in Uganda is on the rise. Hatching eggs on a large scale would permit an export business of the caterpillars. |
| Several industries in the lake Victoria basin direct their waste products into the lake waters. The resulting pollution is endangering the lake, a prospect that will put many livelihoods at stake. | Establishing and tracking pollutants in the lake to a given factory discharge. Finding out how the discharge may be made safer before allowed into the lake or how the pollutant itself can be dislodged from the lake. | Knowledge (solution) generated can be sold to factory concerned, to environment/development agencies etc. |
| Sewage plants are key to human waste management in urban Uganda. But the associated bad smell undermines the value of surrounding properties. | Coming up with a way to contain the bad smell. | The knowledge can be sold to Municipalities, local governments, owners of surrounding properties, etc. |
| Costriga, a parasitic weed, subdues maize, sorghum, etc. Key among its adaptations include production of toxins and seeds that stay in dormancy for a long time. | How can this weed be effectively controlled? Can the toxins produced by costriga apply in solving a problem (s) elsewhere? | Knowledge generated can be sold to government, NGOs, churches, etc. with an interest in promoting agriculture in Uganda. It can reveal another plant-derived chemical(s) with a commercial application. |
| The soils in Uganda are increasingly getting depleted of nutrients. Yet, artificial fertilizers are expensive for the average farmer in Uganda. | Processing of animal waste into appropriate manure. Safety and effectiveness of human waste from sewage plants as fertilizers on farms in Uganda. | A business between non-subsistence farmers and sewage treatment plants or animal farms. |
| Small edible mushrooms (Obulala in Luganda) are popular in Uganda. Problem is, they are increasingly becoming rare to get. | Establishing how to grow obulala at household level.
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-This knowledge can be marketed as one of the ways to fight poverty in rural households. Knowledge on how to grow can lead to a business in mushroom growing, drying, packaging and selling for local and export markets. |
| Demand for laboratory mice (and other lab animals) is on the rise in Uganda, especially because of the emphasis on science practicals in secondary schools. | Assessing the market for laboratory animals in Uganda. Establishing the suppliers of the laboratory animals used in Uganda. Evaluating the viability of rearing laboratory animals in Uganda as a business. | Knowledge generated may lead to a vibrant business. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Mvule tree provides one of the most sought after wood. It however takes many years to mature. Accordingly, majority of people avoid planting them. | A faster growing variety of Mvule tree. Land owners willing to have Mvule trees planted on their land – and they pay for this service.
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When patented, fast growing Mvule tree can become an important source of income. |
| A number of homes in Uganda lack proper resting places, especially on a hot day. | Trees that are unlikely to be uprooted by storms or if they do, unlikely to cause substantive damage on home. But also unattractive to caterpillars and other feared insects. Find out how to grow them. | Can be marketed as shade providers in people’s compounds. Uganda’s middle class, building houses in their places of origin, would comprise an important market segment to consider for these trees. |
| Although papyrus swamps (e.g. Mpologoma in Pallisa District) are mono-culture in reality, they appear less vulnerable to pests and diseases. | Is it true papyrus vegetation is not vulnerable pests and diseases? If yes, why? | The answer may have an application in commercial agriculture. |
| Genetics and molecular biology, although poorly understood, are becoming a central theme in research and economic growth. | Develop educational materials to sensitize young people in secondary or primary schools. Develop educational programs to sensitize general public. | Materials can be sold to government, private schools, NGOs with an interest in education etc. You can get remunerated if the radio/TV program gets good audience. |
| During hand washing or bathing using pipped water, relatively clean water, which could serve another purpose, is lost down the drainage system. | Devise a way of collecting this water for flushing a toilet or urinal. | Technology can be patented and sold, earning one significant revenue. For it will save on water bills and hence appeal to households. Besides, it will promote sustainable use of the water resource and thus, appeal to conservationists. |
| Rural Uganda was characterized by various types of edible fruits, vegetables and wild foods. Although these foods had significant nutrients, they are systematically dying out, in part because of preference of foods from the developed or western world. An example of such a food is what baganda call “Ntuntunu”. | Establishing these foods and identifying their food value. Finding out how to grow them. |
If well marketed, these foods can give rise to a viable enterprise, especially among the well off Ugandans. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Lavender plant, a small aromatic shrub widely used in perfumery, can be grown for income generation at household level in Uganda.
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Can grow and sale dried crop or extracted oil in many ways. | |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Many people, especially from central Uganda, have grown up eating steamed food. Banana leaves, dry banana fibers, etc. used in steaming of food are becoming difficult to get, especially in urban settings. Crude alternatives e.g. sisal sacks, wood, etc, are being used. | Safety of crude alternatives in steaming food. Coming up with better, but still cheap, ways of steaming local foods in Uganda. | Better way(s) of steaming local foods may be marketed to (i) restaurants, catering units and hotels (ii) Kampala’s middle class grown up eating steamed local foods. |
| Processing and consumption of local brews has been left to the underprivileged class and rural folks. However, local brews are critical in cultural events such as introductory ceremonies. | Better and safer ways of processing local brews. Safer way to arrest fermentation, enabling the local brew stay at a desirable fermented stage for a sufficiently long period of time. |
Well processed local brew may have a substantive market within Uganda (especially for introductory ceremonies) and outside (Ugandans on Kyeyo). |
| Although Uganda is endowed with a lot of foods, it’s population suffers chronic malnutrition, especially children. | A nutritional package (s) that is locally appealing, affordable, tailored to nutritional requirements of children and having a relatively long shelf-life. | The nutritional package can be marketed to (i) schools (ii) NGOs, especially UNICEF (iii) hospitals, among others. |
| Pan-cakes are a snack made out of cassava flour sweetened using ripened bananas. Locally known as Kabalagala in most parts of Uganda, this snack has been a popular as way back as 1960s. Indeed, it is still popular in some sections of the local population, except that its quality has been grossly compromised. | Prolonging the shelf-life of Kabalagala. Making good quality but still affordable Kabalagala. Establishing the health advantages of eating Kabalagala instead of bread. |
This knowledge can lead to a vibrant business venture, specializing in the making and selling of Kabalagala. |
| Nutrition plays a critical role in the management of HIV/AIDS disease. | How the HIV/AIDS nutritional requirements can be met from locally available foods. | A safe and affordable nutritional package, targeting HIV/AIDS condition, can easily sale locally and elsewhere in the region. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| A lot of processed food on Ugandan market is either adulterated or has poor quality. | Developing a simple but effective taster for food quality. | Retailers of processed foods would provide a good market for this innovation, since it would ensure quality of what they are buying and also help in securing loyalty of their customers. |
| Maize, millet, rice, etc. is produced mainly on smallholder farms in Uganda. Here, the capacity to dry foods in a quality way is limited. By the time food arrives at the milling machines for processing, most of it is mixed with small stones, tiny soil lumps, bird drops, etc. | A local innovation that can help milling machines to remove non-food stuff (small stones, soil etc) shortly before grinding the grain food. | This innovation can be sold to food millers, coffee processors, etc. |
| Markets for pork are localised in Uganda and demand has peak seasons. | Surveying the local markets for pork, their sizes and peak seasons. Establishing the suppliers of pork and farm prices. |
This information would reveal opportunities for rearing pigs or for supplying pork as a middleman. |
| Minute edible fish (Mukene in Luganda) is a key ingredient in chicken feed. It is obtained from the lake. The source is however unsustainable, as Uganda’s experience of exporting fish has revealed. | A way of mass rearing Mukene. A way of mass rearing of Haplochromis species ( Nkege in Luganda), another small edible fish that was once endemic to but now almost depleted in Lake Victoria. | This knowledge can be owned and sold to government, Development Agencies, Conservation Agencies, Companies dealing in Chicken feeds, etc. |
| Housewives get upset when they find covered food in their kitchens was visited by small ants, cockroaches, etc during the night. | Designing a small and nice looking food cabin secured against entry by cockroaches, small ants, etc. | The product would have a good market out there, when well marketed. |
| Vegetables constitute an important source of micronutrients that is natural, culturally acceptable, easily applicable on food, etc. | Documenting vegetables with high levels of micro-nutrients. Establishing a combination(s) of vegetables that can provide adequate micro-nutrients. Formulation (preparation) of that combination(s) of vegetables for direct application on foods. |
Well labeled packages can easily sale in restaurants, in schools, in tertiary institutions, development agencies, etc. in Uganda and elsewhere in the region. |
| Wheat bread is one of the commonest retail items in Uganda. This bread often expires, and goes bad before it is sold. | Establishing a commercial use to which expired bread can be put. | This knowledge might give rise to a viable business. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Traditional rural Uganda was characterised by various types of edible fruits, vegetables and wild foods. Although these foods had tremendous nutrients in them, they are systematically dying out, in part because of preference of foods from the developed or western world. An example of such a food is what baganda call “Ntuntunu”. | Establishing these foods, identifying their food value, including medicinal value. Finding out how to grow them or their readily available source |
If well marketed, they can give rise to a viable enterprise |
| Life style diseases are on the rise in Uganda. Nutrition plays a key role in these diseases. | Develop an annual educational program to sensitize the general public about proper nutrition in Uganda’s context. Approach program managers of radios/TV and sell them the idea. |
The program can attract ads and sponsorship, from which you can negotiate a pay. |
| Occasionally, brewers, local producers, bring on the market alcohol that is contaminated with toxins. Yet, it is difficult to distinguish contaminated alcohol. | Developing a taster for safer or consumable alcohol. | It could be sold to National Bureau of Standards in Uganda and countries in the region |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| As the middle class grows in Uganda, so is the need to buy food. But food prices differ greatly across Uganda. | Develop an online service for food prices in Kampala and most other towns in Uganda. Market the service and continually update it. | Will attract adverts from agriculture and allied industries or businesses. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| The HIV-virus weakens the body’s defense mechanism leaving the person vulnerable to all sorts of opportunistic infections. HIV infection elicits production of immune regulators such prostaglandins. | There is a physiological mechanism that rapidly eliminates prostaglandins from circulatory blood. (i) The question is, why did evolution go all the way to equip our circulatory system with prostaglandin eliminating mechanism? (ii) More importantly, could it be that the HIV-virus disables this mechanism and in so doing, kick-starts a process that eventually subdues the body’s immune system? | Knowledge generated, if affirmative, may provide leads to development of effective chemotherapeutic agents against HIV infection. |
| Pregnancy is an exciting but challenging health condition. Loss of appetite, a longing for particular foods or semi-foods, vomiting, frequent spitting, etc. make pregnancy a challenging condition. It was partly to manage these challenges that traditional Africa came up with herbs for pregnancy. | What impact(s) do traditional herbs used by pregnant women eventually have on children? This research question can be answered by studying mothers who take traditional herbs during pregnancy, finding out which herbs were taken, and the children (or now adults) they produced. | Knowledge on “harmful” herbs will be relevant to public health authorities. Knowledge on herbs advantageous and “harmless” may have entrepreneurial implications. |
| Allergy appears more prevalent in the developed world, say USA, than in an underdeveloped one, say Uganda. But even within Uganda, allergy appears more common in the well to do families. | Inadequate exposure to mother nature during one’s childhood is one plausible explanation for allergy. One way to investigate this school of thought would be to compare and contrast antigen profiles (not disease associated) that babies in well to do settings and babies from poor rural settings are exposed to. | Implicated antigens may provide important clues in the prevention and management of allergy. |
| A concentrated solution of rock salt (impure salt) may have anti-fungal properties. It is used by local people to treat skin fungal infections such as ringworm. | Validating anti-fungal properties in rock salt solution. Identifying and isolating the active anti-fungal ingredients in rock salt solution, if present. Establishing the toxicity and structure of the isolated active ingredient(s), and how the structure may be re-configured to enhance potency. | Knowledge may lead to novel drug(s) that has wide application in the treatment of fungal infections. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Many babies, some from affluent families, have a longing to eat soil and related soil dirt. | Why do these children eat soil? Is it childhood curiosity or is it something that goes beyond childhood curiosity? If eating soil is something beyond childhood curiosity, could it be nature’s attempt to render the child’s immune system more robust? Alternatively, could it be an attempt to correct nutritional deficiencies? If so, which nutritional elements are missing? | An affirmative answer towards strengthening the immune system may have important implications in protection against certain diseases, such as the autoimmune conditions.
An affirmative answer towards nutrition could lead to development of specific food products for sale to parents with babies who are frequent soil-eaters. |
| Western medicine, as taught and practiced in Uganda, fosters contempt for traditional medicine. The latter is looked at as something primitive and in the passing. Yet, majority of people in Uganda have been using and continue to use traditional medicines. | Is traditional medicine entirely unscientific? If it is not entirely unscientific, how can it be developed? i.e. what can be discouraged and what can be improved upon? | Acceptance of traditional medicines by trained health professionals will lead to development of new, safe and effective health care products.
Verifying traditional medicines and traditional health care practices that work, and integrating them into the national health care system, would render the latter more robust in serving Uganda’s population as a whole. |
| First AID Kits are important in primary health care. Yet, in many places in Uganda where First AID kits are needed (schools, public transport, students residences, etc.), they are either lacking or present but empty. | Establishing the recommended items in a First AID boxes. Finding out the most critical items in the First AID Box and which can be afforded in Uganda. | The information may turn you into a maker, supplier and re-filler of First AID kits in Uganda |
| Despite sensitization by the Ministry of Health, many mothers in Uganda continue to be give birth under supervision of traditional birth attendants. | Could it be that maternal mortality in Uganda is largely due to expectant mothers going to traditional birth attendants? If this is not true, might it then be possible to improve on the knowledge and skills of traditional birth attendants? | A comparison of maternal mortality in government hospitals, healthcare centers, private clinics and traditional birth attendants would be very informative to policy formulation in Uganda’s health sector.
In helping government improve (instead of demonize) traditional birth attendants may sale you within Uganda and elsewhere in most of Africa. |
| People value and want to have white-looking teeth. Over time however, people’s teeth get stained from colored foodstuffs, drinks, smoking etc. | Powdered charcoal is thought to enhance the white appearance of teeth. Can powdered charcoal, if used for a given period, lead to improvement in teeth appearance? If true, would the type of charcoal used (tree type) matter? Is it even safe? | This information can lead to development of dental care product(s) with a high commercial value. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Onchocerciasis is a human disease caused by a filarial worm, Onchocerca volvulus. This worm is transmitted to man by biting black flies. Stunted growth (Nakalanga) and epilepsy have been documented in onchocerciasis condition. Recently, the nodding disease syndrome is thought to be linked to O. volvulus infection. | What might be the relationship between O. volvulus infection and stunted growth or epilepsy (or even nodding disease)? Given that O. volvulus can go up to the brain, it is possible that the neurological tissue, very sensitive to oxygen and food supply, is out competed by the parasite for essential food nutrients? This question is supported by literature indicating that people with O. volvulus infection exhibit lower levels of essential fatty acids in circulation. This and other possible research questions need proper investigation. | Knowledge generated, if affirmative, may provide important leads to (i) proper management of child growth (ii) prevention of the epilepsy condition and possibly, nodding syndrome. |
| Mosquito nets have become the main tool for malaria control in Uganda. But mosquitoes often enter the mosquito net itself, even if it has no holes. These mosquitoes are difficult to kill, especially when a baby is sleeping inside the net. | Developing a small hand gun, or another appropriate innovation, that can be used to easily get rid of mosquitoes inside a mosquito net or inside a room ventilated against mosquito entry. | Can sell extensively in Uganda and beyond |
| Several skin treatment lotions or jelly on the market are not effective, as stated in their promoters and manufactures. | Analyze the effectiveness of locally made body lotions or jelly in the treatment of fungal, viral or bacterial skin infections. Coming up with ingredients that could be added to enhance the effectiveness of these products in treating or correcting skin infections. | These ingredients, if safe, can be sold to companies making skin jellies or lotions at a recoverable cost. Alternatively, they can be use develop new body products. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Flu or common cold is a viral infection that disturbs, especially young children; leads to misuse of medicines arising parent’s desperation to see their children free of the infection. | Establish locally applicable practices that would help children recover quickly from flu or common cold. Develop a radio/TV programs to sensitize parents. | Programs would attract big audience, especially in flu/common cold season. |
| The increasing number of universities in Uganda implies competition. | Knowledge on criteria used to rank universities world-wide (webometrics). Knowledge on criteria used to judge a good graduate in Uganda. | Knowledge can lead to establishment of a consultancy on tertiary education in Uganda. |
| Although Uganda’s population is overburden with diseases, majority of these diseases are preventable. | Establish diseases in Uganda that can be prevented and how. | Knowledge can give rise to (i) radio/TV programs that will attract good audience (ii) website that, if well marketed, can attract adverts. |
| In Uganda, salons are visited weekly by over a million people for services. Effective disinfectants are key in providing successful hair services. | Establish disinfectants used in salons. Come up with branded disinfectant(s) that carry unquestionable effectiveness. Market the product in such away that customers prefer salons with it. | Efforts can lead to a viable business. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Although flu or common cold are rarely fatal, they cause, among other discomforts, near blockage of the nose by mucus. This is especially true among infants or babies. | Coming up with a “tiny pump”, able to unblock a baby’s nose, while at the same time leaving the nose undamaged. | If developed and approved by relevant regulator, this pump can give rise to a business enterprise. |
| The HIV/AIDS challenge is associated with the need to protect health workers while at work. | Uganda is endowed with a very rich biodiversity. Within this biodiversity may be plants/microorganisms producing novel anti-HIV compounds. If found, and their toxicity profile studied, these natural compounds can be used in the making of anti-HIV lotion (s). | A natural anti-HIV lotion, if approved by relevant authority, may have wide application (market) in hospitals, salons, first aid kits, traditional birth attendants, and so on. |
| Malaria is the major cause of death in Uganda. It is transmitted by blood-seeking mosquitoes. The prospect of eliminating mosquitoes in Uganda is still distant in the future. | Various tools (sprays, mosquito nets, house screens, repellants, lotion etc) have been developed that kill or ward off blood-seeking mosquitoes. Tools efficient at eliminating or minimizing mosquitoes in houses, but while at the same time more locally compatible, are still needed. | Such a tool (s), once developed, can easily sale in Uganda and elsewhere in the region. |
| Jiggers, it is sad say, are still a problem in the 21st century Uganda. | Within Uganda’s rich biodiversity (plants or microorganisms) may be compounds effective against jiggers. If found, and their toxicity profile investigated, such compounds can be used in developing a natural anti-jigger solution or lotion. | A natural anti-jigger lotion may have a substantive market in Uganda and elsewhere in the region. The product may target tourists visiting the rural areas, community based NGOs, government anti-jigger campaigns, health centers and the general public, among others. |
| For a long time, Black jack (Bidens pilosa) has been used by local communities in Uganda and beyond for protection against wound sepsis. Literature shows presence of antimicrobial agents in black jack, which is one of the commonest and most abundant weeds in Uganda. | Establishing whether soil type, plant part, ecological setting etc. influence levels of antimicrobial agents produced by B. pilosa. | Knowledge generated would provide clues on the optimal way of harvesting natural antimicrobial agents from B. pilosa. These natural extractions are ingredients for value addition in making of (i) anti-bacterial herbal soaps (ii) versaline for use in saloon (iii) liquid soaps for use in hospitals and so on. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| In 2013, one of the local TV new channels reported that a student of Kyambogo University, together with his girl friend, died while asleep in a poorly aerated room with a burning charcoal stove inside. Similar cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning have been reported before. | Developing an alarm that is sensitive to accumulation of carbon monoxide . Developing an alarm that is sensitive to accumulation of of methane, i.e. inflammable gas. | Detector of carbon monoxide can sale extensively in Uganda, given that many urban people cook on charcoal and often from inside the poorly ventilated rooms.
Detector of methane can be sold to mining companies, to municipalities with damping sites, to sewage treatment plants, to Environmental Agencies, etc. |
| Uganda’s industry is still in the nascent stage of development. Nearly all its spare parts are imported – just like is the case with vehicles. | Identifying spare parts for industry or autos in Uganda that can easily be fabricated locally. Mobilizing skills in places like Katwe to make or fabricate the identified spare parts. | Become a maker or supplier of spare parts for industry in Uganda (and eventually beyond).
Become a maker or supplier of spare parts for autos in Uganda (and eventually beyond). |
| Because of poverty, most rural households in Uganda use small paraffin lamps ( Tadooba in Luganda) for lighting at the night. These lamps, because of partial combustion of fuel, pose health risks to inhabitants of the household. | Computing/modeling the health risk(s) involved in the daily use of Tadooba for a year or more. Developing an improved version of Tadooba with less health risks. | Constitutes a viable business, especially when a subsidy is secured from government or a relevant Development Agency to produce the improved version of the lamp at a cheap price. |
| Mosquito nets have become the main tool for malaria control in Uganda. But often, one finds mosquitoes in the mosquito net itself, even if it has no holes. These mosquitoes are difficult to kill, especially when a baby is sleeping inside the net. | Developing a small hand gun or another appropriate tool that can be used to get rid of mosquitoes inside a mosquito net or inside a room ventilated against mosquito entry. | Can sell extensively in Uganda and beyond. |
| Earthworms have the ability to regenerate certain parts of their bodies, when cut. | What biological factors are involved in regeneration of tissues of earth worms? | Some of these biological factors, or their chemical structures, may have important applications in the rapidly expanding biotechnology-based economy. |
| Uganda’s warm and humid climate provides a good environment for microorganisms to evolve, grow and flourish. |
(i) Isolation of bacteria or other microorganisms superior at biodegrading organic matter. (ii) Characterizing and studying the superior micro-biodegradors. (iii) Isolating gene(s) and protein(s) involved in the superior biodegradation. (i) Isolating local microorganisms thriving in oil-polluted environments in Uganda. (ii) Studying the isolated microorganisms for capacity to degrade oil or oil-related products. |
Identified organisms or their products may be marketed to municipalities with damping sites, sewage treatment plants, bio-gas producers, farmers with manure decomposing sites etc. The genes or their products may be patented. They would sell worldwide to industry, research, etc. |
| Some bacteria isolated from decomposing rubbish produce pigment dyes. | Might dyes from bacteria have advantages over current dyes used in fabrics, house paints, etc.? | Knowledge generated, if affirmative, may have a commercial application; cell culture techniques would allow commercial production of bacteria derived dyes. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| One of the biggest challenges facing the housing industry in Uganda is the lack of integrity among brick layers and other construction workers. | Developing a taster to enable home buyers or owners of buildings establish the quality of their houses after construction (i.e. right mix of cement, sand, etc.). | The tester – if simple, effective and easy to use – would have a big market in Uganda and beyond. |
| Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is becoming a part of Uganda’s education. | Developing a soft ware or an application that can improve information flow from administration to staff or students and vice versa. | The application can be sold to schools and other educational institutions. |
| There were watches, once upon a time, powered by manually generated energy – stored in form of spring-coil. Can the same concept be borrowed to come up with ways of charging phones, torches, etc., in view of the increasing need for cleaner energy? | Finding ways in which manually applied energy can be converted into chemical energy. | This knowledge can be used in developing a wide range of appliances suitable for rural life or homes with unreliable power supply. |
| Many skin lotions or jelly on the market are not effective, as stated in their promotions and marketing. | Analyze the effectiveness of locally made body lotions or jelly in the treatment of skin infections. Coming up with ingredients that could be added to enhance the effectiveness of these products in treating or correcting skin infections. | These ingredients, if safe, can be sold to companies making skin lotions at a recoverable cost. Alternatively, they can be use develop new skin protective lotions. |
| Daily, men across Uganda go to salons to have their hair cut and hair is discarded into a rubbish-bin. | Can the cut human hair be used in selecting microorganisms that are superior at decomposing organic matter or microorganisms with capability to degrade plastic-like materials? Can the cut hair be used to select microorganism that produce products relevant to human health or microorganisms that are protective in hair? |
Any of this knowledge, if affirmative, may have a commercial value. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Drivers are often disturbed by people calling when they are driving. This equally applies to people driving personal cars. Although ear-phone receivers enable someone to receive calls with both hands on the steering wheel, mind interference due to phone-calls remains a problem. | Developing a software or a feature that can caution, whoever is calling, that the other person is driving. That he or she should proceed to make the call only when it is absolutely necessary. | Can easily be sold to mobile phone manufacturers. |
| Uganda has registered a phenomenon increase in the number of vehicles on its roads. But nearly all these vehicles are second hand cars. Many start developing mechanical problems soon after. The number of vehicles in Bad Mechanical Condition (BMC) are therefore steadily rising in Uganda. | Prospect of buying vehicles which are in BMC, dismantle and sale them as scrap. Viability of selling spare parts obtained from dismantled vehicles in BMC. | Setting up a recycling garage dealing in abandoned or soon to be abandoned (BMC) vehicles. |
| Passengers in buses or mini-buses often find themselves in conflict while traveling; open window means fresh air to some while others complain of inconveniencing wind current. | Design windows or wind screens that restrict wind current to passenger(s) in a given seat(s) | The design(s), if viable, can sale to the lucrative auto industry |
| Animals, unlike humans, rarely suffer tooth decay. | Does literature support this view? If so, why? This question applies especially to teethed-animals whose diet is rich in sugars and other carbohydrates. | Findings could be sold to the tooth-paste making industry. |
| Paper money is likely to stay for a long time, especially in developing country like Uganda. Once in circulation however, it’s subjected to abuses such as ink-writings, unnecessary exposure to dirt, systematic accumulation of dirty from people’s hands. Yet withdraw and replacement of the notes by the central bank is expensive. | Coming up with a cleansing substance that can clear ink and dirty off the money notes, without compromising significantly quality and appearance. | Can be sold to central bank in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Mobile phones have become as inescapable part of people’s daily lives. They can be used for identification of people in cases of accidents, loss of phone, etc. | Designing an easy provision on key board for contact of one’s key relative. | A sleek design could easily sale to phone-making companies. |
| Going out to dance at a party or disco hall can frustrate, especially these days with so many dance-songs out there. Disc jockeys (DJs) often end up playing music for themselves. | Developing an on-line application through which people in dance hall, via smart phones, can select dance-songs of their choice. Then the application ranks them according to votes and informs the DJ accordingly. | The application will sale in Uganda and beyond. |
| Local governments, big companies, universities etc. are increasingly developing smaller administrative units that are geographically distant from one another. Overall management of these administrative units is a challenge. | Setting up video-conferencing facilities that can be deployed in Uganda according to, and whenever there is, need. | Can cut costs and time spent in travel to attend meetings, seminars, etc. Especially this aspect can be used to market the facilities for hire. |
| In Uganda, nearly all hospital equipment, clinical benches, laboratory machines, most beds, etc. are imported. When they break down, repair becomes a big challenge; especially, since regional hospital workshops are hardly functional. | Establishing a workshop that can repair some, or all, items used in health-care facilities in Uganda. | Will have wide range of clients; numerous private clinics, many private hospitals, church-based hospitals, and eventually public hospitals. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Drivers, especially for the heavy-load distance carriers, steal spare parts of the vehicles and replace them with old ones. Similarly, several mechanics remove good spare parts from a car and resale them to the very car owner or to owners of other cars. | Develop a way to secretly mark key spare parts and in such a manner that the markings are not visible to naked eye; visualized after exposure to some treatment or UV-light. | The application can have a wide market. |
| In the dry season, people sweat too much, deal with the problem of dust, drying of leaps, etc. This is noticeable especially among traffic policemen, taxi drivers, boda boda drivers, etc. | Design a safe disposable wet tissue/wiper that can be used to clean and restore softness on one’s face. Improve the package with a provision of a small cream to preserve softness on one’s face. | Can sale extensively, if well marketed. |
| Accidents are caused largely by drivers when they are overtaking or turning. | Develop technology or (an GPS-driven online application for a driver) that can help drivers make better decisions when overtaking or turning. | The application can be sold to govt., municipalities, car manufacturers, etc. |
| Piped water supplies have a challenge of leakages underground or in obscure places. Sometimes, leakages occur in open places but on weekends or in the night when water supply staff are off duty. | A system or an application able to detect water leakage. | Can be sold to water supply cooperates in Uganda and beyond, businesses that consume a lot of water, owners of flat condominiums, etc. |
| Several people/businesses/banks keep money in safes or in sacks in homes. Such money is prone to destruction by fungal (mould) growth. | Protecting (or disinfecting) huge sums of paper money from attack by moulds and other bio-destroying microorganisms. | Can become a viable business, provided it upholds honesty and integrity with its customers. |
| Microsoft-word users such as office secretaries often prepare and send off new letters basing on older letter templates. | An application that can proof read one’s letter to exclude mistakes arising from use of old letter templates. | Can sale to Microsoft company. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Uganda is blessed with a rich cultural diversity that, unfortunately, is destined for erosion over time. Some of the explanatory factors include ‘blind’ westernization, persistent distrust between politicians and cultural leaders, rapid urbanization, etc. | Establishing aspects of Uganda’s cultures worth preservation and a cost effective way to preserve them. | This knowledge could lead to establishment of an attractive site for tourists. |
| Uganda has one of the highest birth rates in the world. This makes Uganda a good market for affordable infants’/children’s products. | Evaluating the market potential for infants’ or children’s products in urban Uganda, and establish what can be produced locally and more importantly, competitively. | This may include (i) designing babies cloths, pampers, etc. with a local “flavor” (ii) designing play-things for kids (iii) coming up with an appropriate local food packages for children, among others. |
| Most of Uganda’s middle class is Christian. Many celebrate Christmas by erecting decorated Christmas trees, often artificial, in their living rooms. But a natural Christmas tree can become a preferred option to majority of these people. This also applies to embassies, hotels, Bars, NGOs and companies. Problem is, good natural Christmas trees are in short supply. | Assessing the market potential for the natural Christmas tree in Kampala and other major towns in Uganda.
Establishing the suppliers of natural Christmas trees and prices charged. |
This information may lead to a viable business in growing and or supplying Christmas trees |
| Over 80% of Ugandans still use plant-based medicines. This includes many people in urban areas. Yet, plant medicines are increasingly becoming difficult to get, especially in urban areas. | Establishing the commonly used plant medicines by urban in Uganda. Finding out how these plant medicines can be grown and or looked after. | This information can be used to lobby urban authorities or plant conservation agencies to provide land and funds to grow plant medicines. Sustainability of this enterprise may be achieved by charging a small fee to pick the plant medicines. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Newly born babies often cause sleepless nights to parents, because of ‘pain’ associated with their tender digestive tract. The pain often arises from gas swallowed while breastfeeding. Various health products are on the market to mitigate the problem. But these products are expensive to the average Ugandan. | Document traditional preparations used to mitigate gut-associated pain in newly born babies. Study their content, toxicity and efficacy. | Knowledge generated can lead to production of competitive health products for relieving gut-associated pain in newly born babies. |
| The hospitality industry (lodges, guest houses, travelers Inn, motels and hotels) is one of the key sectors driving Uganda’s growth. Bathing soap is probably the commonest non-food item consumed by this industry. This soap is used and discarded when it is more than 90 percent intact. | A way of collecting, disinfecting and re-packaging used soap from the hospitality industry in Uganda. | Safe to use recycled bathing soap can be sold to schools, orphanages, hospitals, etc. |
| Unemployment is high among young people in Uganda. It is worse among the unskilled or uneducated youth. | Challenges in Uganda that can be addressed with productive deployment of redundant youth. Examples may include planting of vegetation across gullies to stop soil erosion or silting of rivers, digging drainage along public roads, controlling the water hyacinth at landing sites, collection of polythene or plastics from the environment, etc. | A well defined cause, backed by a good strategy of deploying redundant youth, may win funding from municipalities, local governments, central governments, churches, development agencies, etc. |
| The Ministry of Education and Sports wants to roll out a new curriculum that will require mass provision of inputs for vocational training in secondary schools. | Establishing training inputs that schools will require after adopting the new curriculum. Alternatively, inputs required in skilling young people in Uganda. Of these inputs established, what is it that you can prepare yourself to produce or supply at competitive prices. | Supplier or producer of inputs for vocational training. |
| Uganda has registered a phenomenon increase in the number of vehicles on its roads. But nearly all these vehicles are second hand cars; many start developing mechanical problems soon after. Thus, the number of vehicles in Bad Mechanical Condition (BMC) are increasing in Uganda. | Prospect of buying vehicles which are in BMC, dismantle and sale them as scrap. Viability of selling spare parts from dismantled vehicles in BMC. | Setting up a recycling garage dealing in abandoned or soon to be abandoned vehicles. |
| In Uganda, the liberalization policy opened up the education sector. This has led to setting up of many primary and secondary schools that are private. Many more are set to come up, owing to Uganda’s rapidly growing population and the upcoming oil economy. | Establishing suppliers of uniforms, sweaters, budges, stocks etc. to schools. Finding out the quality and prices at which these items are supplied. | Information may reveal opportunities to supply good quality school items at competitive prices. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Many houses coming up in Uganda have flash toilets. These toilets require frequent repair, especially with regard to the water-flashing system. | Identifying components that make up the flashing system in the water toilets. Establishing components that can be made locally and at competitive prices. Mobilising the time-tested artisans in Katwe or other areas into making these components. |
Become a maker or a supplier of spare parts for flashing toilets. |
| The National Museum, largely because of poor funding, is limited in terms of capturing and presenting a detailed picture of different cultural entities in Uganda. | Compiling adequate information on cultural entities in Uganda, i.e. from books, museums, oral tradition, etc. Use the information obtained to develop an online museum. The online museum can be promoted for use in secondary schools, tertiary institutions and general public. | May be accessed locally/internationally at a fee. Alternatively, it can be accessed free and generate income through advertising, targeting companies interested in young people in Uganda. |
| For ages, wooden carts have been used to carry people’s goods or luggage in Kampala and elsewhere in Urban Uganda. But these carts have remained the same (un-improved) ever since they came on scene, probably before Uganda’s independence. | Developing manually powered carts (improved version) that are able to carry more weight at consumption of lesser energy. | Can be used in agriculture, in rubbish collections, in carrying people’s luggage in towns, ferrying things within schools or institutions, etc. |
| Most rural households in Uganda, because of poverty, use small paraffin lamps (Tadooba in Luganda) for lighting at night. These lamps, because of their partial combustion of fuel, poses health risks to inhabitants in the households. | Computing or modeling the health risk(s) involved in the daily use of Tadooba for months or years. Developing an improved version of Tadooba with less health risks. |
Constitutes a viable business, especially when a subsidy is secured from government or a Development Agency to produce the improved version at a cheaper price. |
| Children who have left the crawling stage have a problem of making “pup” (feaces) away from the mother’s or caretaker’s eyesight, and then play with it. Sometimes they even put it in their mouths. Yet the use of pampers on a daily basis is not only expensive but many mothers think it is not a good care practice for their children, especially baby boys. | Designing a trouser or short pant that, when put on, can hold a child’s “pup” from dropping out, except in rare cases when it is overly watery (diarrhea). | “Securing” ownership of this design, say through a trade mark, can give rise to a viable business. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| An appealing and effective meas of reaching out to Uganda’s increasingly big population. | Finding out how to show videos or films in rural/peri-urban areas free of charge – outside working hours. | Can attract money in form of adverts or sponsorship from businesses, politicians, churches, etc. |
| Breast-feeding mothers need to protect against milk sipping out the breast on its own. | Establishing the gear/bras that mothers use. If imported, can they be made locally and cheaply? | Information could give rise to a viable business. |
| Prisons in Uganda and beyond have a challenge of places of convenience, where prisoners can ease themselves. | Design and develop a hygienic portable latrine/toilet for use in confinements. | Can be sold to prisons Dept. in Uganda and in surrounding countries. |
| Uganda a distinct hot-dry season during which people’s lips sometimes crack. | Learn about lip-sticks/cream used to protect against cracking of lips in winter. Develop a parallel version for use in a hot-dry season. | The product may easily sale–after an effective marketing. It can even be exported to surrounding countries. |
| Universities are struggling with the challenge of accessing funds to conduct research. | Marketing ideas from universities to government or private sector for funding. | Levy fee or commission can become a source of income. |
| Moral degeneration in Uganda is reaching worrying levels. | Establish a business service with regard to (i) nurturing in children good morals (ii) helping marriages survive (iii) imparting ethics and good conduct in professionals. | Quality services would secure a sizable market for this business. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Although unemployment among the educated young people is high in Uganda, getting satisfactory workers is a challenge. | Head-hunting talents in various fields. Marketing talent to private companies, organizations, churches, schools, etc. | Creation of a service-business venture |
| Various innovations in Universities/research institutions end up on shelves. | Establishing these innovations. Assess their market viability. Market them to private sector locally and elsewhere in the region. | Creation of a service-business venture |
| Important (innovative) childhood plays of the past are dying out due to neglect, innovations in ICT, rural-urban migration, etc. | Revisit the childhood plays of the past and select most innovative ones. Set up a children’s park–dedicated to, among other things, childhood plays of the past. | Unique attraction site for children; parents would pay for their children to access the site. |
| Uganda’s middle class is expanding. Part of this population keeps on shifting from one town/place to another. Others travel and go for further studies. There is a constant need to shift or store people’s properties. | Establish the nature of properties that middle class in Uganda seek safe custody of. | A business offering services of property relocation and/ safe custody of properties |
| After liberalization of Uganda’s transport sector, competition among bus operators rose and it has remained high. | Devise strategies for bus campaniles to glue customers. For example, using a given bus a number of times/month would earn one credit units, which eventually translate into a free ticket(s). | Selling the strategies to bus companies at a fee. Implementing the strategies would create employment, while at the same time boosting the competitiveness of the bus company. |
| Challenge | Research Implications | Entrepreneurial Potential |
| Namugongo martyrs shrine and surrounding areas have enormous tourist and business potential, which is yet to be fully realized. | Establishing gaps in the tourist and business potential of Namugongo. | Knowledge can led to formation of business(es) |
| In order to grow the film industry in Uganda, Uganda Communication Commission directed media houses in Uganda to include in their programs films with local content. Good quality films with local content are however still few. | Find out whether you have a talent in writing, in case you do not know, by writing short piece of a scene and have it critiqued. If you have a talent, proceed to write good stories and sell them to producers or become a producer yourself. | May become an important source of your income. |
| Parliament of Uganda continue to pass laws that have a great bearing on the general population, yet the public remains largely ignorant of them. An example is the HIV-Act. | Developing a radio/TV program to educate the general public about these new laws – and their meaning. | If well developed, the program will attract listeners, who in turn will attract ads from which you can earn a commission. |