The Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) has broken an eight-year leadership vacuum by installing a new Board of Directors.
The long-awaited team was officially inaugurated today during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives boardroom.
The new Board will be chaired by Rtd. Gen. Ivan Koreta, a respected retired army officer with vast experience in national leadership.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State for Industry, Hon. David Bahati.
The Minister urged the newly constituted Board to avoid encroaching on the daily functions of management.
He reminded them that their core role is to provide strategic guidance that will enhance the Institute’s performance.
“Your responsibility is not to compete with management but to give direction and strengthen the mandate of UIRI,” Hon. Bahati said.
In his acceptance remarks, Rtd. Gen. Koreta expressed commitment to fostering teamwork with both his fellow Board members and the management team at UIRI.
He emphasized that the Institute must drive the nation forward through innovation, applied research, value addition, and technology development.
“We shall work together to build a strong, effective, and competitive industrial sector for Uganda,” Rtd. Gen. Koreta pledged.
The newly appointed Board comprises seven members with diverse backgrounds in leadership, policy, and industry.
The members include Rtd. Gen. Ivan Koreta as Chairperson, Jolly K. Kaguhangire as Member, Dr. Catherine Wandera as Member, and Magdalene Akite as Member.
Ramathan Ggoobi joins the Board as an Ex-Officio member, while Dr. Joshua Mutambi also serves as Ex-Officio.
Prof. Charles Kwesiga, who is also the Executive Director of UIRI, will serve as Secretary to the Board.
The appointment of this new Board is expected to breathe fresh energy into UIRI’s mission of supporting industrial growth and research in Uganda.
The move signals government’s renewed commitment to positioning UIRI as a key driver of industrialization and technological advancement in the country.
