By Mulengera Reporters
Prof. Charles Kwesiga, the Executive Director (ED) of Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), is set to receive a prestigious Pan-African award recognizing his contribution to education, research, innovation and human capital development.
He will be honoured with the African Teachers Festival (ATF) Founding Honours 2026 – Education Leadership Excellence Award for East Africa at a gala ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria, on August 21.
The recognition places the Ugandan industrialist, educator and researcher among distinguished Africans being celebrated for their contribution to shaping the continent’s education sector and developing the skills and knowledge needed for Africa’s transformation.
The festival, which runs from August 17 to 21 brings together educationists, researchers, innovators and other stakeholders to celebrate educational excellence while promoting innovation, collaboration and transformational leadership across Africa. Kwesiga’s award specifically recognizes his leadership in advancing education, research and innovation, as well as his contribution to human capital development and institutional capacity building.
The recognition comes after decades of work in Uganda’s education, industrial research and technology development sectors, where Kwesiga has emerged as one of the prominent voices in linking education and skills development to industrialisation.
As head of UIRI, he has overseen an institution whose mandate includes applied research, technology development and transfer, product and process development, business incubation and support to industries seeking to improve their production capabilities.
His career has combined academic and professional training with senior leadership roles in government, education, research and industry.
Professor Kwesiga is an industrial engineer by profession and has worked extensively in management, consultancy, education and entrepreneurship, across the world. His career has particularly focused on using science, technology and technical skills to address Uganda’s development challenges.
He played a leading role in the establishment and development of the Uganda Petroleum Institute in Kigumba, where he chaired a special task force responsible for steering the institution’s development during its formative years.
He has also held several national and international responsibilities in the fields of science, technology, research and education, including leadership roles in institutions involved in industrial and technological research.
At the international level, the Ugandan professor served as president of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO), an international network connecting research and technology organizations around the world, subsequently becoming President Emeritus.
His experience has also seen him participate in various government advisory and institutional assignments, including roles connected to scientific innovation, technical education and national skills development.
Beyond his work in industrial research, Kwesiga has maintained strong links with education and school governance. He has served as chairman of the Board of Governors of Ntare School in Mbarara and has participated in initiatives aimed at strengthening education and skills development.
His work has consequently placed him at the intersection of education, research, technology and industrialisation, sectors increasingly viewed as critical to Africa’s economic transformation.
The ATF recognition is expected to shine a wider continental spotlight on his contribution to developing institutions and systems that equip Africans with the skills required to drive innovation and economic growth.
His name will also be permanently entered on the African Teachers Festival Founding Honours Roll, which recognizes individuals regarded by the organizers as having made significant contributions to the future of education in Africa. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
