Frequently Asked Questions

The Uganda Industrial Research Institute, commonly known as UIRI, is a Government of Uganda parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

UIRI promotes industrial development through applied research, technology development, value addition, product development, machinery fabrication, process design, business incubation, skills development and support to small and medium enterprises.

UIRI's mandate is to undertake applied research and related activities that contribute to the rapid industrialisation of Uganda.

The Institute develops and acquires appropriate technologies, supports product and process development, promotes value addition and helps translate research and innovation into practical industrial applications.

UIRI's mission is to catalyse the socio-economic transformation of Uganda and the region through enhanced technology use.

UIRI's vision is to be a model institution and centre of excellence for the incubation of industry, while pioneering self-financing research and development that advances technology development in Uganda and the region.

UIRI undertakes applied research for product development, provides platforms for innovation and science-based industrial applications, develops and acquires appropriate technologies, promotes value addition to local raw materials, supports a competitive industrial sector, bridges academia, government and the private sector, and supports commercialisation of research and development results.

UIRI's activities include value addition, product development, process design and improvement, technology sourcing and adaptation, machinery design and fabrication, pilot processing plants, applied research, analytical laboratory services, business incubation, technology transfer, SME outreach, practical skills training and industrial technical support.

UIRI works with entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups, SMEs, manufacturers, researchers, students, universities, government institutions, community organisations, development partners and members of the public.

Access depends on the nature of the request, applicant eligibility, available facilities, technical requirements and institutional capacity.

Write a formal request addressed to the Executive Director, Uganda Industrial Research Institute.

The letter should state the applicant's name, organisation where applicable, purpose of the request, service or department of interest, proposed dates or duration where relevant, support expected from UIRI, and the applicant's telephone number and email address.

Jobs, apprenticeships and internships should be delivered to the Human Resource Office at UIRI Nakawa Campus.

Business incubation, training and collaboration requests should be delivered to Reception at UIRI Nakawa Campus. Procurement bids must follow the submission point stated in the official procurement notice or bidding document. Laboratory samples should be submitted through the laboratory or receiving point communicated by UIRI.

Yes. Requests for employment, internship, training, incubation, collaboration and related institutional support should be made through a formal letter addressed to the Executive Director.

This allows UIRI to receive, register, review and forward the request to the responsible department.

No. Every request is considered according to its relevance to UIRI's mandate, applicant eligibility, institutional priorities, technical feasibility, available facilities, staff capacity and the capacity of the responsible department.

Applicants should follow the submission method communicated by UIRI for the specific opportunity. Where no online procedure has been officially provided, a signed request should be physically delivered to the appropriate receiving office at the Nakawa Campus.

Applicants may follow up through the office where the application was submitted. After receipt and consideration, UIRI may contact the applicant by phone or email regarding the outcome.

Business incubation is a structured programme through which UIRI assists promising entrepreneurs, innovators and early-stage enterprises to develop competitive and sustainable industrial businesses.

Support may include access to equipment and facilities, technical mentorship, product development, laboratory services, practical training, business planning, market development and other approved business support services.

UIRI provides in-house incubation, where an entrepreneur operates from designated UIRI facilities with close technical supervision, and virtual incubation, where an entrepreneur works away from UIRI while receiving customised guidance, mentorship and business advisory support.

Entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups and SMEs may apply if their product, process or technology has potential for value addition, industrial production, job creation or commercial growth.

Selection depends on technical feasibility, market potential, applicant readiness, available facilities and relevance to UIRI's mandate.

Write a request addressed to the Executive Director, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, and deliver it to Reception at UIRI Nakawa Campus.

The request should explain the proposed product or business, market need, current development stage, testing or production already undertaken, support required from UIRI, intended market and contact information.

Not necessarily. Incubation may involve technical support, approved facility use, mentorship, laboratory services, product development, skills training and business advisory support.

Any financial support or cost-sharing arrangement must be expressly approved and communicated under the relevant programme or agreement.

In-house incubatees may access designated physical space, machinery, pilot plants, laboratories and technical support depending on the approved incubation arrangement and facility availability.

UIRI may provide business development support covering business planning, marketing strategies, value chains, financial forecasting, ICT, exhibitions and networking opportunities. Exact support depends on the incubatee's needs and the approved programme.

The incubation period depends on the product, required technical development, approved work plan, facility availability and terms of the incubation agreement.

Yes. UIRI's virtual incubation model extends customised mentorship and technical support to entrepreneurs who may not operate from the Nakawa Campus.

Yes. UIRI supports product development from early-stage ideas and prototypes through testing, process improvement, pilot production and preparation for commercialisation.

The Institute helps identify uses for local raw materials, adapt materials to higher-value applications and develop marketable value-added products.

Applied industrial research uses scientific and technical knowledge to solve practical production problems, improve products and processes, develop technologies and create solutions that can be adopted by industry.

UIRI undertakes research with private-sector businesses, SMEs, community groups, universities, local governments and public-sector institutions.

Yes. Companies, entrepreneurs, institutions and researchers may submit proposals for research, product development, process improvement, testing or technology development.

A formal request should describe the problem, expected outcome, work already completed and the expertise or facility required.

Technology transfer involves adapting, developing or introducing technologies that entrepreneurs and industry can use to improve production.

UIRI supports this through appropriate technology sourcing, adaptation of external technologies, development of local alternatives and fabrication of machinery suited to local production needs.

UIRI may provide technical guidance on equipment selection and sourcing. It may also offer production assistance, machinery fabrication or technology adaptation where the required expertise and facilities are available.

Yes. Machinery fabrication is one of UIRI's core activities. Its engineering functions include machining, fabrication, maintenance and repair of pilot plants, installation of processing facilities and modification of production systems.

Pilot processing plants are small-scale industrial facilities used to demonstrate production processes, train entrepreneurs, test prototypes, refine products and assess readiness for larger-scale commercial production.

Yes. UIRI's Technology Innovation Support Center provides intellectual property support to researchers, innovators, start-ups and enterprises.

Services may include intellectual property strategy, patent support, trademark guidance, prior-art searches, commercialisation strategies, technology licensing and intellectual property training.

Ownership of inventions, research results, designs, products and intellectual property depends on applicable law and the agreement between UIRI and the client or collaborating organisation.

Applicants should agree on ownership, confidentiality, publication, licensing and commercialisation arrangements before work begins.

Yes. UIRI provides hands-on technical and vocational training intended to strengthen value addition, entrepreneurship, employment and industrial production.

Training areas include meat processing, dairy processing, fruit and vegetable processing, bakery production, mushroom cultivation and processing, paper processing, laundry and cosmetics production, ceramics and mineral processing, weaving and textiles, bamboo processing, cow-horn processing, wood processing, mechanical engineering, renewable energy, ICT and selected technology-transfer programmes.

Availability may change depending on equipment, instructors, programme schedules and institutional capacity.

Write a request addressed to the Executive Director, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, and deliver it to Reception at the Nakawa Campus.

The request should indicate the training area, applicant's current level of knowledge, number of participants where applicable, preferred training period, expected outcome and contact details.

Yes. Companies, government agencies, community organisations, schools and other institutions may request customised training for staff or beneficiaries.

UIRI will assess the training needs, number of participants, required equipment, duration, materials, facilitator availability and applicable costs.

With the exception of laboratory testing fees, UIRI trainings are free of charge.

A client may incur costs for raw materials and some personal equipment used during production of their products. The free component is the training itself.

UIRI is not an academic institution, so its skills training should not be treated as a university, college, degree, diploma or academic certification programme.

For official confirmation about any specific training record, participation document or completion acknowledgement, please contact UIRI directly.

UIRI may provide internship and apprenticeship opportunities in scientific, engineering, technical, administrative and support areas, depending on available supervisors, facilities and departmental capacity.

Write a formal request addressed to the Executive Director, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, and deliver it to the Human Resource Office at UIRI Nakawa Campus.

The application should indicate field of study or specialisation, institution attended, preferred department or area of placement, proposed start and end dates, contact details and any supporting documents required by the Human Resource Office.

Applicants may state their preferred department, but placement is determined by UIRI according to field of study, available supervisors, departmental capacity, safety considerations and operational requirements.

No. Internship and apprenticeship placements depend on available opportunities and the capacity of the relevant department to provide appropriate supervision.

Applicants should not assume that an internship includes a salary, allowance, meals, transport or accommodation unless this is expressly stated in an official communication.

Applicants are encouraged to submit requests early enough for registration, assessment and placement. Officially announced application periods or deadlines must be observed.

Available positions are published through UIRI's official communication channels and any other channels identified in the vacancy announcement.

Applicants should rely only on officially issued vacancy notices.

Applicants must follow the instructions in the relevant vacancy notice.

Unless the advert provides different instructions, applications should be addressed to the Executive Director, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, and delivered to the Human Resource Office at UIRI Nakawa Campus.

Yes. UIRI is committed to fair, transparent, competitive and merit-based recruitment.

Suitably qualified applicants are encouraged to apply without discrimination on the basis of gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, age, social background or any other status protected under applicable Ugandan law.

An individual may submit an expression of interest, but formal recruitment is normally undertaken against approved and advertised vacancies. Submitting an unsolicited application does not guarantee consideration or employment.

Yes, provided the applicant meets the requirements for each position. A separate and complete application may be required for every vacancy.

Only applicants selected for the next stage may be contacted unless the vacancy announcement states otherwise. Applicants should provide accurate and active telephone numbers and email addresses.

No. Applicants must not attempt to influence the recruitment process. Canvassing, forged documents, false information or unofficial payments may result in disqualification and further action in accordance with applicable law.

Applicants should not pay any person for a job application, internship placement, interview, appointment or preferential treatment.

Any official charge relating to a UIRI service must be formally communicated and paid only through an approved institutional payment channel.

UIRI has analytical laboratory facilities supporting research, product development, quality assurance and industrial testing.

The main laboratory areas identified on the website are the Chemistry Analytical Laboratory, Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, and Food Laboratory.

The laboratories serve food scientists, researchers, exporters, manufacturers, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, institutions and members of the public, subject to testing scope and sample requirements.

The Chemistry Analytical Laboratory provides testing and analytical services supporting researchers, manufacturers, exporters, food scientists, pharmacists and the general public.

The Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory supports product development, microbiological analysis, quality assurance and assessment of compliance with relevant national and international quality requirements.

The Food Laboratory supports food product research and development from initial product ideas through processing, testing and preparation for commercialisation.

Clients should first obtain guidance from the relevant laboratory regarding required tests or parameters, sample quantity, packaging, preservation and transportation, applicable charges, submission documentation and expected turnaround time.

The cost depends on sample type, test parameters, analytical method and resources required. Clients should consult the current approved laboratory price list or request an official quotation.

Not automatically. UIRI laboratory testing provides analytical findings within the scope of the tests performed.

A test report should not be represented as regulatory approval, standards certification or authorisation to place a product on the market unless such approval has been separately issued by the legally responsible authority.

MMISDC is the Machining, Manufacturing and Industrial Skills Development Centre located in the Kampala Industrial and Business Park at Namanve.

The Centre supports industrial production while developing practical, industry-relevant technical skills.

Specialised areas include mechatronics, wood technology, computer numerical control machining, materials and non-destructive testing, welding, powder coating and industrial maintenance.

Service and training availability depends on the relevant section's capacity, equipment and programme schedule.

Companies, manufacturers, institutions and entrepreneurs may submit requests for production support, training, machining, fabrication, testing or other relevant technical services.

Each request is assessed according to technical feasibility, facility availability, safety requirements and applicable charges.

Yes. UIRI works with universities, local governments, private businesses, SMEs, research institutions, community groups and other public- and private-sector organisations on research and development initiatives.

A formal proposal should be addressed to the Executive Director, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, and delivered to Reception at UIRI Nakawa Campus.

It should state the applicant or organisation background, proposed collaboration, problem being addressed, roles of each party, proposed duration, expected outputs, funding or resources available, intellectual property considerations and contact details.

No. A collaboration becomes official only after review, approval and formalisation through an authorised agreement, memorandum of understanding, contract or other appropriate instrument.

Procurement opportunities are communicated through official UIRI channels and any government procurement platforms or publications identified in the relevant notice.

A procurement bid must be submitted according to the instructions, deadline and submission location stated in the official solicitation document.

Procurement bids should not be submitted through the Human Resource Office or through ordinary incubation and training application procedures.

UIRI procurement is expected to follow applicable public procurement laws and procedures, including fairness, transparency, accountability, competition, equal treatment of eligible bidders and value for money.

Yes. Requests for clarification must be made through the communication channel and within the period stated in the bidding document.

Bidders should not privately contact evaluation committee members or attempt to influence the procurement process.

UIRI is located at Plot 42A Mukabya Road, Nakawa Industrial Area, Kampala, Uganda.

The postal address is P.O. Box 7086, Kampala, Uganda.

The website lists UIRI's service hours as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Applicants should take account of weekends, public holidays and any officially communicated changes.

UIRI has an open day for everyone every Tuesday.

For individual general inquiry visits, visitors may come Monday to Friday before 5:00 p.m.

Groups that would like a site tour or site visit should email [email protected] or call the official UIRI lines to make a booking and plan the intended visit with the team.

The official website lists telephone numbers +256 414 286245 and +256 414 286124, and email address [email protected].

Applicants should rely only on UIRI's official website, offices, telephone contacts, written notices and authorised communication channels.

No person should make an unofficial payment or provide sensitive documents to anyone claiming to guarantee employment, internship placement, incubation, training, a procurement award or access to UIRI facilities.