Uganda ventures into space

Cabinet has approved the development of Uganda’s first Satellite Station to spur the country’s space capabilities, Minister of Information Ms. Judith Nabakooba has revealed .

While communicating the decisions made by cabinet this week, Nabakooba said Uganda’s venture  in space technology will help the country to leverage space science and technology for sustainable development by increasing “evidence-based technology information” for planning and decision making.

She that once developed Uganda’s Satellite Station will among others , improve space science and technology infrastructure to support Research for Industrial Development; improved defense and security through improved capabilities for cross border movement monitoring and surveillance  and  increase private sector investment in space science, technology research and innovation.

“This will in the end enhance Foreign Direct Investment and collaborations, which will in turn attract or spur development of new Technologies in the Country,” she added.

Other benefits why cabinet believes Uganda should invest in a Satellite Station include improvement of  National Earth observation and remote sensing centres and improved application of Space Science and Technology to the Social, Economic, Political and Environmental needs of the country while ensuring that Uganda also becomes a significant user and player of the outer space.

Space technology is technology developed by space science for use in astronautics, for purposes such as spaceflight or space exploration. Space technology includes spacecraft, satellites, space stations, and support infrastructure equipment, and procedures and space warfare.

The beneficial uses of outer space, including strengthening communications infrastructures, disaster management, education, agriculture, environmental protection and natural resource management, had enormous relevance for human development, especially for developing countries, the report says.

Each year, hundreds of technical innovations generated by space programs make their way into our earthly technology such as: better home appliances, advancements in farming equipment, faster communications, more precise maritime and aerospace technologies, safety through dangerous weather warnings, improved medical .