Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, and his Ugandan counterpart, Ephraim Kamuntu, have signed a bilateral agreement, committing the two countries to working together to advance science and technology.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on 16 April, Minister Mangena said the cooperative relationship between Uganda and South Africa was wide-ranging, "visionary and effective"

"With the signing of this agreement, which signals our countries' joint commitment to the advancement of our science, technology and innovation agendas, we are entering into a new era."

Minister Mangena also made reference to the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), saying it could benefit the rest of Africa.

"African scientists must come and use this component to solve problems such as malaria, which is killing millions of people. It is incumbent upon our scientists to find cures for such diseases," he said. 

South Africa won the bid to host the African and third component of the ICGEB in 2007. It is based at the University of Cape Town and its research laboratory focuses on medical and agricultural technologies.

Minister Kamuntu said Uganda's vision was to transform its economy from a subsistence economy into a modern one, and that science and technology should be the driving force behind the transformation. There was a need to discover better energy sources and find lasting solutions to diseases like Aids and malaria. 

The agreement between South Africa and Uganda is one of many deliberate efforts to position science, technology and innovation as drivers of development in Africa. 

The agreement is further cemented by Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action, which consolidates the science and technology programmes of the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development in order to overcome poverty by ensuring that Africa is well integrated into the global economy. 

South Africa and Uganda will work together to identify areas for cooperation and to address national, regional and continental objectives in ensuring sustainable growth and development. This will be achieved through joint research and development programmes, exchange programmes and the sharing of scientific knowledge and information.