By John Jimmy Musimbi

A sericulture investment with the potential to create jobs, strengthen skills and open new economic opportunities for young people has attracted the attention of Parliament as the Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation visited TRIDI’s Byanamira Sericulture Station in Kiruhura District.

The visit formed part of Parliament’s nationwide oversight of government-funded science, technology and innovation projects, with the committee assessing the investment and engaging TRIDI management on the station’s development and its potential contribution to Uganda’s economy.

Led by Kashari North Member of Parliament Patrick Musinguzi, the committee toured the facility alongside local leaders and the Principal Assistant Clerk to Parliament, Jackline Muhimbise. The engagement provided an opportunity to examine the infrastructure and discuss how the sericulture investment can deliver greater value to the country.

Parliament sees a “gold mine” for Uganda

The potential of the investment was strongly recognised during the visit. Musinguzi described the project as “a gold mine” for Uganda, stressing the importance of moving science and innovation investments towards commercialisation, production and markets.

“We would rather put money in one project, we complete it, it commercialises. And people start buying so that we earn and we export.”

His message reinforces the importance of transforming Uganda’s investments in science and innovation into products, enterprises, employment and economic value.

For TRIDI, this aligns with its broader commitment to practical skills development, productive value chains and sustainable opportunities for young people.

Kiruhura community sees opportunity

The investment has also generated strong interest among local leaders.

Kiruhura District allocated 25 acres of land for the project, reflecting the community’s expectation that sericulture can contribute to youth skilling, employment, income generation and wider community development.

The District LCV Chairperson reaffirmed the community’s desire to see the initiative deliver on this promise, highlighting the importance of the project to the growing population and young people in the area.

Unlocking the full value of the investment

TRIDI Executive Director Dr. Clet Wandui Masiga used the engagement to explain the journey of the investment and the financing challenges affecting its operationalisation, including TRIDI’s efforts to explore alternative financing.

The Parliamentary oversight now provides an important platform for stakeholders to identify the support required to unlock the station’s full potential.

The committee says its assessment will establish how government investments in the sericulture stations have been utilised and what is required to make the projects fully operational.

For TRIDI, the opportunity is clear; build on the investment, strengthen the sericulture value chain and turn scientific innovation into practical opportunities for Ugandan youth and communities.

As Parliament continues its oversight, the focus should remain on what the investment can deliver skills, jobs, production, value addition and markets.

The call to action

Uganda has an opportunity to turn sericulture into a stronger source of livelihoods and economic growth. Government, Parliament, local leaders, development partners and private sector actors can help unlock this potential by supporting the completion, operationalisation and commercialisation of strategic sericulture investments.

The investment has been made. The opportunity is here. Now is the time to unlock its full impact.