Uganda to develop space capabilities by building satellite ground station

Uganda plans to build a satellite station with the main objective of developing the African country’s space capabilities in a well-coordinated and harmonized manner.

Building a satellite station will help Uganda to leverage space science and technology for sustainable development, said Judith Nabakooba, the country’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology.

She says the effort will also increase evidence-based technology information for planning and decision making and improve space science and technology infrastructure to support research for industrial development of the country.

“Improve application of space science and technology to the social, economic, political and environmental needs of the country while ensuring Uganda also becomes significant user and player of the outer space,” Nabakooba said.

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni has made space technology and exploration a key part of his vision for the country.

In 2019, the country announced plans to launch its first satellite by January 2022.

If successful, Uganda will join Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, Rwanda and Mauritius on the list of African nations with satellites in space.

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