Opinion: Rwanda launches first satellite, Uganda could pick a leaf

By Arnold Agaba

To most of the world the word “ICYEREKEZO” is an ordinary word which when translated into English means vision. To Rwanda, “ICYEREKEZO” means more. It is the name of the satellite which will provide broadband internet to schools in remote areas of Rwanda. The satellite was launched aboard the Russian Soyuz rocket from French Guiana on Wednesday. The government of Rwanda partnered with OneWeb to launch the satellite into low-earth orbit. Rwanda has also partnered with the Japanese government to further its plans to launch another satellite before the end of 2019. The launch of the satellite attests to Rwanda’s emphasis on science, technology and innovation as an anchor for its development agenda. Rwanda has made strategic initiatives designed to transform the small East African country into a continental technology hub.

Although only South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Angola have satellites orbiting earth, a number of African countries include, Egypt, Ethiopia and Algeria have space programs. In 2016 the African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy as the first of the concrete step towards realizing an African Outer Space Programme. The AU established an African Space Agency to facilitate cooperation and to coordinate space activities of member states in Africa.

The African Union considers space science and technology as core elements needed to trigger a paradigm shift in Africa’s development agenda. Space products such as satellite communication, navigation aid, earth observation plus science and astronomy have the capability of ameliorating Africa’s incapacities. If fully implemented, the African Space Program can improve the chances for Africa’s economic development, strengthen peace, security and stability in the continent as well as provide Africans with essential services and products needed to enhance their day to day lives. So as our neighbors make crucial strides in the science, innovation and technology sector though their space activities, Uganda should consider having a well-structured space program and active participation in the African Space Agency.