In a recent meeting between President Museveni of Uganda and Polish entrepreneur Mr. Mariusz Lwanski, hopes have emerged for the creation of a manufacturing hub specializing in cutting-edge technology systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones. This meeting, convened at State House in Entebbe, brought together key figures, including Ambassador Rosa Malango and Mr. Alex Szkaradek, who serves as the Director of Prometheus, the Polish company leading this proposal.
Mr. Lwanski highlighted the diverse applications of drones, spanning security, forestry monitoring, critical infrastructure inspections, life-saving operations, firefighting, fishing, and agriculture. His vision is to transform Uganda into a regional and continental hub for the production of high-tech equipment, with a particular emphasis on drones.
President Museveni warmly embraced the proposal and extended his full support to the project. It is worth noting, however, that Prometheus, a relatively new company founded in 2019, lacks a substantial track record in drone manufacturing. Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity regarding why the company, which has not yet exported UAVs from Poland, is interested in establishing a drone factory in Uganda.
While the H2 Prometheus UAV Hybrid Drone Platform serves as the company’s flagship project, there is limited information available concerning their recent partnerships or manufacturing experience. Despite these uncertainties, President Museveni maintains an optimistic outlook on the investment and has pledged his assistance in bringing the plan to fruition.
The utilization of UAVs has gained immense popularity due to their versatility in performing a wide range of tasks, including remote sensing, monitoring, courier deliveries, and medical supply transportation. These unmanned aircraft typically consist of a remote pilot station, a command-and-control link, and a payload tailored to a specific purpose.
It is noteworthy that Uganda has established stringent regulatory measures governing the operation of drones. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has implemented regulations for remotely piloted aircraft systems, necessitating drone registration and adherence to guidelines set by the Uganda Communications Commission to prevent interference with radio communication systems.
The meeting at State House witnessed the participation of high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Defense Forces and the board of the Tumaini African Knowledge Centre.
