Many people in Uganda are wondering about the benefits of the country’s first satellite and the money spent on it.
The Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President has announced that its scientists are working on a second, more advanced satellite. This space program, which has faced criticism from some members of the public and lawmakers who question its priority, comes as there are unanswered questions about how the country benefited from the first satellite and the expenses associated with it.
Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, the superintendent for industrial value chain development at the secretariat, revealed in an interview that the country’s first satellite, PearlAfricaSat-1, was a student-developed satellite with limited capacity, mainly intended to showcase the nation’s ability to build one. He also mentioned that it had a short lifespan of around 12 months.
This information contradicts the capabilities and expectations that were raised when the satellite was launched on November 7 last year by NASA (America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
Dr. Doreen Agaba, the government’s head of space science, had previously stated that the satellite would capture images to support farmers, infrastructure development, and mineral mapping.
However, Dr. Mwikirize, while announcing the upcoming National Science Week 2023 scheduled to start on November 6, explained that the first satellite was never expected to have extensive capabilities as a nation. He also mentioned that the second satellite is being developed in Uganda in collaboration with partners from Egypt.
Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasized the focus on building the second satellite to improve the country’s capacity for gathering information. She stated that the second satellite should provide communication capabilities similar to digital satellite television.
PearlAfricaSat-1 was a 1U cube satellite, the smallest satellite size, but the exact development cost has not been disclosed by the secretariat or the three engineers involved. However, it is known that the government has already spent at least Shs7 billion on the program. The government’s budget for the national Innovation, Technology Development, and Transfer Programme Implementation Action Plan for 2020 to 2025 indicates a total spending intention of Shs104.5 billion for developing, launching, and operationalizing two satellites.
The cost of satellite development varies widely, ranging from $500,000 (Shs2 billion) to $400 million (Shs1.5 trillion), depending on size and capabilities.
Dr. Musenero, when asked about the likely cost of developing the first satellite and the requirements for the second one, defended the project, saying that the aim is to benefit other sectors of the economy.
However, Ms. Joan Acom Alobo, the Soroti City Woman representative and a member of the Parliament’s Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation, expressed concerns about prioritizing space ventures over pressing issues affecting the population, such as managing plastic waste and improving road infrastructure.
The 1U satellite, PearlAfricaSat-1, could carry less than half a kilogram of hyperspectral cameras with a resolution of 20 meters. Dr. Bonny Omara, one of the engineers involved in its development, provided this information.
The Mpoma satellite station was established in 1978 with support from the Japanese government but remained incomplete due to political changes. Dr. Musenero mentioned that the center has been renovated and additional equipment has been procured. Collaboration with other countries or organizations with satellites is also part of the work involved in this endeavor.
