Busitema University has embarked on a significant milestone in its academic and research endeavors with the launch of its Satellite Domestication Project. The initiative was inaugurated by distinguished individuals, including Engineer Bonny Omara, a presidential advisor on space technology and an alumnus of Busitema University, representing the Science, Technology, and Innovation Office of the President. Top management officials, including Dr. Gilbert Ocen, who was representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Waako, attended the meeting and delivered the opening remarks. Dr. Ocen, who also serves as the project's Principal Investigator (PI), highlighted the initiative's significance for Busitema University and the nation at large. Dr. Geofrey Andima, the Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), also shared his insights and aspirations for the project's future. Further still, the project is spearheaded by Rosemary Nalwanga, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence specialist, alongside Gerald Kisangala, an expert in Embedded System Engineering and Space Environment. Both lead trainers are part of a team sponsored by the government to undergo a comprehensive nine-month training in Space and Satellite technology at the Egyptian Space Agency in Egypt. They were part of a project that was designing a climate camera to be mounted on the International Space Station (ISS), a training that gave them the knowledge and skills of assembling satellites, designing subsystems of a satellite and many other befitting skills for Satellite technology. This extensive training has equipped them with the expertise necessary to conduct a 10-week intensive course in Space Science and Engineering disciplines for the 15 selected students from various faculties within Busitema University.

The launch event featured several insightful presentations including one from selected students who shared their progress and understanding of basic satellite technology, showcasing the knowledge they have acquired thus far. Engineer Bonny Omara delivered a detailed presentation on the broader scope of the Mission Ideation Concept (MIC), emphasizing its importance and potential impact on national development. The event concluded with a guided tour of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) laboratory where students are conducting their studies. The visit provided attendees with a closer look at the practical aspects of the training, including demonstrations of the concepts and technologies the students have been exploring.

This Satellite Domestication Project marks a pivotal step for Busitema University in contributing to the field of Space Science and Technology, positioning the institution as a hub for innovative research and development in Uganda.