Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye and the Inspector General of Police. Gen. Kale Kayihura have applauded the innovation. Mugarura however, says the government officials are yet to fulfill their promises to support him.
Samuel Mugarura, the Makerere University teargas innovator is seeking Shillings 40 million to improve on his product. According to Mugarura, he needs the money to produce lachrymator, the irritant that causes tears.
Speaking to URN at Kitende Primary School Playground in Entebbe on Saturday, where he carried out the second test on his teargas product, Mugarura said he has a recruited a team of 5 more people to help him expand his innovation to benefit the country.
"I have improved on the ingredients. I am now using chemicals from plants. By using these phyto-chemicals, it means that this device will be reducing on the toxicity on human beings," said Mugarura. Adding that; "I have also improved its vibrancy and efficacy. It is more effective now. I have not been able to pull funding from government to be able to produce."
The third year student in the department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology in College of Natural Sciences at Makerere University, first demonstrated his innovation on September 25th, 2016. According to Mugarura, he is waiting to meet the president to discuss his innovation with him.
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Although Makerere University distanced itself from the innovation, several top government officials including Internal Affairs Minister, Gen. Jeje Odongo his counterpart for the Science, Technology and Innovation.
Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye and the Inspector General of Police. Gen. Kale Kayihura have applauded the innovation. Mugarura however, says the government officials are yet to fulfill their promises to support him.
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According to Mugarura, the improved teargas is made out of lemon, onions and hot pepper. Mugarura explains that he spent Shillings 2.4 million to come up with the first innovation and another Shillings 1.8million for the improved version. He however, says the improved version is less toxic compared to the first.
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Mugarura says he lacks the capacity to produce the product for the market but is optimistic of going into full production should the support come in. "Right now we cannot produce because we are unable to sustain the production. I need to begin producing when I have attained my abilities and full capacity," Mugarura.
Ibra Mukiibi of Innovation Challenge who is also among the youth recruited by Mugarura, says the have started marketing the product online since government is reluctant to take it up.
