Ugandan engineers under their umbrella body – the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE) have elected Bosco Lepi as their president for a term of two years 2024 -26.
Lepi, a civil engineer in the Ministry of Works & Transport, campaigned under a 12-point agenda. In his manifesto, he promised to increase UIPE membership to 10,000 by the end of his first term in 2026. He also promised to enhance professional course/training for all the categories of members. UIPE has six types of memberships- (registered) engineers, graduate, honorary, technologists, technicians, trainees. The 50-year-old UIPE currently boasts a membership of 2,000.
Lepi also promised to undertake advocacy for all member categories, develop the house for engineers (Technology House), widen the associations revenue base, promote engineering for socio-economic transformation, foster local and international partnerships, strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics study and research in the country. He further promised to increase UIPE visibility and improve its image, influence policy on matters of engineering, improve the operation of UIPE secretariat and its branches and enhance mentorship, apprenticeship, and career guidance for the younger members of the association.
Eng. Lepi holds a Master of Public Infrastructure Management of Makerere University and a Bachelor of Civil and Building Engineering of Kyambogo University. He is also a member of the Governing Council of Uganda Technical College, Lira as well as a member of the East African Darts Association, among others. Prior to his election to the presidency, Lepi served as UIPE vice president for education and training.
He beat Eng. Annet Nsiimirwe to the post. Lepi is a known advocate and champion of development of the local engineering industry. He has been vocal in arguing for government deliberate support to local companies in awarding contracts, as a way of building local capacity rather than favouring international companies that have established capacity.
A recent UIPE membership survey showed that the engineers thought the association was not fulfilling all their expectations which has been attributed to low enrolment to memberships, lukewarm member involvement in the institutions’ affairs, low revenue, limited involvement in government programs, and low public visibility, among others.
Lepi’s campaign was endorsed by the Ministry of Works & Transport. https://x.com/MoWT_Uganda/status/1749760808836268368?s=20
