Every innovator seeks to enhance the quality of his product or service. Makerere University teargas innovator, Samuel Magarura is no exception. The third year student in department of Plant sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology under College of Natural sciences at Makerere University is seeking over Ug.shs. 40M to improve the quality of his teargas.
An improved teargas quality will mean more tears, more irritation but less toxicity to the affected. According to Mugarura, he needs the money to produce lachrymator, the irritant that causes tears. His teargas is made out of lemon, onions, food colour and hot pepper.
While at Kitende Primary School Playground in Entebbe on Saturday, where he carried out the second test on his teargas product, Mugarura said he has recruited a team of 5 more people to help him expand his innovation to benefit the country.
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 but 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.
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.
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,” said Mugarura.