Established in 1990 under the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology Act (CAP 209), the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) serves as a semi-autonomous government agency operating under the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Its mission is to provide effective and innovative leadership in the development, promotion, and application of science and technology, integrating them into sustainable national development.

UNCST's vision is a prosperous, science and technology-led Ugandan society. The council's core values—commitment, integrity, and distinction—guide its strategic goals, which include improving the national science and technology policy environment, strengthening research and technology transfer systems, enhancing public understanding of science, and building institutional research capacity. UNCST has earned recognition for its role in advancing Uganda's research capabilities, notably through initiatives like the Millennium Science Initiative and the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology, which have bolstered research funding and infrastructure.

The council maintains a collaborative work culture that emphasizes innovation and excellence, offering job opportunities that contribute to national development. Its corporate social responsibility efforts focus on promoting science education and public engagement.