Govt to open ICT innovation hub at Mountains of the Moon University
“We are targeting innovators across the country to ensure that the digital transformation leaves no one behind,” she said, urging youth to build products that respond to tangible domestic challenges rather than relying on imported solutions.
The outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Amina Zawedde ( third left), announced the expansion on Tuesday. This was during the UJ-Connect Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Programme Demo Day at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa. ICT state minister Joyce Naboosa Ssebugwawo (second right) presided over the event, which was also attended by the deputy ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Norimasa Yoshida (second left). (Courtesy photo)
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The Government plans to establish a new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovation hub at Mountains of the Moon University in Fort Portal city to decentralise technology entrepreneurship training and mentorship for Tooro sub-region and beyond.
The outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Amina Zawedde, announced the expansion on Tuesday (November 10), noting that the new facility will join existing regional hubs at Soroti, Muni, Kabale, and Busitema universities. The move is designed to give innovators outside Kampala direct access to mentorship, funding, and product commercialisation support.
Speaking at the UJ-Connect Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Programme Demo Day at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala, Dr. Zawedde emphasised the need to shift focus from purely technical features to market-driven solutions.
“We are targeting innovators across the country to ensure that the digital transformation leaves no one behind,” she said, urging youth to build products that respond to tangible domestic challenges rather than relying on imported solutions.
Solar Care Uganda took the top prize of $3,000, followed by HydroGuard ($2,000), Zapher Farms ($1,000), and Eco Swap Energies ($500). The winning solutions addressed critical local gaps.
HydroGuard is developing a remotely controlled, hose-fed robotic system to help firefighters assess hazardous environments and suppress blazes from a safe distance.
Zapher Farms showcased an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered mobile application that enables tomato farmers to photograph diseased plants for immediate diagnosis and management advice.
Philip Kusasira, representing Zapher Farms, noted the team is developing a USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) service to reach farmers without smartphones and plans to partner with verified agro-input suppliers to curb the use of counterfeit chemicals.
Dr. Zawedde assured stakeholders that the ministry will sustain the training model beyond the project’s lifecycle by utilising local trainers equipped through the programme.
To further bridge the gap between local prototypes and global markets, top entrepreneurs will receive all-expense-paid study tours to established startup ecosystems in India or Vietnam early next year.
The UICT Secretary, Ambrose Bakwasiibwe, speaking on behalf of the institution's principal, Dr Fredrick Kitoogo, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to transitioning learners into job creators.
“Our ambition goes beyond celebrating ideas. We envision student innovations evolving from prototypes into products, and concepts into sustainable enterprises,” he said.
The event was presided over by the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Joyce Ssebugwawo, alongside Japanese Deputy Ambassador Norimasa Yoshida and senior JICA officials.