Minister Musenero launches National AI Research Cloud to boost data storage

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In a bid to build local computing infrastructure to develop artificial intelligence models and allow innovators to store and process large datasets, a National AI Research Cloud has been launched.

The project is hosted at Makerere University and jointly run by the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

According to Dr Joyce Nakatumba Nabende, a senior lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Makerere University, previously, innovators relied on international commercial cloud services such as Amazon or Google, which was expensive and raised concerns about data sovereignty.

She explained that developing modern AI models, such as large language models, requires significant computing power and storage capacity. She was speaking on Friday last week during the AI Innovation Demo Day held at Makerere University.

“When working with artificial intelligence, data is the most important element. Data is the new gold that powers AI systems. The research cloud provides the space where innovators can upload their datasets and access computing resources to train their models,” Nakatumba said.

The cloud was developed in partnership with the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) and will allow researchers to store and process data within the country, offering both cheaper and secure platforms.

AI research centres are instrumental in advancing the field of artificial intelligence through various initiatives and projects. These focus on cutting-edge research, product development, and innovation.

These centres often collaborate with industry partners and host conferences and workshops to share knowledge and foster collaboration while providing training programs and resources for researchers and professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge in AI.

Speaking during the Inaugural AI Innovation Demo Day, Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, warned that Africa risks being left behind if it does not actively participate in developing the technologies shaping the global economy.

She described the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, as a technological shift that has arrived suddenly and dramatically, and Uganda’s strides must be felt from the front.

“Many people thought AI would come gently like a breeze, but it has arrived like a tsunami. The question is whether we are going to survive it. Our answer must be to take our destiny into our own hands,” Musenero explained.

Musenero said the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents a unique opportunity for Uganda because it is the first technological revolution that has found the country relatively prepared and continues to build technology infrastructure.

“Our nations are more stable; we have educated populations, growing infrastructure and leadership that understands the opportunity. We should not go through this revolution as spectators; let’s channel more funding through universities and support the young generation.”

Meanwhile, Allan Lule, in charge of Startups and Operations at Makerere Innovation Incubation Centre (MIIC) as well as Incubation Manager under Pathogen Economy Labs, noted that innovators ought to develop marketable, solution-oriented and bankable projects that contribute to the GDP of the country.

He explained that MIIC played a significant role in the AI Innovation Demo Day 2026, which was a pivotal event in Uganda's AI entrepreneurship landscape and brought together researchers, startups, and industry partners to showcase and pitch their AI innovations.

This event was a testament to MIIC's commitment to commercialising AI research and transforming it into real industry products and innovations.

“Our goal is to ensure that the young people earn from their innovations, but most importantly, solve societal challenges. We want to support their projects, make them bankable and scalable,” Lulu added.

Mark Rujumba, Project Manager for the Pathogen Economy Labs Project, said the initiative aims to equip students and young entrepreneurs with the skills needed to develop practical AI solutions that can grow into sustainable enterprises.

“What we are trying to do as a project is find ways of empowering young entrepreneurs and even students of AI to develop solutions that actually work. Very many people know about artificial intelligence, but how many know how to build an AI business that is profitable and scalable? Rujumba said.”

Through innovation academies and mentorship programmes, participants are trained not only in the technical aspects of AI but also in entrepreneurship, helping them transform ideas into market-ready products.