MTN Foundation Uganda has established a new digital innovation hub at Busitema University in eastern Uganda. The MTN ACE Spark Innovation Hub was handed over to the university on September 15, as part of a Shs4 billion investment to establish innovation centres at public universities and refurbish the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala. This initiative is a collaboration between MTN Foundation Uganda, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and Centenary Technology Services.
The new hub at Busitema University follows the first hub established at Kabale University, with additional centres planned for Gulu and Soroti universities. These facilities will offer workspaces, mentorship, and training in areas such as data science and analytics, software development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing through the MTN Skills Academy. Anischolar is the implementing partner for this initiative, which aims to empower young people to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Francis Gimara, a trustee of the MTN Foundation Uganda, stated that the hubs are designed to provide young people with a platform to develop and test solutions to challenges in their communities. The initiative aims to give participants the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to create practical solutions, start businesses, and contribute to Uganda's economic growth. More than 20,000 students and community members are expected to benefit from this initiative.
The investment in digital innovation hubs comes as Uganda seeks to increase young people's participation in the digital economy. With youth accounting for more than 75% of the country's population, the initiative aims to equip them with the skills and support needed to innovate, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, emphasized the importance of investing in Uganda's youth.
Prof Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, noted that the facility will help connect university training with practical application, preparing students to become problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The programme builds on the MTN ACE initiative, which has invested more than Shs4 billion over the past three years in digital capability development, particularly among young people.
The refurbished Nakawa innovation hub has supported technology-based initiatives, including KaCyber, an online public transport ticketing system, and RideLink, an artificial intelligence-powered logistics platform for import and export solutions. The regional network will cover eastern, northern, western, and central Uganda, with facilities at Busitema and Soroti universities, Gulu University, Kabale University, and Nakawa.
The success of the hubs will depend on the development of viable enterprises, secure employment, or production of solutions that address local problems beyond the training rooms. Francis Gimara stated that the Busitema facility marked the beginning of further opportunities for young people, shaping a resilient, competitive, and inclusive economy through investment in Uganda's youth and digital innovation.
Key points
- MTN Foundation Uganda has established a new digital innovation hub at Busitema University as part of a Shs4 billion investment.
- The initiative aims to empower young people to drive innovation and entrepreneurship, with more than 20,000 students and community members expected to benefit.
- The regional network will cover eastern, northern, western, and central Uganda, with facilities at multiple universities.
