MTN Foundation Launches Digital Innovation Hub at Busitema

What the report says

MTN Foundation Uganda has handed over the second MTN Spark Innovation Hub, this time at Busitema University, in a move aimed at widening access to digital skills, internet-enabled computers, mentorship and innovation space for students and nearby communities in Eastern Uganda. According to Nile Post, the facility is part of a broader partnership involving the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Centenary Technology Services.

The project sits within a Shs4 billion plan spread over three years to expand digital innovation and entrepreneurship in Uganda. The wider programme includes four regional innovation centres at public universities, along with refurbishment of the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala. Busitema follows the first hub launched at Kabale University, while other planned centres are expected to serve northern, western and central Uganda.

The hub is intended to support training in areas such as coding, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing. It will also offer collaborative workspaces and mentorship through the MTN Skills Academy, with the goal of helping users develop technology-based responses to local problems. MTN Foundation trustee Francis Gimara said the initiative is meant to build innovators and entrepreneurs, while Busitema University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako welcomed the facility as timely for higher education and the economy.

Nile Post also reported that officials raised concerns about internet connectivity, which could affect use of the new facilities. Ministry of ICT Permanent Secretary Amina Zawedde said connectivity improvements are under way and stressed that community members, not only university students, are meant to benefit from the hub.