National Innovation Summit: Gov’t Recognizes Role of Innovation in Driving Economic Growth, Improving Livelihoods

The Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Joyce Nabosa Sebugwawo while presiding over the National Innovation Summit last week. Left is Mr. Henry Lutwama, the convener of the event. Mr. Lutwama is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Executive Director, Wocor Powery Technology (U) Limited.

The National Innovation Summit, held on December 6, 2024, at the Hive Colab, Kamwokya, brought together the country’s brightest minds to unleash a wave of creativity and innovation.

By 8 a.m., the Hive Colab was a hive of activities. Over 500 innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry experts gathered to share ideas, forge partnerships, and shape the future of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.

At the forefront of this revolution is the government, committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation to thrive. Hon. Nabosa Sebugwawo, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, emphasized the critical role innovation plays in driving economic growth and improving livelihoods.

“We as a government have surely done our part. We’ve set policies and developed frameworks for all innovators to compete fairly. I implore you young people to take this opportunity seriously and attract partners from other parts of the world to join our efforts in making Uganda the technology hub of East and Central Africa,” she emphasized.

But what sets Uganda’s innovation scene apart? For starters, the country boasts of a young, dynamic population, bursting with creative energy. Add to that a growing pool of talented innovators, entrepreneurs, and technologists, and you have a potent mix.

Event organizer Mr. Henry Lutwama, a distinguished member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Executive Director, Wocor Powery Technology (U) Limited, highlighted the need for Ugandan innovators to compete internationally.

“Uganda’s digital space is ever-growing. We are just getting started. Uganda has the potential to become Africa’s Silicon Valley,” he said. “We need to create an ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Mr. Moses Watasa, the Commissioner of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and one of the keynote speakers for the event, was marveled by the young innovators who exhibited depth of knowledge and expertise in the technology field.

“I’m thrilled by the works of these amazing panelists, like this one, Sharon Nambozo. I want to assure you that the ministry has interacted with global leaders in the world of technology and innovation. We are not seated. We are working on framing the policy on AI and other emerging technologies. When we were in California recently, we met Meta founder Zuckerberg and had a wonderful engagement. We also met with the Tesla team and even had a test of their products. We even tested the cars that have not yet come to the market. We are doing all this to create avenues on how to bring these conglomerates to Africa and Uganda in particular. We are working out something with Elon Musk’s team that we will be unveiling to you soon. This will be a game-changer for Uganda and Africa,” Mr. Watasa explained.

Ms. Flavia Eleanor, the CEO of Ezeemoney, and one of the moderators, commended the organizers for hosting such an impactful event.

“This summit hall is a testament to the creativity of all young people in this room. You’ve continued to showcase cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and sustainable innovation. From mobile apps like my own, Ezeemoney, which offers financial services to individuals and businesses to medical devices, the innovations on display today are a glimpse into a brighter future for this country. Indeed, the sky is not even the limit,” she said.

As Uganda’s innovation ecosystem continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the country is poised to become a hub for creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The National Innovation Summit was just the beginning— for Ugandan innovators, the real revolution has only just started.