MTN Foundation Uganda has launched its second Spark Innovation Hub at Busitema University, extending its digital skills and entrepreneurship programme to eastern Uganda.
The facility was launched Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Centenary Technology Services.
It is part of a UGX 4 billion investment being made over three years to establish four regional innovation hubs at public universities and refurbish the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala.
The first regional hub was launched at Kabale University in April.
The Busitema hub is equipped with digital infrastructure and other facilities for students and members of surrounding communities. It will offer digital skills training through the MTN Skills Academy, with support from Anischolar, alongside shared workspaces and mentorship.
Francis Gimara, a trustee of the MTN Foundation Uganda, said the hubs are intended to give young people and communities space to develop ideas and work on practical solutions.
“We at MTN Foundation Uganda believe that everyone should be empowered to drive innovation and entrepreneurship that transforms the communities in which we operate,” he said.
“By providing tools, mentorship, and opportunities, we are giving young people the platform to create practical solutions, start businesses, and contribute to the economic growth of Uganda.”
Gimara said the programme is expected to give more than 20,000 students and community members access to digital training and mentorship.
“By investing in Uganda’s youth and digital innovation, we are shaping a resilient, competitive and inclusive economy,” he said.
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said the investment would help young people develop skills needed in the digital economy.
“Investing in Uganda’s youth is investing in the country’s future. These innovation hubs equip young people with the skills and support needed to innovate, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.”
Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, said the hub would help students move from classroom learning to practical work, including developing solutions and business ideas.
Peter Kahiigi, Chief Technology Officer at Centenary Technology Services, said the facility had been operational for seven months before the official handover.
“What we handed over today is not a new lab. It is a working one,” he said.
“The lab has been functional since February, and students have been on it since. That is the test of a project like this: not the ribbon, but whether the room is full on an ordinary weekday.”
Kahiigi said the project was also intended to give young people outside Kampala access to technology and resources.
“Our job was to create an environment where learners and young entrepreneurs from across Uganda can do meaningful work using the same tools and resources available in Kampala.”
The programme has expanded from Nakawa to Kabale and Busitema, with Gulu and Soroti identified as the next locations.
“The goal is to establish a consistent standard across four regions, bringing the same opportunities closer to students and communities outside Kampala. The environment is our part. What students and local communities build with it is what ultimately matters,” Kahiigi said.
The planned network will cover all regions, with Busitema and Soroti universities serving the East, Gulu University the North, Kabale University the West and the Nakawa hub serving the Central region.
The hubs are expected to provide secure spaces for digital learning, collaboration and innovation.
The investment follows more than UGX 4 billion that the MTN ACE Programme has invested over the past three years in digital capability development, particularly among young people.
The renewed funding will support the four regional hubs and the Nakawa ICT Innovation Hub. The Nakawa facility has produced innovations including KaCyber, an online public transport ticketing system, and RideLink, an AI-powered logistics platform supporting import and export solutions.
Through its ACE Tech, ACE Career and ACE Skilling tracks, MTN Foundation Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Centenary Technology Services and Anischolar, is providing digital skills training and mentorship to youth, graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs.
