The Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat of Uganda, together with its partners, including Future Lab Africa, launched the DeepTech Centre of Excellence on Wednesday. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to foster innovation in cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Biotechnology, Advanced Materials, Cloud Computing, Big Data Analytics, Edge Computing, and Quantum Computing, to mention but a few.
The launch graced by the Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, and hosted by Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, aims to accelerate the country’s leap into a knowledge-based economy.
Hon. Nankabirwa congratulated the secretariat on this achievement and pledged her support to the Secretariat for papers presented in the Parliament that promote innovation in Uganda.
“This milestone is not only a leap forward in our nation’s journey toward technological advancement and the qualitative leap but also a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to operationalizing Uganda National Development Plan III,” she further noted. “This is a testament to what we can achieve when the public and private sectors come together with a shared vision. The opportunities for collaboration are vast, and I urge all stakeholders—government MDAs, private sectors, academia and research institutions, and local communities—to seize this opportunity and work together to maximize the impact of this initiative.”
Hon. Nankabirwa emphasized that the facility will create jobs, foster skills development, and drive technological innovation.
David Gonahasa, Lead of the Industry 4.0+ Bureau at the STI Secretariat, emphasized the Centre’s alignment with Uganda’s broader Industry 4.0+ framework. “This initiative is part of Uganda’s strategy to catalyze innovation in emerging technological fields, giving the country a global competitive edge. By embedding deep tech innovation, Uganda can lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he stated.
Arthur Mukembo, CEO of Future Lab said, “We are focused on providing unparalleled access to world-class R&D and commercialization infrastructure, nurturing the technical, research, entrepreneurial, and management talent necessary to lead this emerging space. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things, we aim to address critical challenges such as limited access to healthcare, low agricultural productivity, and youth unemployment.
Key initiatives announced at the event include the AI for BPO initiative, an AI studio to support Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in adopting AI technologies for improved service delivery, and a Deep Tech Venture Studio to empower innovators in building world-class ventures. Additionally, the Centre will house a local data repository and exchange program, alongside initiatives focused on commercializing academic research and fostering corporate venture capital.
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