Airtel Uganda Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, has called upon youth to harness the internet and digital technologies to develop innovative solutions that address the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges. He made the remarks on the second day of the 9th National Conference on Communications held at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa.
The event featured presentations by young innovators showcasing projects across health, agriculture, education, and business. While delivering his keynote address, Sahu emphasized that the internet should not only be viewed as a tool for consumption but as a platform for creativity and innovation.
“The challenges in health, education, business, and agriculture are real, but you can solve them. With every megabyte, digital tool, or connection, you can design solutions that transform communities. Seize your moment, collaborate, experiment, and reimagine what is possible,” he noted.
Sahu underscored the transformative potential of technology, citing examples of a farmer in Masaka accessing real-time weather data to improve yields, a business lady in Kabale running global businesses from the village, or a student in Mbale attending virtual lectures. “These are not distant dreams; they are possibilities that digital innovation can unlock for every Ugandan,” he said.
Sahu also outlined Airtel Uganda’s contribution to the country’s digital growth, highlighting the company’s heavy investments in achieving a nationwide 100% 4G network, innovations like Spam Alert service, VoLTE, and partnerships designed to make smartphones more affordable, thereby reducing the digital divide.
See also: Airtel Uganda launches an AI-powered alert service to combat spam
Representing Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Amos Mpungu, the Principal Information Technology Officer at the Ministry, emphasized the role of partnerships in firming the aspirations of Uganda’s digital transformation roadmap. “This roadmap reminds us that people are the true roadmap. We must equip young people with resources to help us navigate today’s challenges.”
Christine Mugimba, Director of Research at the Uganda Communication Commission, expressed Uganda’s urgent need for collaboration between the academia, private sector, and government to adopt a coordinated national approach to technology and innovation, modelled on successful ecosystems such as Silicon Valley, to unlock Uganda’s full digital innovation potential.
The National Conference on Communications (NCC) was established by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to strengthen communications research and innovation. Rotating among universities across Uganda, the conference features paper presentations, workshops, competitions, and capacity-building activities to foster collaboration and promote locally relevant ICT solutions that support national development.
In its 9th edition, NCC has grown into a national hub for showcasing homegrown innovations and aligning technology with Uganda’s development goals. Co-hosted by ISBAT University and Gulu University, the 2025 theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation to Power Sustainable Local Solutions for Uganda’s Development Goals” reflects its focus on sustainability, inclusion, and digital transformation. The conference continues to serve as a bridge between research and real-world application, positioning ICT as a driver of Uganda’s growth.
