• The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance’s National Innovation Initiative Support Program (NIISP) has launched the Soroti University ICT Innovation Hub to facilitate the growth of an ICT innovation ecosystem and marketplace for Ugandan innovative digital products.

• The Soroti University ICT Innovation Hub will promote access to and availability of affordable ICT solutions for the local communities and the public and export these ideas to foreign missions.

• This program underpins Uganda’s Digital Vision 2040 strategic intent of transforming Uganda into a digitally enabled society that is innovative, productive, and competitive.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Soroti, Uganda– The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance’s National Innovation Initiative Support Program (NIISP) has launched an innovation hub dubbed the Soroti University ICT Innovation Hub to equip the youth with innovation space, digital skills, and connectivity. This move is geared towards fortifying the country’s digital transformation agenda.

The Government of Uganda designed the National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP) to facilitate the creation of an ICT innovation ecosystem and marketplace for Ugandan innovative digital products. The NIISP tackles bottlenecks to creating a digital ecosystem by promoting the development and deployment of applications to create an open ecosystem in Uganda that shall enable the government, companies, and individuals to innovate and reach new markets.

During her opening remarks, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, expressed her gratitude towards the attainment of this milestone.

“In the financial year 2021-2022, the Ministry provided funds amounting to 750,000,000 UGX (seven hundred and fifty million shillings) for the establishment of the regional ICT innovation hubs in the universities of Soroti, Kabale, and Muni in Arua; each receiving two hundred fifty million (250,000,000 UGX). This would not only increase the uptake of ICTs in higher institutions of learning but also increase the uptake of ICT among the business community and other professional service providers, let alone increase job creation for the local community. What a joy seeing that the Soroti ICT Innovation Hub is ready!” Dr. Zawedde stated.

Dr. Zawedde added that the ICT Innovation Hub will create solutions as per the digital transformation roadmap that address a lack of opportunities and challenges currently facing the youth, the majority yet the most vulnerable group in Uganda.

In the launch event held at Soroti University in Soroti District, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, said that the Soroti University ICT Innovation Hub provides the government with a unique opportunity to address a critical gap in linking digital skills training with job creation.

“The innovation hub is not all about generating ideas but ensuring that these ideas have been turned into realities that have the power to make a difference in society. This hub will serve as a launchpad for innovation-driven entrepreneurship.” Said Hon. Baryomunsi

Prof. John Robert Ikoja, the Vice Chancellor of Soroti University, thanked the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for the state-of-the-art ICT Innovation facility and equipment. He added that this would go on to help young people in Soroti, both within and outside of the university to develop community solutions to community problems.