Busitema University is set to become Eastern Uganda's regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship following a high-level stakeholder engagement aimed at establishing a platform that will connect community innovators with government, industry and investment opportunities.

The two-day engagement, held from 29-30 June 2026 at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC), local government leaders, community innovators and Busitema University staff to lay the foundation for the Area-Based Community Development (ABCD) Portal sub-regional hub.

Once operational, the hub will be coordinated through Busitema University's Technology Business Incubation and Innovation Centre (TBIIC), positioning the University as the focal point for identifying, nurturing and commercialising innovations from across Eastern Uganda. The initiative seeks to accelerate the growth of community-based enterprises capable of creating jobs, adding value to local products, boosting exports and improving household incomes.

Opening the workshop on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, Assoc. Prof. Saphiina Biira, welcomed participants and reaffirmed Busitema University's commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation for national development.

She commended the ABCD Portal team for selecting Busitema University to host the engagement, noting that the University's strong foundation in applied research, innovation and community engagement makes it well placed to champion the regional initiative. She also highlighted the University's academic programmes and innovation agenda, which continue to produce practical solutions to address societal challenges.

Speaking during the engagement, University Innovations Officer Mr. Chris Bagoole said the Technology Business Incubation and Innovation Centre will provide innovators with access to mentorship, partnerships, business development support and opportunities to showcase their innovations to potential investors and government programmes.

He noted that local government leaders from across Eastern Uganda had been invited to the engagement to strengthen collaboration in identifying promising innovators within their districts and linking them to the regional hub.

Project Development Officer for the ABCD Portal, Mr. Ramathan Nkuttu, explained that the initiative was developed by the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre to bridge the gap between innovators and the support systems needed to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises.

He observed that many talented innovators, particularly those operating within communities, often lack visibility despite developing practical solutions to local challenges. Through the establishment of regional hubs in public universities, the initiative seeks to provide innovators with incubation space, technical support, mentorship and access to financing.

Participants engaged in technical working sessions covering start-up selection, portfolio management, governance, infrastructure, partnerships, communication, branding and sustainability. The recommendations generated will guide the establishment and operation of the Eastern Uganda innovation hub.

The second day focused on co-creating innovation workspaces, with MIIC facilitating practical sessions for Busitema University heads of department and staff innovators. Discussions centred on incubation programme management, business models, stakeholder engagement, compliance and risk management as the University continues benchmarking MIIC's successful incubation model.

The engagement marked an important milestone in Busitema University's efforts to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and deepen collaboration with government, local authorities and industry. As implementation of the ABCD Portal progresses, the University is expected to play a leading role in supporting innovators across Eastern Uganda to transform ideas into viable enterprises that contribute to regional and national economic development.