Busitema University has officially launched the MTN Spark Hub at Busitema Campus, opening a new space where students, innovators and surrounding communities can build digital skills, test ideas and develop solutions to challenges beyond the classroom.

The Hub was launched on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, at the Technology Business Incubation and Innovation Centre (TBIIC) at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Dr Amina Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony, which brought together University leadership, MTN Uganda Foundation, Cente-Tech, government representatives, students and other partners.

The launch placed particular emphasis on what the facility should enable people to do rather than simply the technology installed inside it. Dr Zawedde said digital inclusion can no longer be understood only in terms of access to technology, but must also equip people with the skills, tools and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in a changing economy.

She said facilities such as the Spark Hub can provide young people with practical spaces to incubate ideas, turn them into innovations and respond to challenges within their communities, including creating new opportunities for employment.

Dr Zawedde also linked the Hub to Uganda's wider digital transformation agenda, noting that the country is prioritising digital infrastructure, connectivity, innovation hubs, data centres and access to devices as part of efforts to expand participation in the digital economy. She emphasised that this transformation requires collaboration between government, universities, the private sector and other partners.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako welcomed the Hub as a space where students can move beyond classroom learning, practise their skills and turn knowledge into something useful.

Prof. Waako described the occasion as an important moment for the University, saying the new infrastructure will support the implementation of competence-based education and ongoing curriculum reforms. He thanked MTN and the other partners for investing in Busitema University and pledged that the University would take care of the facility and ensure that it serves both students and the wider community.

Representing MTN Uganda Foundation, SC-Trustee Francis Gimara described the Spark Hub as an investment in Uganda's digital future, particularly at a time when young people make up a large part of the country's population.

He said preparing young people to participate in the digital economy is no longer optional and encouraged students to use the Hub to build practical skills, collaborate with others and develop innovations that can create value in their communities.

His remarks went beyond internet access. He pointed to the need for mentorship, collaboration and training in high-demand areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software development, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

Peter Kahiigi, Chief Technology Officer at Cente-Tech, encouraged students from different academic backgrounds to make use of the facility rather than viewing it as a space reserved for those studying computing or engineering.

He noted that students today have access to infrastructure and opportunities that were not available to many earlier generations and urged them to take full advantage of the Hub. He also recognised Busitema University's early commitment to the programme through providing space, staff support and the institutional environment needed for the facility.

Kahiigi said the broader plan is to establish innovation infrastructure in different regions so that universities and surrounding communities can benefit from improved access to technology and innovation opportunities.

Within the University, the launch also sparked a wider conversation about moving from consuming technology to creating it.

Prof. Samson Rwahwire, Director of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, speaking on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, Prof. Saphina Biira, challenged students to think about what they can build and which problems they can solve using the resources available to them.

"This is the time when Africa rises," he said, urging young people to become innovators and producers of technology rather than remaining only consumers.

He also challenged government to continue investing in research and innovation, arguing that stronger research funding is necessary if universities are to contribute more effectively to a knowledge-driven economy.

Associate Professor Gilbert Gilibrays Ocen also emphasised the responsibility that comes with the new facility. With Busitema University operating across several campuses, he expressed hope that similar opportunities could eventually reach other parts of the University. He pledged the support of the Directorate of ICT in maintaining the equipment and ensuring that it remains useful to students and communities.

The potential of the Hub was also reflected in the experience of students already using the space. Hosea, one of the student beneficiaries, spoke about working with a team developing the Capital Farmer project.

He said access to the Spark Hub has enabled the team to build, test, fail, improve and continue working on ideas without losing momentum. His testimony brought the day's discussions back to the practical purpose of the facility: giving young innovators room to experiment and learn through doing.

He also pointed to possibilities beyond the University, including helping local artisans and other community members keep pace with changing technologies. 

Dr Olivia Aketch of AniScholar Career Hub highlighted the importance of keeping young people connected to emerging opportunities in the digital economy. She spoke about digital skills development initiatives aimed at helping students acquire competencies that remain relevant beyond their academic qualifications.

The student perspective was reinforced by Busitema University Guild representative Sikoria Aggrey, who welcomed the facility and said it responds to needs among students for practical skills, employment opportunities and platforms that can help them prepare for life after university.

The Spark Hub is, however, not intended for students alone. A recurring message throughout the launch was that surrounding communities should also be able to benefit from the infrastructure, training and technical support available through the facility.

That community focus is particularly important for a university whose teaching, research and innovation are closely connected to the needs of the people around it. The Hub provides an opportunity for students, local innovators, artisans and other community members to meet around technology, exchange knowledge and explore solutions together

With the MTN Spark Hub now open at Busitema Campus, students, innovators and surrounding communities have a new space to learn, experiment and turn ideas into practical solutions. The impact of the Hub will ultimately be seen in the skills it builds, the innovations it supports and the opportunities it creates beyond the launch day.