Government to set up innovation hubs

Kampala.

Information minister Frank Tumwebaze has pledged to push for the construction of innovation hubs in Kampala.

Speaking during the ICT Innovators Forum organised by the Uganda Communications Commission in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb, on Tuesday, Mr Tumwebaze said there is a need for a collective centre for innovators if government is to sufficiently support ICT innovations.

“Someone talked of mentorship and subsidised internet but where do I find you to mentor you or to subsidise internet? That means there must be a common centre or we should have these public hubs so that we can come in,” he said.

Mr Tumwebaze said the innovation hub will ease the exportation of ICT products to other markets that innovators cannot currently penetrate.
He said the ministry will explore areas that can accommodate basic infrastructure for ICT in Kampala before rolling out the initiative across the country.

“We can start with Kampala and once we find it is successful, we shall spread to other regions such as in Mbarara University of Science and Technology,” he said.

The minister also revealed that government will look into the development of a framework for support in form of fiscal and physical support for ICT.

This came after scores of ICT innovators listed poor funding, death and low uptake of ICT innovations in Uganda as the major problems hindering the sector’s development.

About the hub
An innovation hub is a social community, work space or research centre that provides expertise on technology trends, knowledge and strategic innovation management. Hubs build skills and facilitate entrepreneurship partnerships.