KIU’s IRDeC 2026: Government Pushes AI Skills, Research and Digital Innovation for Economic Growth

Government has called on universities to strengthen digital skills training, invest in research and innovation, and align their curricula with the rapidly evolving demands of the global technology sector as Uganda positions itself to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies for economic transformation.

The call was made during the official opening of the 2026 International Research and Development Conference (IRDeC) at Kampala International University (KIU) Main Campus on October 12, bringing together researchers, academicians, innovators, industry leaders and students to explore how digital technologies can improve workforce efficiency, accelerate industrialisation and support national development.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Eng. Irene Karungi, a Senior ICT Infrastructure Engineer at the ministry, applauded KIU for providing a platform that connects academia, government and industry to address emerging technological challenges and opportunities.

Karungi described artificial intelligence as a key driver of economic transformation and improved workforce efficiency, emphasising the importance of equipping young people with the digital competencies required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven labour market.

She noted that technological advancements are changing how industries operate, how public services are delivered and how businesses create value, making it necessary for educational institutions to prepare graduates for the future of work.

Karungi also highlighted the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance's upcoming National AI and Emerging Technology Strategy, which prioritises artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, robotics and drones.

The strategy is expected to provide a framework for harnessing emerging technologies to support innovation, improve productivity and advance Uganda's digital transformation agenda.

She urged universities to keep their curricula responsive to developments in the global technology sector, noting that graduates need practical, relevant and adaptable skills to remain competitive as new technologies reshape employment and industry.

Her remarks underscored the importance of closer collaboration between government, universities and the private sector in developing a workforce capable of translating technological advances into tangible economic benefits.

KIU challenges universities to prepare graduates for the digital economy

Speaking on behalf of KIU Vice Chancellor Prof. Ngoma Muhammed, Dr. Mustafa Mundu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, welcomed Karungi, conference participants, academics and other invited guests.

Mundu observed that the rapid pace of technological change requires deeper reflection on how digital innovation and artificial intelligence can be harnessed to benefit society.

He challenged universities to go beyond producing graduates with academic qualifications and instead nurture innovative thinkers capable of creating opportunities, transforming their communities and making informed decisions in an increasingly digital world.

He emphasised the need for higher education institutions to prepare students to respond to changing labour-market demands while developing solutions to the economic and social challenges facing their communities.

The conference theme, “The Role of Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Workforce Efficiency, Economic Transformation and Industrialisation,” places the relationship between technological advancement and national development at the centre of discussions.

Through presentations, research exchanges and engagement among participants, IRDeC 2026 seeks to examine how emerging technologies can strengthen productivity, improve industrial processes and create new opportunities for economic growth.

The gathering also provides a platform for researchers and innovators to share ideas, establish partnerships and explore practical applications of technology across different sectors.

KIU calls for stronger investment in research and innovation

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of KIU Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Hassan Basajjabalaba, Council Member Dr. Ambrose Kibuuka called for increased investment in research and innovation, describing them as essential foundations for sustainable development and evidence-based decision-making.

Kibuuka highlighted KIU's progress in strengthening its research systems, expanding online learning, developing its Digital Innovation Hub and establishing strategic partnerships aimed at advancing technological innovation.

He noted that universities have an important role to play in generating knowledge, developing new technologies and producing research that can inform government policy, industrial development and community transformation.

However, he called for more equitable access to research funding, urging stakeholders to ensure that private universities are given merit-based opportunities to compete for support for their research and innovation initiatives.

According to Kibuuka, widening access to research financing would enable more institutions to contribute to scientific discovery, technological development and solutions to challenges affecting society.

He also appealed to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to support KIU's Digital Innovation Hub with equipment that would enable researchers and innovators to develop, test and refine practical technological solutions.

Such support, he noted, would strengthen the capacity of young innovators to turn ideas into functional products and services that respond to real-world needs.

Kibuuka further challenged conference participants to move beyond discussions and declarations by translating their ideas into practical initiatives with measurable benefits for communities, businesses and the country at large.

Bridging academia, government and industry

The conference highlights the growing importance of collaboration among universities, government institutions and the private sector in advancing Uganda's digital economy.

While universities provide research expertise and develop the skills needed by the workforce, government plays a central role in shaping policy and creating an enabling environment for innovation. Industry, meanwhile, offers opportunities to test, commercialise and scale new technologies.

Stronger cooperation among these stakeholders can help bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications, ensuring that innovations developed in universities respond to the needs of businesses, public institutions and communities.

The emphasis on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies also reflects the need for Uganda to prepare its workforce for changes in production, service delivery and employment.

From data analytics and robotics to blockchain and the Internet of Things, these technologies present opportunities to improve efficiency and develop new solutions, while also requiring investment in digital infrastructure, relevant skills, research capacity and responsible technology adoption.

For universities, this creates an opportunity to review teaching approaches, strengthen practical training and establish partnerships that expose students to real-world technological challenges.

For government and industry, it reinforces the importance of supporting research, providing appropriate infrastructure and creating pathways through which promising innovations can move from laboratories and innovation hubs into wider use.

As IRDeC 2026 brings together stakeholders from different sectors, its central challenge will be to translate the discussions into practical partnerships, research initiatives and innovations that contribute to Uganda's economic transformation.

The conference therefore places KIU at the centre of discussions on how higher education, digital innovation and artificial intelligence can work together to build a skilled workforce, strengthen industrialisation and support sustainable national development.