The Uganda Deep Tech Centre of Excellence was formally opened in Namanve by the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat in partnership with Future Lab, the Research to Industry Centre of Excellence, the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology, and the National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Innovation Skills Enhancement Project (NSTEI-SEP).
This historic project represents a turning point in the development of deep technology and innovation in the country.
Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, hosted the launch ceremony, which was attended by Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. Dr. Musenero emphasized in her speech the Center’s contribution to Uganda’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
“With the help of this center, we hope to establish a vibrant ecosystem where deep technology drives economic change and opens up new doors for youth,” she said.
In line with Vision 2040, Dr. Musenero stated, “Our objective is to strategically enhance Uganda’s global competitiveness by positioning science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of economic growth.”
“The Deep Tech Center of Excellence is a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster innovation in cutting-edge technologies like robots, biotechnology, advanced materials, cloud computing, edge computing, quantum computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence,” she continued. As part of the Center’s opening, Lwera Semiconductors unveiled the Local Electronics Manufacturing Facility and highlighted ground-breaking inventions from Ugandan deep tech pioneers Innovex, Kaara Energy, and Tech Anatomy.
The AI for BPO program, an AI studio to assist ministries, departments, and agencies in implementing AI technology for enhanced service delivery, and a Deep Tech Venture Studio to enable innovators in creating world-class businesses are among the major initiatives unveiled during the event.
Along with projects aimed at promoting corporate venture financing and commercializing university research, the center will also host a local data repository and exchange program.
According to its Future of Jobs Report 2025, the World Economic Forum projects that by 2030, there will be over 100 million jobs in the fast-growing global deep tech sector.
With the potential to create high-value jobs, boost investment in research-driven businesses, and build a strong deep-tech ecosystem, Uganda stands to gain a great deal from the center.
The Center is in line with Uganda’s larger Industry 4.0+ framework, according to David Gonahasa, Lead of the Industry 4.0+ Bureau at the STI Secretariat.
This program is a component of Uganda’s plan to spur innovation in cutting-edge technology sectors, providing the nation a competitive advantage on a worldwide scale. Uganda can take the lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution by integrating deep tech innovation, he said.
“We are focused on providing unparalleled access to world-class R&D and commercialization infrastructure, nurturing the technical, research, entrepreneurial, and management talent necessary to lead this emerging space,” stated Arthur Mukembo, CEO of Future Lab and co-founder of the center, underscoring the strategic significance of the facility. We want to address important issues including youth unemployment, low agricultural production, and restricted access to healthcare by utilizing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, big data analytics, and the internet of things.
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Biotechnology, Advanced Materials, Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, and Quantum Computing are just a few of the cutting-edge technologies in which the center will build expertise.
According to 2022 research by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), investments in deep tech firms more than doubled since 2016 to reach $60 billion in 2021.
Notwithstanding this business niche, the partners recognized the difficulties that lie ahead, stressing the necessity of strong public-private collaborations, the development of infrastructure, and a progressive legislative environment to support research and protect intellectual property.
The establishment of the Deep Tech Centre of Excellence demonstrates Uganda’s unwavering resolve to emerge as Africa’s preeminent hub for deep technology innovation.
Uganda is paving the way for a future in which technology propels equitable economic growth and worldwide competitiveness through audacious investments and a cooperative strategy.
