Under the theme “Leveraging AI for Sustainable Transformation: Leading in Uganda’s Transformation in the Age of Disruptive AI,” the 16th Annual CEO Forum 2025 convened in Kampala, bringing together top government officials, business leaders, academics, and development partners to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can accelerate Uganda’s journey toward sustainable development.
Representing Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, the University Secretary, reaffirmed Makerere’s position as the country’s central hub for AI research, innovation, and capacity building.
“Makerere University is responsible for research, innovation and training to ensure transferable knowledge that can be utilised by both the private and public sector,” Kiranda said, stressing that Uganda’s AI transformation will depend on effective policy, governance, and collaboration across sectors.
Makerere’s Vision for an AI-Ready Uganda
In his remarks, Mr. Kiranda highlighted three key priorities for Uganda to fully harness the power of AI:
Balancing control and facilitation – Policymakers must regulate AI responsibly while also enabling innovation and competitiveness.
Sovereignty of AI – Uganda must safeguard its data and resources, particularly in agriculture and other strategic sectors.
Regional harmonisation – East African countries must align AI policies to ensure fair competition across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
“If a policy is making Uganda less competitive, we must revise it now to allow private sector players to thrive in this disruptive age,” Kiranda noted.
He also underscored Makerere’s commitment to producing AI-ready graduates, integrating technology in teaching and learning, and maintaining strong academia–industry–government partnerships to develop market-ready innovations.
The forum’s opening keynote, delivered by Dr. Robin Kibuka, Board Director at the CEO Summit Uganda, urged Africans to take control of their digital future.
“Artificial Intelligence can empower Africa or divide it. The choice is ours,” he warned.
Dr. Kibuka’s presentation, titled “Building Africa’s Digital Destiny: Kampala Rising, Africa Inventing,” showcased success stories such as AI-powered drones delivering medical supplies and smart credit systems helping small businesses access finance — proof, he said, that “Africa is already inventing its own digital future.”
Delivering the international keynote, Dr. Preeti Aghalayam, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras – Zanzibar Campus, described AI as “the defining disruptor of the 21st century.”
“Artificial Intelligence must help us do better and be better,” she said. “Africa and India share a unique opportunity to collaborate in education, innovation, and human capital development to shape an inclusive digital future.”
Her message emphasized responsible innovation — technology that uplifts communities, enhances sustainability, and bridges inequality rather than deepening it.
In his presentation on “Digital Transformation in the Health Sector,” Mr. Rashid Khalani, CEO of Aga Khan University Hospital, showcased real-world examples of AI improving healthcare delivery in Uganda.
He cited AI-powered radiology systems that detect anomalies faster, predictive models for sepsis detection, and digital tools for mental health support, noting that the technology’s true value lies in complementing human expertise.
“AI is not replacing people. It is empowering them to deliver better care, faster,” Khalani emphasized.
He called for stronger partnerships between hospitals, universities, and tech innovators to create localized AI solutions that address Africa’s unique health challenges.
Throughout the forum, speakers repeatedly highlighted Makerere University’s central role in steering Uganda’s AI-driven transformation — from research and policy guidance to training and innovation.
Mr. Kiranda reaffirmed that the university’s collaborations with government entities and development partners are already yielding results, with Makerere leading the charge in developing practical, scalable digital solutions.
As the discussions closed, one consensus stood out: Africa’s digital destiny will be shaped not by imported solutions, but by its own innovators, institutions, and ideas.
And at the heart of that movement — Makerere University remains the torchbearer for Uganda’s smart, inclusive, and sustainable AI future.
