Ministry of ICT Challenges Universities to Curtail Foreign Tech Reliance

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and National Guidance has challenged Soroti University to lead Uganda’s technological revolution by cutting down the heavy reliance on foreign tech solutions by multinational corporations operating in the country.

Speaking to students at the School of Engineering and Technology, Mr. Amos Mpungu, the acting Commissioner for E-Services at the ministry, highlighted that major corporations such as telecommunications and financial giants continue to import software that local public universities possess the capability to build.

Mr. Mpungu noted that while the government has partnered with various public institutions to set up innovation hubs, bridging the gap between raw concepts and commercial viability remains a core hurdle. Scaling ideas into marketable products requires better intellectual property harnessing and financial backing.

To help overcome these hurdles, the ministry is collaborating with international bodies like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to foster global market access. JICA expert Mr. Shimpei Watanabe stated that partnerships are expanding to link Ugandan innovation hubs with international technological sectors, particularly across universities like Soroti, Muni, Busitema, and Mbarara.

Academic leaders at Soroti University echoed the call for action. Dr. Florence Favor, deputy dean at the School of Engineering and Technology, urged students to transform their technical concepts into practical, money-generating outputs before graduation. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Prof. John Robert Ikoja Odongo reiterated that building a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem remains a vital national priority for driving employment and public value.

For more details on this story, read the original report on Daily Monitor.