The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance has announced the innovators and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) practitioners that will represent Uganda during the Innovation Week at the Dubai Expo 2020
The Innovation week will run from the 22nd – 27th March 2022.
Themed, “Discover Africa’s Innovation Powerhouse”, the Government will celebrate Ugandan excellence and industry by profiling Ugandan talent and inviting the world to discover the opportunities that abound in the Pearl of Africa. The campaign will also highlight how innovations by Ugandans are creating solutions to the various societal challenges.
The main objectives of participating in the Expo are branding and marketing Uganda as a BPO and innovation investment destination, engaging in global conversations with other innovators from around the world, and job creation through creating partnerships.
While in Dubai, the innovators will participate in business-to-business meetings, business-to-government meetings and also showcase the value proposition of Uganda to the world to enhance investment, tourism, and trade, amongst others.
Addressing the media, ahead of the Expo, the Permanent Secretary – Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, said, “we are committed to growing the innovators and BPO practitioners and providing growth opportunities for them. The Dubai Expo 2020 is the ‘World Cup’ of innovation and BPO and therefore having our young people present is an opportunity we couldn’t let pass.”
She added that Uganda’s participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai will be an opportunity to illustrate its national aspirations in promoting digitalization, innovation and its ability to connect people. Additionally, the physical presence of the innovators/BPO practitioners at the Dubai Expo will be an opportunity for marketing Ugandan innovations and position them to benefit from export opportunities for the Ugandan enterprises in the global market.
She thanked the ministry’s partners which include Huawei Uganda, MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, NBS TV, UBC TV, Vision Group, Cente Tech and TBWA Uganda, who have made “Uganda’s participation at the Innovation week a reality.”
“Let us show the world that indeed, Uganda is Africa’s Innovation Powerhouse,” she said.
Who is representing Uganda?
The team that will represent Uganda at the Dubai Expo includes Allan Rwakatungu for Xente App, a Ugandan founded fintech and Martin Mukama from Protecting Infants Remotely by SMS (PRISMS), a mobile platform designed to empower frontline health workers in making treatment and investigation decisions for sick newborns.
Others are Hareesh Sahadevan on behalf of Emvigo Technologies, a software development, call centre solutions and BPO services company as well as Lydia Nakayenze for Oncaplanta, a developer of natural cosmetic oils under the brand Moo me Gen (Oils of Hope). Mohammed Muwonge will be representing Badaye Technologies Limited, a Ugandan technology company, that among others solutions, makes the TW20 Kit- a touchless handwashing kit that also tracks in real-time, data of handwashes.
The exhibitors were selected from a pool of innovators that expressed interest and responded to the national call that the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance issued on 28th January 2022, in print, digital and radio media. The adjudication was done by the National BPO and Innovation Council, led by Prof. William Bazeyo.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of Team Uganda, Hon Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance said, “The Government of Uganda is committed to fostering a trusted and vibrant business environment, where our businesses and workers are empowered to innovate.”
“We are cognizant that we might not be the largest from a geographical perspective nor the richest from a GDP perspective, but we do have Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Innovation that we can curve out as a niche amongst the many treasures that are resident in the nation,” reiterated Baryomunsi.
The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance is committed to building technology infrastructure and spurring a digital culture, essential enablers for the inclusive and sustainable development of Uganda.
Editors Note: This is a Press Release
