Overview:

MTN Uganda and the Ministry of ICT launch the first regional MTN Spark Hub at Kabale University, a 4 billion shilling investment in youth digital skilling.

KABALE, Uganda – MTN Uganda has expanded its ACE program with the launch of the first regional innovation hub at Kabale University, marking a 4 billion shilling investment designed to decentralize digital skills and entrepreneurship.

The MTN Spark Hub, commissioned in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Centenary Technology Services, is the first of four planned regional centers intended to reach 20,000 students and community members across Uganda.

Dr. Amina Zawedde, permanent secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said the facility is a key step in realizing the government’s Digital Transformation Roadmap by moving resources outside of Kampala.

“The Kabale Spark Hub is exactly what the roadmap calls for,” Zawedde said. “It gives young Ugandans the tools, the connectivity, and the environment to become creators and innovators rather than job seekers.”

William Bazeeyo, an MTN Uganda Foundation board member, described the expansion as a deliberate move to reach talent in rural areas. He noted that the initiative aligns with the Fourth National Development Plan’s goal of creating 885,000 jobs annually.

“Talent is widely distributed, even where access is not,” Bazeeyo said. “By investing in digital infrastructure, we are enabling young people to turn ideas into viable solutions.”

Kabale University Vice Chancellor Joy Kwesiga welcomed the hub as a transformative tool that bridges the gap between academic theory and practical market skills. She said the facility provides the community with a unique physical space designed specifically for the global digital economy.

The hub’s design was managed by Centenary Technology Services. Peter Kahiigi, the firm’s chief technology officer, said the space was engineered to spur unconventional thinking, featuring open layouts and high-speed LAN connectivity instead of a standard computer lab.

“When a young person walks into this space, the room itself tells them: think differently. Build something. The world is waiting,” Kahiigi said.

The MTN ACE program plans to open its next regional hub at Busitema University in May, followed by centers in Gulu and Soroti.