The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has awarded research grants worth UGX182.6 million to nine innovation projects in a move aimed at accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation and strengthening the country’s knowledge-based economy.
The grants, unveiled on Thursday under the UCC Research Support and Collaboration Framework 2022–2025, are to support technology-driven solutions in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare communication, smart energy systems, digital privacy, sign language innovation, and green waste recycling.
The initiative underscores growing investment in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem as regulators and academic institutions increasingly focus on developing home-grown technologies capable of solving pressing social and industrial challenges.
Speaking during the announcement, Nyombi Thembo, the UCC Executive Director, said collaboration between academia and industry remains critical in helping Uganda navigate a rapidly evolving digital economy.
“Research should not remain a purely academic exercise,” Thembo said.
“It must translate into practical solutions that address the real challenges facing communities, businesses and the country’s digital transformation agenda.”
He noted that the strong response of 212 applications from universities and research institutions across the country demonstrates Uganda’s growing innovation and research capacity.
“Out of these applications, only nine exceptional projects were selected to receive funding amounting to UGX182,630,228,” he said.
Several of the winning proposals focus on Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity – sectors increasingly viewed as critical to Uganda’s digital infrastructure, financial security, and future competitiveness.
Among the funded projects is a cybersecurity initiative by Busitema University researcher Ignatius Balayo, titled, Privacy Preservation in Mobile Networks Using Machine Learning.
The project seeks to address growing concerns over user privacy within Uganda’s expanding digital ecosystem through a decentralised AI framework designed to protect personal data from exposure to central servers.
Using technologies such as Federated Learning and Differential Privacy, the system enables AI tools to learn directly from user devices without transferring sensitive information externally an approach expected to improve digital trust and strengthen data security.
The proposal also aligns with Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, and is expected to support the country’s transition towards secure 5G and future 6G communication systems.
Another notable project comes from Kampala International University researcher Okiria Jobbers, whose proposal focuses on AI-powered real-time anomaly detection in large-scale data streams.
The technology is designed to instantly identify suspicious financial and digital activities by analysing transaction patterns and network behaviour in real time.
Researchers say the system can process up to one million transactions daily while detecting irregular activities such as simultaneous ATM withdrawals from different locations and unusual agent banking patterns.
UCC officials believe the innovation could strengthen Uganda’s cybersecurity resilience, improve protection of financial systems, and enhance public confidence in digital services as the country deepens financial inclusion and digital commerce.
In the energy sector, researchers from Soroti University proposed the development of a credit-based electricity access system targeting households and small businesses affected by irregular incomes and frequent power disconnections.
The project, led by researchers Kawuma Latiif and Balinda Roland Mujungu, aims to create a flexible electricity payment model that allows consumers to access power through affordable credit arrangements.
UCC said the initiative reflects UCC’s broader strategy of supporting innovations with direct social and economic impact, particularly solutions capable of expanding digital inclusion and improving service accessibility.
The funded projects are expected to move beyond academic research into commercially viable and scalable applications capable of creating jobs, improving digital safety, and accelerating Uganda’s transition into a technology-driven economy.
