Simplifi Networks, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Uganda and the Uganda ICT Association (ICTAU), hosted a high-level half-day forum on artificial intelligence aimed at equipping Ugandan entrepreneurs and business leaders with practical insights into AI opportunities.
The event, titled “State of AI for Entrepreneurs and Ugandan Businesses”, took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa.
U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William W. Popp, opened the forum by stressing that the AI era is already underway and is transforming economies globally, including in Uganda.
“AI is here, it is now, and it is already transforming economies around the world,” Ambassador Popp said, highlighting the United States’ strong commitment to AI leadership through investment in innovation and global partnerships.
Vivek Mohindra, an internationally recognised AI and technology expert with experience at Dell Technologies, McKinsey & Company, and other leading firms, delivered the main presentation.
He encouraged participants to view AI not as a single superior technology but as a diverse ecosystem of tools best suited to specific challenges.
A key theme was the rise of agentic AI — systems capable of autonomous perception, decision-making, and action — which Mohindra described as the next major wave of technological transformation.
Grace Achire Labong, Director and Head of Stakeholders Engagement at the ICT Association of Uganda, underscored ICT’s role as a foundational enabler for Uganda’s priority sectors, including agriculture, tourism, minerals, and services.
“ICT is not just a sector, it is an enabler that cuts across all others,” she said, adding that Uganda is already developing national frameworks and policy guidelines for responsible AI adoption.
Discussions also focused on the importance of data governance, ethical AI use, and the need for balanced regulatory frameworks that stimulate innovation while protecting consumers.
Speakers identified three critical pillars for unlocking AI’s potential in Uganda: infrastructure development (including data centres and reliable energy), workforce development to build AI-ready talent, and agile regulatory frameworks.
The forum concluded with a strong message of optimism. Ambassador Popp encouraged Uganda’s entrepreneurs and youth to take centre stage in building the country’s AI ecosystem.
The ICT Association of Uganda announced plans for its National ICT Summit in September 2026, which will further explore technology’s role in accelerating growth across key sectors.
