The 6th Annual Higher Education Conference 2025

About the Event

THEME: Challenges, Best Practices, and Strategies for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Higher Education in Uganda

The adaptation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Ugandan higher education holds tremendous potential for transforming the educational landscape and driving the nation’s economy. Integrating AI into the curriculum prepares students for the digital age and equips them with skills critical for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

March 24th to 25th, 2025

7AM to 5PM

Hotel Triangle

Mbarara Municipality

Guest of Honour

Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports

Hon. Jannet Kataaha Museveni

Registered Participants

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Days of Event

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Amazing Speakers

Institutions Invited

Format of the Conference

About the Event

The conference is a two-day blended event with a physical venue at Hotel Triangle Mbarara and online participation via Zoom webinar. The Conference shall adopt a plenary presentation approach with keynote speakers on the subject matter, discussion panels moderated by experts, and authors presenting their research findings.

However, the conference will adopt an approach where participants will be divided into several focused group sessions, each dedicated to a specific subtheme. This will allow participants to engage deeply with topics of their interest. The approach will enable participants to have the flexibility to move between halls, participating in sessions most relevant to their interests or expertise.

Meet our Amazing Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Professionals with vast experience in AI and Digital Technologies

Prof Azra Naseem

Senior Instructor & Associate Director Aga Khan University Network of Blended and Digital Learning

BIO:

Azra Naseem has over 20 years of experience using digital technologies for education and development in challenging environments. She led Aga Khan University’s transition to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic and now heads its Digital Learning Strategy. A Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and a volunteer with Academics Without Borders, her research focuses on human-centered design of online and blended learning, integrating AI, data, and analytics, as well as digital transformation strategies in complex contexts.

Dr. Ernest Mwebaze

ED, Sunbird AI

BIO:

He is the Executive Director of Sunbird AI, a Ugandan non-profit focused on practical AI applications for social good, supporting evidence-based decision-making and policy. Previously, he was a Research Scientist at Google AI in Accra and led the Makerere University AI Research Lab, where he also lectured in Computer Science and Machine Learning. He has also served as a Data Science Consultant with UN Pulse Lab Kampala

Presenters

Professionals with vast experience in AI and Digital Technologies

Hon. Nyombi Thembo

ED - Uganda Communications Commission

BIO:

George William Nyombi Thembo, is the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). He has been serving in the capacity of the Director of the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) since January 2017.

Mr. Collin Babirukamu

Director E-government Services

BIO:

Collin has over 20 years’ experience in leadership and business transformation using Information Technology. Before NITA-U he worked as the Cloud Territory Leader at Oracle Corporation East Africa since August 2018, he was the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Head of IT at NSSF – Uganda where he spearheaded business transformation of the back-end operations, customer facing systems and change management using innovative technology solutions.

Dr. Tyagi

Associate Professor and Dean - ISBAT University

BIO:

He is accomplished, skilled and talented faculty with diverse knowledge of imparting knowledge in the areas of Electronics and Communication Engineering. Handle various responsibilities besides teaching more than 13 years of professional experience in teaching ECE subjects. Ability to teach in a multi-ethnic and multicultural environment. Research interest includes Data/Signal modeling, Simulation and Analysis; Acoustic Image Processing; Signal processing applications and Beam forming.

Dr. Rose Nakasi

Lead Coordinator - Ocular Project

BIO:

Dr. Rose Nakasi is an accomplished Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist and Lecturer at Makerere University, where she serves as the Head of the Makerere Artificial Intelligence Health Lab. She is at the forefront of health technology innovation, leading groundbreaking projects such as the “Ocular” project, which focuses on AI-driven mobile microscopy for the diagnosis of malaria, tuberculosis, and cancer. Dr. Nakasi holds a PhD in Computer Science from Makerere University and is making significant contributions to the fields of AI and health technology. Additionally, she leads the ITU/WHO/WIPO Topic Group on “AI-Based Detection of Malaria” under the Global Initiative AI for Health (GIAI4H) and serves as a committee member on the CODATA International Data Policy Committee.

Prof. John Quinn

Director - Sunbird AI

BIO:

Prof. Quinn is a Senior Research Software Engineer at Google Research in Ghana and Research Director of Sunbird AI in Uganda. He was previously technical lead for Africa projects at United Nations Global Pulse, and Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Makerere University in Uganda.

Mr. Julius Peter Torach

Commissioner - Ministry of ICT

BIO:

Mr. Torach is a commissioner in the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. He is a Data Scientist and Digital Transformation Expert.

Dr. Joyce Nabende Nakatumba

Head - Makerere AI Lab

BIO:

Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Makerere AI Lab, holds a PhD in Computer Science from Eindhoven University. Her research spans AI, Machine Learning, NLP, and Business Process Management, with a focus on diversity and African data science capacity. She serves on ACM's Educational Advisory Committee, Data Science Africa, RAIN Africa, and ARUA–The Guild Cluster.

Dr. Lawrence Muganga

Vice Chancellor - Victoria University Uganda