Makerere University has launched the Makerere University Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Mak-CAD), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at positioning Uganda as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation. The Centre will focus on leveraging AI to address challenges in healthcare, agriculture, climate action, and economic development while ensuring responsible and ethical AI deployment.
Under the theme “Building Responsible AI Research and Innovations for Impact,” the launch event emphasized the need for Africa to actively engage in AI development rather than remain a passive consumer of global advancements. AI is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, and Makerere University is stepping forward to ensure that Africa is not left behind.
Mak-CAD will serve as a premier AI research and training hub, equipping the next generation of African AI experts. It will operate through two specialized research labs:
- The Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, housed within the Department of Computer Science.
- The Marconi Machine Learning Lab, based in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
These labs will incubate AI-driven solutions, focusing on enhancing data quality, policy integration, and ethical AI applications tailored to Africa’s unique needs.
The Centre has been established with funding from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It also collaborates with Google, Wellcome, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). These partnerships will support knowledge exchange, increase research capacity, and drive AI-powered solutions that have tangible benefits for African societies.
Speaking at the launch, HE Tiffany Kirlew, Deputy British High Commissioner to Uganda, praised Makerere University’s leadership in AI research. She emphasized AI’s potential to revolutionize critical sectors such as healthcare, food security, and economic growth, particularly in regions with limited access to essential services. She also reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s AI ecosystem through research funding, digital skills training, and scholarships.
Makerere University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the importance of Africa actively participating in AI’s global evolution. “As far as artificial intelligence is concerned, will Africa be left behind again?” he posed, highlighting the need for Africa to shift from being a consumer of AI technologies to a key innovator and contributor.
The establishment of Mak-CAD marks a defining moment for AI research in Africa. Beyond academia, the Centre signals Africa’s readiness to shape its AI destiny and harness emerging technologies for sustainable development. With the right investments and collaborations, Makerere University’s AI and Data Science Centre has the potential to drive transformative change across the continent.
Article by RB Reporter
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