By Our Reporter
Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, has expressed gratitude to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for their support in renovating and expanding the National ICT Innovation Hub.
“We want to thank the UNDP for the partnership and support as we move into the future,” said Baryomunsi while welcoming H.E. Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, for a tour of the hub on Monday.
“We have so many young people who have an interest in ICT and they can come here and write their proposals, make applications, and push their innovations. The UNDP has provided us with a lot of support to do much more work here. We therefore call upon the young people to make good use of it.” Baryomunsi added.
The tour follows a major facelift of the facility which is located in Nakawa. The hub is now a one-of-kind facility equipped with an auditorium, and various thinking spaces, among other amenities.
According to Amina Zawedde, the ICT Ministry Permanent Secretary, the refurbishment aimed to bring the National ICT Innovation Hub up to modern standards, creating an environment to foster creativity and innovation.
On her part, H.E. Eziakonwa revealed that UNDP’s investment in initiatives like the innovation hub aligns with their goal of making prosperity a shared commodity while emphasizing that there is need to provide equal opportunities for talent across regions.
“Talent is the one thing that doesn’t discriminate; you will find talent in Karamoja as much as you will in Kampala. The only difference is the opportunity. This centre therefore represents opportunity for that talent to flourish and cross borders.” She said.