Makerere University and RENU Commission AI Cloud to Accelerate Uganda’s Digital Transformation

Makerere University  and the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU)  have commissioned the National AI Research Cloud, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s digital infrastructure development. The platform is designed to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) research, development, and innovation by providing high-performance computing capacity and secure storage for research datasets.

The facility was officially launched on March 13, 2026, by Dr. Monica Musenero, Uganda’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, during the AI Innovation Academy Demo Day held at Makerere University’s School of Public Health Auditorium. The initiative forms part of the AI Innovation Academy, implemented by Pathogen Economy Labs (PEL) in partnership with Marconi Lab and the Mak AI Centre, with support from the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat under the Office of the President.

The National AI Research Cloud is expected to play a critical role in supporting Uganda’s growing AI ecosystem. While the Demo Day showcased emerging innovators and prototypes, the new infrastructure provides the computing power and storage needed to scale these innovations from academic projects into real-world applications. The initial deployment includes GPU-enabled servers and dedicated storage capacity, enabling researchers to train and test AI models efficiently.

In addition to computing power, the platform will support secure data storage and management, allowing researchers to retain, manage, and reuse datasets for AI training and validation. This is expected to strengthen responsible research practices and improve the quality and scalability of AI solutions developed in the country.

The infrastructure will initially serve participants of the AI Innovation Academy, which combines technical training in AI and machine learning with business incubation and investor readiness support. Over time, the platform is expected to expand into a national resource accessible to government institutions, universities, startups, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

The initiative reflects Uganda’s broader ambition to build local AI capabilities aligned with national priorities. By lowering the cost and infrastructure barriers associated with AI development, the National AI Research Cloud is set to accelerate innovation, foster collaboration, and enable the development of scalable solutions that address societal challenges.

Overall, the commissioning represents a significant step in strengthening Uganda’s innovation pipeline, positioning the country to play a more active role in the global AI landscape while supporting economic growth and technological advancement.