The African Development Bank, in partnership with Kabale University, has launched a Sh1.058 billion Business Incubation Center at Kabale University with the aim of fostering youth innovation and supporting women entrepreneurs to create reputable enterprises that improve social welfare and contribute to national development.
Speaking at the launch, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joy Kwesiga, said the center was established to answer the question of how universities can support youth job creation to solve the problem of unemployment in the Kigezi sub-region.
“In 2022, the then United Nations Development Program Uganda Country Representative, Her Excellency Elsie Attafau, paid a courtesy visit to Kabale University and we presented several proposals, but the idea of establishing a business incubation center caught her eye. When Her Excellency Elsie Attafaw left, Her Excellency left Kabale University.” We are grateful for UNDP’s support, ranging from the provision of state-of-the-art equipment, ICT infrastructure, conferencing systems, and equipment procurement, which is worth N1.058 billion (US$290,000),” said Professor Kwesiga.
He said the project shows that innovation is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and reaffirms the university’s commitment to becoming a university for community change, where ideas are not just taught, but practiced, tested and turned into solutions.
“The center will particularly foster entrepreneurship and incubation support, upskilling programs, research and commercialization, and community engagement. The business incubation center model combines both equity and fee-based approaches to ensure sustainability while nurturing start-ups that can eventually become independent,” Professor Kwesiga said.
UNDP Uganda Representative Nwanne Huwede Obahor commended the Kabale University authorities for their exceptional leadership and the Uganda Development Bank for their partnership with UNDP in the design and establishment of the Business Incubation Center and the support of the flagship program within the Incubation Center, the Potato Value Chain Program.
“This launch comes at a pivotal time as Uganda implements the Fourth National Development Program (NDPIV), which prioritizes agricultural industrialization and innovation as drivers of job creation, import substitution and inclusive growth. I am optimistic that this business incubation center will become a regional innovation hub serving students, farmers, small businesses and entrepreneurs. Youth and women in the region should seize these opportunities for innovation, enterprise creation and livelihood transformation.” UNDP stands ready to continue providing technical, strategic and catalytic support to deepen impact and scale successful models across the country,” said Nwanne Fwede Obahor.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Kedres Tulyajenda, who was represented by the guest of honour, Haji Muzammil Mkwatampora, said the established center will bridge the gap between knowledge and enterprise development, what can be taught and what can be done.
