Kabale University has launched a USD 290,000 (about Shs1.06 billion) Business Incubation Centre aimed at equipping students, staff, and community members with skills in value addition and agri-processing to boost innovation and job creation. The facility was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Speaking during the launch on Thursday, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Kwesiga, said the initiative marks a new phase in the institution’s contribution to community development.
Prof. Kwesiga noted that the centre will support national efforts toward attaining middle-income status by enhancing farmers’ productivity and creating market opportunities.
“Farmers are going to be involved, and they will greatly benefit through improved access to markets, especially local ones that require low operational costs. This will be very helpful to potato farmers,” she said.
She added that the incubation centre will transform the mindset of students, staff, and the wider community and emphasized the need for more laboratories and staff to strengthen research and innovation at the university, which currently has over 7,000 students.
UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda, Nwanne Verde Obahor, commended Kabale University for its commitment to promoting value addition and market linkages.
“Our programme targets 150,000 farmers and aims to create over 10,000 jobs in Uganda. Although the Kigezi highlands contribute 60% of national potato production, yields remain low. This centre will improve productivity through clean seed production and climate-smart agronomy,” she said.
She further explained that the facility will support value-addition infrastructure, including crisp and flake processing lines, and strengthen business incubation, commercialization, access to finance, and market opportunities.
“Uganda consumes 850,000 metric tons of potatoes annually but produces only 300,000. This gap presents an opportunity for innovators. Innovation is a major driver of entrepreneurship and employment,” Obahor noted.
She highlighted that according to the Global Innovation Index 2024, Uganda ranks 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa in innovation capacity, with over 1,200 startups registered in 2024—60% youth-led and 40% women-led. The innovation ecosystem supports over 120,000 jobs, contributing 2.3% to the national GDP.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, Hajji Muzamiru Mukwatampola emphasized Uganda’s youthful population, with 78% below the age of 30.
“This is both an opportunity and a challenge. The youth must turn ideas into opportunities to drive national development. The incubation centre will create jobs, promote local industrialization, and help farmers overcome challenges such as transportation and post-harvest losses,” he said.
He further noted that Kabale’s proximity to Rwanda positions the centre to promote cross-border enterprise and trade.
“This incubation centre belongs to you, the students. It is a space that challenges you to think beyond theory. Do not wait for opportunities, create them through innovation,” he added.
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