The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) announced Friday its 9th National Conference on Communications (NCC) will take place Oct. 2-3, 2025. The conference, themed “Harnessing Digital Innovation to Power Sustainable Local Solutions for Uganda’s Development Goals,” will be jointly hosted by ISBAT University and Gulu University.
The annual event will gather policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, academics and innovators to discuss the intersection of digital transformation and national development.
Speaking at the launch of the conference, UCC Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo emphasized the role of research in societal progress.
“As scientists, researchers, academics and innovators, we must remain focused on generating solutions to the complex problems facing our society,” Thembo said. “Whether through disruptive technologies or progressive policies, research remains the backbone of successful digital transformation.”
Thembo added that UCC is committed to facilitating and enabling information and communication technology (ICT) development, aligning with its vision for a digitally inclusive economy.
“We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation reach every Ugandan,” he said.
First held in 2011, the NCC serves as UCC’s flagship forum to promote innovation, research and skills development in the ICT sector. It provides a national platform for presenting peer-reviewed research, showcasing homegrown ICT innovations and fostering collaboration among academia, industry and government.
This year’s conference will retain hallmarks such as academic papers, student competitions and policy conversations. It will also introduce new capacity-building activities, including hackathons, publishing masterclasses and the establishment of paper writing clubs across institutions.
Additionally, more than 200 secondary school ICT clubs are expected to participate, up from 120 in 2023. These clubs will compete in regional and national-level innovation competitions, presenting solutions designed to address real-world challenges in Ugandan communities.
The UCC is also undertaking a comprehensive impact assessment of the NCC program. The review aims to measure the conference’s contribution to Uganda’s ICT innovation landscape, academic research output and policy development. Insights from this assessment will inform future editions and strategic focus areas.
UCC invites all stakeholders, including academics, innovators, development partners, policymakers and media, to participate in this year’s event. The commission states that collaborative efforts can shape a future where digital innovation drives Uganda’s sustainable development.
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