# AI for Uganda partners with the Foundry

Today marks a significant milestone in our mission to democratize artificial intelligence and data science education across East Africa.

AI for Uganda is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Foundry at Clarke International University, establishing a strategic partnership that connects structured AI training with one of Kampala’s leading innovation and research environments.

This collaboration is founded on a shared vision: bridging the gap between technical education and real-world, high-impact research. By combining AI for Uganda’s practical training programs with The Foundry’s institutional research and development infrastructure, we are creating new pathways for the next generation of Ugandan data scientists, AI engineers, and innovators.

## Building a stronger AI ecosystem for learners and the region

At AI for Uganda, our goal has always been to build a sustainable AI ecosystem capable of addressing local and regional challenges. This partnership enables our learners to move beyond theory by gaining exposure to active research, development, and innovation environments.

The partnership will focus on five key areas:

**Official capstone and research hub**  
The Foundry will serve as the official research and development environment for AI for Uganda’s capstone projects, providing learners with access to research infrastructure, datasets, mentorship, and collaborative development spaces.

**Applied AI research for East Africa**  
Together, we will collaborate on AI research initiatives addressing critical challenges across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance.

**Curriculum development and industry alignment**  
AI for Uganda and The Foundry will work together to continuously validate and improve training programs against emerging research areas, industry requirements, and global AI standards.

**Academic and research pathways**  
High-performing AI for Uganda graduates will gain opportunities to transition into advanced research roles and further academic opportunities at Clarke International University.

**Joint innovation and open-source contributions**  
The partnership will support the creation of technical publications, research outputs, and open-source tools that contribute to Uganda’s growing AI ecosystem.

## Bridging education, research, and real-world impact

Wesley Kambale, Team Lead at AI for Uganda, said:

> This collaboration represents a critical step forward for our ecosystem. By connecting our intensive training programs with The Foundry’s research infrastructure, we are moving beyond teaching AI concepts and creating opportunities to apply AI in solving real East African challenges. This gives our learners the environment they need to transform their skills into meaningful impact.

Dr. David Jolly Muganzi, Director of The Foundry at Clarke International University, added:

> This partnership addresses a key challenge in AI education across the continent: ensuring that training connects directly to real-world application. By linking a community-driven AI training initiative with a university innovation hub, we are creating a model for collaboration between universities, researchers, and technology communities in Uganda and beyond.

We are excited about the opportunities this two-year partnership creates for current and future AI for Uganda cohorts. By combining practitioner networks, research expertise, institutional mentorship, and applied innovation, we are taking another step toward building a stronger AI ecosystem for Uganda and the wider East African region.