The 10th National Conference on Communications (NCC 2026) is officially here, hosted by the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). This milestone edition, themed “Accelerating Market-Driven Innovation for Uganda’s Development,” serves as a premier platform for advancing research, innovation, and knowledge exchange within the nation’s ICT ecosystem. Scheduled for 24th – 26th June 2026 at Makerere University, the conference will bring together thought leaders to discuss the future of connectivity and digital transformation.

We are now inviting submissions from researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers across eight diverse conference tracks. These tracks cover critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Digital Financial Services (Fin Tech), Smart Societies, and ICT for Social Impact in health and education. Whether your work focuses on digital infrastructure or environmental resilience, NCC 2026 provides the visibility needed to drive meaningful technological advancement in Uganda.

Prospective contributors can submit Full Research Papers (up to 8 pages), Extended Abstracts for work-in-progress, Industry Case Studies, or Policy and Position Papers. All submissions should be made through the link : https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ncc2026

Please take note of the upcoming deadlines;

The Submission Deadline is 1st May 2026, with Acceptance Notifications being sent out by 22nd May 2026. For more information regarding the program and registration, please contact the organizing committee via email at ncc.cedat@mak.ac.ug.

Join us as we shape the future of communications and technology in Uganda.

On Friday 13th February 2026, Makerere University was honored to host Prof. Daniel Branch, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick. This visit marked a significant follow-up to a 2025 delegation from Makerere to Warwick, emphasizing a growing and reciprocal relationship between the two prestigious institutions. Organized by the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), the day began with a strategic meeting in the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, alongside key university leadership including Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi chairperson of Mak-RIF and Mr. Simon Kizito the Deputy University Secretary.

During the initial discussions, Mr. Simon Kizito, reflected on the eye-opening experience of visiting Warwick, specifically praising their forward-thinking approach to industry collaboration and innovation. These observations set the stage for exploring new possibilities for student exchange programs. Such initiatives are envisioned to allow students from both universities to share valuable experiences in research and technology, fostering a global academic environment.

Prof. Nawangwe provided Prof. Branch with an overview of Makerere’s historical significance as the oldest university in East Africa and its immense research capacity, supported by an academic staff holding approximately 1,390 PhDs. He highlighted Makerere’s leadership in technological advancements, citing the design and production of Africa’s first electric car, the Kiira EV. Prof. Nawangwe also addressed the global knowledge gap, noting that Africa currently contributes only 3% of the world’s knowledge. He emphasized that collaborating with institutions like the University of Warwick is essential to increasing this percentage by improving supervision capacity and research impact.

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From February 11th to 12th, 2026, the CEDAT conference hall became a hub of innovation as it hosted the Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems Conference. This two-day event marked a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between BOKU University and Makerere University, a collaboration that has consistently driven major advancements in renewable energy research. The conference served as a platform to celebrate these achievements while charting a course for future technological breakthroughs.

The event was officially opened by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who emphasized the critical role of electricity in national development. Drawing a comparison to his observations in Austria, where electricity is universally accessible, Prof. Nawangwe noted that the lack of widespread energy access in Uganda remains a significant barrier to technological learning. He reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to being at the forefront of solving these energy and technological challenges to better serve the nation.

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