UR Centres of Excellence showcased at EACHEA Regional Conference at Kampala, Uganda

The grand halls of Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala buzzed with excitement during the first Regional Ministerial Conference on the East African Common Higher Education Area (EACHEA) 2025. The three-day conference and exhibition were organized under the theme “Enhancing Regional Integration through Harmonised Higher Education Systems for Sustainable Development in East Africa.” It took place in Kampala on 8th September 2025.

From left ; Dr John Patrick Mwesige , Prof Celestin Twizere and Happy Axel Muyombano Representatives of Centers of Excellence at the exhibition

Officially opened by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, the conference brought together ministers and policymakers who deliberated on harmonizing higher education systems across East Africa. It also featured vibrant exhibition that truly captured the spirit of regional innovation and collaboration.

UR received notable recognition for its strong presence at the exhibition, where three Centres of Excellence showcased their groundbreaking initiatives : the African Centre of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT), the Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and eHealth (CEBE), and the Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management.

H.E Museveni presided over the conference : on the Photo with First Lady Janet

ACEIoT attracted significant attention for its impressive showcase of innovations, including its Transformative Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation (TAIRI) Lab and an AI and IoT incubation hub that supports innovators in scaling their projects toward commercialization.

Among the standout innovations was an AI-powered bird repeller system developed by ACEIoT PhD students. This solar-powered, AI-integrated smart device effectively deters pest birds from farmlands ; particularly rice, sorghum, and maize plantations. The project was developed under the supervision of professors from the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Rwanda, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Equally impressive was Prof. Marie Goretti Umuhozariho’s innovation, “Nkungahare Instant Flour,” a convenient, nutrient-rich product high in vitamin A, proteins, carbohydrates, and essential minerals. The product drew crowds of enthusiastic visitors throughout the event, many of whom eagerly purchased and praised it ; demonstrating the commercial potential of locally developed innovations.

Prof. Marie Goretti showcasing her product to the UR VC, Rwandan ambassador to Uganda, and Rwanda Minister of Education

The exhibition atmosphere was electric, with university representatives from across the region exchanging ideas, forming partnerships, and celebrating the ingenuity emerging from East African institutions. Students and faculty members engaged in animated discussions about collaborative research opportunities and knowledge transfer initiatives.

As participants departed Kampala, anticipation was already building for the next EACHEA Conference, scheduled to take place in Rwanda in 2027, where innovation and regional integration will undoubtedly continue to flourish.