Ugandan universities, working with partner institutions across the continent, have launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health African Network, a platform aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, research, and the development of AI-driven healthcare applications.
The network was launched at Makerere University and is expected to bring together government officials, health researchers, medical practitioners, and innovators.
Speaking at the event, the minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero, said the initiative would help universities build practical solutions for local health challenges.
“The network provides a space for collaboration and shared learning. We expect universities to generate innovations that respond to the needs of our health sector. My ministry is ready to support these efforts with funding,” she said.
AI is increasingly being used to support research in disease surveillance, medical imaging, drug discovery, and public health planning.
At Ugandan universities, researchers say AI tools could speed up data analysis, improve diagnostic accuracy, and reduce the cost of carrying out large studies. Machine learning models are already being tested in areas such as tuberculosis screening, crop disease detection, and maternal health monitoring.
Makerere University’s Academic Registrar, Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, said the network would help build capacity among institutions that operate in resource-limited settings.
“We want African universities to become net producers of knowledge, innovation, and technologies in health AI. This will help us leap forward in strengthening healthcare service delivery,” Buyinza said.
He added that the initiative would promote partnerships that give researchers access to shared datasets, computing power, and specialised training. These, he said, are often difficult to obtain but are essential for developing high-quality AI systems.
The new network is expected to host training events, joint research projects, and policy dialogues aimed at guiding the safe and ethical use of AI in Africa’s health sector.
