By Wakibi Iddi
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met with Mehamood Hosein, founder and chairman of US-based HIVE Global Group, to explore plans to develop Uganda’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry and position the country as a leading technology hub in Africa.
The meeting, held at State House Entebbe on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, focused on opportunities for cooperation in AI and digital transformation, including investment in computing infrastructure, energy, research and skills development.
President Museveni welcomed Hosein’s interest in the sector, describing AI as an area Uganda needs to develop.
“I welcome you to Uganda. AI is a gap. I am happy to learn from you and what you bring to the AI industry,” the President said.
Hosein, who also founded the Massachusetts-based Hosein Family Office, drew on his experience in the technology sector, including his work at EMC Corporation, a data-storage company that later became part of Dell Technologies.
He said AI infrastructure would play a central role in the next phase of global economic development.
“We helped build the infrastructure that powered the information age. Today, AI infrastructure will power the intelligence age and become a major driver of global economic growth,” Hosein said.
He outlined plans for HIVE Uganda and The Global AI Village, a proposed initiative bringing together advanced AI computing centres, reliable energy, education, research, technology development and international private investment.
The vision is to enable Uganda to produce and export AI-powered services rather than remain primarily a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
“My vision is to help make Uganda the leading AI nation in Africa by building the critical infrastructure needed to transform the continent into a major global computing hub,” Hosein said, adding that Uganda could export intelligence services in much the same way other countries export minerals and manufactured goods.
The proposed initiative is also intended to attract international technology companies, expand opportunities for young Ugandans and stimulate research, innovation and the development of technology-based industries. Reliable and competitively priced electricity would be essential to supporting the planned computing infrastructure.
According to Hosein, the initiative would seek to mobilise international private capital to establish commercially sustainable infrastructure without adding to Uganda’s sovereign debt burden.
However, details of the proposed investment value, implementation timeline and projected employment opportunities have not been disclosed.
The discussions signal potential opportunities for Uganda to strengthen its participation in the global AI economy. Turning the ambition into tangible economic benefits will depend on the investment secured, the infrastructure developed and the extent to which Ugandan businesses, research institutions and young people participate in the emerging industry.