Technology 11 November 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
How Ugandan Gen Z Are Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Innovate
Young Ugandans are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence tools, from digital tutors to safety apps, to overcome resource limitations and tackle pressing social challenges. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/gen-z-meet-ai-inside-rise-of-digital-natives--5666402
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how young Ugandans approach innovation, education, and problem-solving. Despite facing significant resource barriers, a growing wave of digital natives is turning to smart technology to acquire new skills, build ventures, and address community challenges.
From AI-powered tutors and research assistants to digital stress management tools, these technologies are unlocking unprecedented potential across the country. A notable example of this homegrown ingenuity is an innovation by Joseph Walusimbi, a 29-year-old student at Soroti University.
Walusimbi, who is in his third year pursuing Electronics and Computer Engineering, developed an AI-powered digital assistant named Buddy. Designed to protect vulnerable teenagers aged between 12 and 17 from online grooming and exploitation, the tool showcases the impactful solutions young developers can create.
Buddy was successfully crafted during the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Testbed Hackathon, highlighting the critical role that supportive platforms and tech competitions play in nurturing local talent among Uganda’s younger generation.
Read more about this story in the Daily Monitor.