KIU, Western Campus - In a bid to strengthen education, research, innovation, and community engagement, Kampala International University (KIU) and Bushenyi–Ishaka Municipality (BIM) on Thursday, June 11th, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Western Campus (WC). The agreement lays the foundation for collaboration that addresses local development priorities while opening new opportunities for students and residents to benefit from shared knowledge, resources, and innovation.

Setting the tone for the event, Assoc. Prof. Eric Mabonga, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of KIU-WC, welcomed the initiative with optimism. He noted that the MoU would open fresh avenues for collaboration between the university and the municipality. According to him, the wealth of knowledge within KIU can be harnessed by the community to address pressing societal challenges and drive transformation. “When we work together, we widen our doors to greater opportunities and deeper engagements,” he emphasized.

Building on this, Prof. Muhammed Ngoma, VC of KIU, emphasized the importance of connecting learners with real?world challenges. He noted that the agreement would help bridge the gap between academia and society. “The community is often under?represented and often forgotten. Signing this MoU enables us to get closer to the community and attach our learners to local challenges. We are planning to build the biggest AI and Data Science Hub that will benefit the community greatly,” he remarked.

Adding her perspective, Dr. Asiati Mbabazi, University Secretary, called for collective responsibility and accountability. “We are all responsible for this country. If we join hands, we can make this world a better place. We have all the resources, including human resource. If something is put on paper, we must make sure it works out,” she said, noting that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, KIU, Dr. Al?Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba, is fully supportive of the partnership.

Continuing the discussion, Dr. Mundu Mustafa, DVC for Finance and Administration, described the MoU as a long?term commitment. “It is what we locally call a ‘marriage’—something long term. Through our academic programmes and bursaries we have helped many communities, including BIM. At KIU, we not only follow the NCHE curriculum but have also introduced a skilling programme for all courses,” he explained.

Highlighting the research dimension, Prof. Patrick Aja Maduabuchi, Director of Research, Innovation, Consultancy and Extension (RICE), pointed to ongoing community involvement. “All the public lectures we have convened this year have involved the community through district leaders. About innovations, two of them have passed prototype stage at the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) hub and are awaiting funding. With your collaboration, I believe we have everything to explore,” he said.

From the municipality, Mayor Richard Nesto Byaruhanga welcomed the partnership warmly and stressed the importance of involving society in such initiatives. “It is important that if such an event happens, you involve the society. We are ready to sharpen minds through education, and produce better results for our country. We have a well?designed plan with major projects coming up where you the learned can invest in innovation,” he stated.

Concluding the voices from the municipality, Town Clerk Robert Nuwamanya expressed confidence in the partnership’s success. “With KIU, we are sure of actualizing this MoU. We are focusing on evidence?based decision making, and you have the data we need,” he said.

This partnership signals a new era of collaboration between academia and local government. By combining KIU’s academic resources with the municipality’s development agenda, both institutions are positioning themselves to tackle pressing societal challenges, empower communities, and create sustainable solutions for the future. The MoU is not just about cooperation—it is about building a shared vision that will leave a lasting impact on BIM and serve as a model for community?focused education across Uganda.