Harnessing AI for a Resilient East Africa: My Experience at the Science, Technology and Innovation Conference 2026

It was a great honour to participate in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference 2026 organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA). Held in Rwanda from 30 March to 1 April 2026, the conference brought together researchers, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and development partners under the theme:

"Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for a Resilient, Inclusive and Innovative East Africa."

The conference served as an important platform for exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform critical sectors across the East African Community while fostering regional collaboration and innovation.

Presenting My Research

One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to present my research under the thematic area of AI for Agriculture and Food Security.

My paper, titled "AI-Driven UAVs and Deep Learning for Climate-Resilient Coffee Farming in Uganda," explored how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), combined with artificial intelligence and deep learning, can support precision agriculture by monitoring coffee plantations, detecting crop stress, and generating predictive insights that help farmers make informed decisions in the face of climate change.

The presentation generated engaging discussions on how AI-powered geospatial technologies can improve agricultural productivity while strengthening climate resilience for one of Uganda's most important export crops.

A Conference Focused on Regional Transformation

The conference aimed to:

• Facilitate high-level engagement among policymakers, academia, the private sector, and civil society on AI policy and regional dialogue.
• Showcase AI-driven solutions addressing East Africa's development priorities.
• Disseminate AI research through peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings.
• Strengthen networking, partnerships, and multi-stakeholder collaboration within the regional AI ecosystem.
• Promote the adoption and scaling of AI research, innovations, products, and services across the East African Community.

One particularly inspiring feature was the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Session, which showcased AI and digital solutions developed by young innovators and startups across East Africa.

Young entrepreneurs presented innovative ideas in agriculture, healthcare, education, climate resilience, financial inclusion, and many other sectors. More importantly, they had the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, investors, development partners, incubators, and private sector leaders, creating valuable pathways for scaling their innovations.

"Are we ready?"

Are our institutions prepared?

Do we have the infrastructure?

Do we have the skills and policies required to responsibly harness AI?

These discussions challenged participants to think beyond technology and consider the ecosystems needed to support sustainable AI adoption across East Africa.

My Biggest Takeaway

One of my proudest moments was seeing how my presentation opened discussions around the untapped potential of UAV data.

Many participants were familiar with drones being used for aerial mapping and image collection. However, integrating UAV imagery with AI and deep learning for predictive analytics in precision coffee farming sparked fresh conversations about what is possible.

The discussion reinforced that UAVs are not simply tools for capturing images—they are powerful data collection platforms that, when combined with AI, can generate actionable intelligence for farmers, researchers, and policymakers alike.

A Memorable Near Miss

Not every memorable conference moment happens on stage!

In the middle of a packed conference schedule, the room allocated for our workshop was changed.

Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed the update.

I patiently sat through nearly an entire session in the originally announced room, wondering why my name had not yet been called. As the session came to an end, I approached the moderator to ask when I would be presenting.

That was when I discovered I had been waiting in the wrong room!

I rushed across the venue to find the correct session.

As I arrived, I could hear the moderator calling my name to present.

Thankfully, seeing that I had just arrived, the moderator kindly allowed another presenter to go ahead of me, giving me a few precious minutes to catch my breath and gather myself.

Despite the unexpected confusion, my presentation went smoothly. The audience was engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and the discussion that followed made the stressful dash completely worthwhile.

Looking back, it has become one of those conference stories that now makes me smile.

Reflections

The conference days were long, often stretching until 7:00 p.m., with an impressive number of research presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions packed into each day.

It was intellectually demanding, but every session offered new perspectives and opportunities to learn from colleagues across the region.

I returned home inspired, encouraged, and even more convinced that Artificial Intelligence—when responsibly developed and combined with geospatial technologies—has enormous potential to transform agriculture and strengthen climate resilience in East Africa.

I am grateful to have contributed to these conversations and look forward to continuing research that bridges AI, UAV technology, and sustainable agriculture for the benefit of farmers across Uganda and the wider region.

The future of AI in East Africa is full of promise. The question is no longer whether AI will transform our region—but how prepared we are to shape that transformation responsibly and inclusively.