Busitema University Hosts AI Expo, Linking Students to Industry Opportunities
Busitema University’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 hosted a dynamic Artificial Intelligence (AI) themed event that brought together students and key industry players in a shared conversation about the future of technology.
The event, dubbed the NSSF AI Expo 2026, was organized in collaboration with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Absa Bank, and AI Studio Uganda. It featured a series of presentations focused on the role of artificial intelligence under the theme “Man or Machine,” while also offering students a chance to compete for internship opportunities.
Welcoming the guests, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Ildephonse Nibikora, gave an overview of the faculty and its academic direction. He emphasized the university’s growing focus on AI-integrated programmes, aligning them with emerging global trends. Representing the Dean, who was engaged elsewhere on official duties, Prof. Nibikora encouraged students to remain attentive and treat the session as a valuable mentorship opportunity that could shape their academic and professional paths.
During the discussions, AI Studio Uganda’s Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Kavuma Lamech, addressed common misconceptions about artificial intelligence. He noted that rather than replacing humans, AI is designed to enhance user experience and should be integrated into everyday life. He explained that AI systems rely on pattern recognition and do not possess human qualities such as empathy. His session included an interactive question-and-answer segment, giving students an opportunity to share their understanding, alongside educational video clips that stimulated further discussion.
Absa Bank’s Head of Markets, Ms. Catherine Kijjagulwe, also engaged the students, drawing from her background in engineering to highlight the importance of flexibility in career choices. She encouraged students to remain open to opportunities beyond their fields of study. In her presentation, she outlined several of the bank’s initiatives, including work-readiness programmes that have prepared over 2,000 young people for employment, environmental conservation efforts such as planting over one million trees, and community outreach activities like the annual Absa Run aimed at supporting the girl child. She also introduced a 15-module work-readiness course accessible via a mobile app, concluding with the message, “Your story matters.”
The event concluded on a competitive note, with students participating in an online quiz that required them to log in using a QR code and respond to questions within a limited time. The fastest participants emerged as winners, with the top two earning guaranteed internship placements at NSSF Uganda.
The expo provided a platform for meaningful engagement between students and industry, reinforcing the university’s commitment to preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
