Otuke, Uganda | A young IT professional from the Lango Subregion, Sedrick Otolo, captured President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s attention during a meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Baralegi State Lodge in Otuke District after passionately appealing for the establishment of an Innovation Hub in Northern Uganda.
Otolo told the President that he has spent the last four years pursuing the idea of a regional innovation centre that would help young people develop and showcase their technological skills.
He said the hub would provide a space for training, collaboration, and creativity, reducing the need for innovators to travel to Kampala to access facilities.
His message drew loud applause from journalists and local leaders attending the engagement, who commended his courage and vision for youth empowerment.
Otolo also asked the government to find ways of supporting talented youths who may not be fluent in English but have exceptional technical skills.
He said such young people often go unnoticed despite their potential to contribute to national development.
President Museveni, visibly impressed by the presentation, praised Otolo for thinking beyond himself and speaking on behalf of the youth.
He said the government remains committed to promoting innovation and pledged to meet Otolo personally at State House to discuss the proposal in detail.
Otolo is part of a group of young innovators from the Lango Subregion who are promoting digital literacy, mentorship, and community-based technology projects.
Their initiatives have helped hundreds of youths gain practical ICT skills and confidence to pursue their ideas.
The meeting at Baralegi is being seen as a major breakthrough for young innovators in Northern Uganda and a sign that their voices are beginning to influence national policy on science and technology.
