Uganda’s Blockchain Association Gears Up for the 2024 Kampala Blockchain Summit

This year’s summit, inspired by the success of the pivotal 2019 Africa Blockchain Conference, seeks to accelerate blockchain technology adoption across Uganda, emphasizing hands-on applications and local engagement. With a focus on bridging the gap between industry leaders, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies, the summit aims to foster a collaborative network that encourages innovation in key sectors. Reginald Tumusiime, Chair of the BAU, highlights the event's practical approach:

“Our goal is to bring together Uganda’s and Africa’s leading voices in blockchain, from advocates to policymakers and business leaders,” Tumusiime states. Building on past momentum, with notable figures like the President of Uganda and the Governor of the Central Bank present in 2019, this year’s summit will feature a keynote address from the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Uganda. Attendees can expect sessions that explore how blockchain intersects with regulation, economic growth, and Africa’s broader technological advancements. Since its establishment in 2018, BAU has positioned itself as a major advocate for blockchain in Uganda and the region. Under Tumusiime’s leadership, the association has worked closely with the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Bank of Uganda. Tumusiime envisions expanding the BAU’s mission into an “emerging technologies association,” covering fields like AI, big data, and robotics alongside blockchain.

“Our progress depends on our partnerships with key stakeholders, and we’re determined to support innovators who want to scale their ideas,” he added. The summit will feature insights from industry leaders, including Olivier Fines, Global Head of Advocacy and Policy Research at the CFA Institute EMEA, and Thomas Giacomo, Director of Utilization for BSV Blockchain. Local contributors like Josephine Okui from the Capital Markets Authority and Fred Percy Kisa from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF Uganda) will bring essential perspectives on Uganda’s collaborative tech adoption approach.

Highlights of the summit include panel discussions focusing on:

1. Regulatory Perspectives: Key figures like Josephine Okui Ossiya (CEO of the Capital Markets Authority) and Cyrus Barigye (Director of ICT Systems and Security at the Financial Intelligence Authority) will delve into aligning blockchain initiatives with Uganda’s regulatory frameworks.

2. Role of Academia and Development Finance: Led by Dr. Dorothy Okello, Dean of Makerere University’s School of Engineering, and Fred Percy Kisa from NSSF Uganda, this session will explore academia’s role in blockchain research and the importance of development finance in driving adoption.

The summit will feature real-world blockchain use cases that showcase the technology’s potential to transform Ugandan sectors, such as:

• Agriculture: Demonstrating how blockchain can enhance transparency and traceability in Uganda’s coffee supply chain, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

• Finance: Exploring innovations like payments and asset tokenization, which can revolutionize real estate transactions and other investment processes.

The summit will also offer ample networking opportunities, connecting regulators, innovators, academics, and industry stakeholders to foster partnerships that can drive Uganda’s technological evolution.

Tumusiime concludes that “Collaborating with entities like the Bank of Uganda and the Capital Markets Authority has helped us bring blockchain technology closer to mainstream adoption. This summit is a stepping stone towards greater engagement and technology adoption,”