The Faculty of Computing and Informatics at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) took a leading role in organizing and driving the success of this year’s Annual International Management Conference, held under the impactful theme: “Artificial Intelligence and the Knowledge Society: The Future of Business in Africa.” The conference highlighted the critical role that artificial intelligence and digital technologies will play in shaping the future of business and innovation across the African continent.

We express our deepest gratitude to Prof. Sonny Nyeko Sonny, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, for his exemplary leadership. His strategic direction ensured the faculty’s prominent involvement in the conference, advancing discussions around AI and its transformative potential for African businesses.

We also extend special thanks to the Head of the Department of Information systems, Dr. John Paul Kasse, who, along with Mr. Richard Bekalaze, coordinated an outstanding showcase of student projects in ICT. These projects underscored the faculty’s commitment to fostering innovation, with many of them centered on AI solutions tailored to African challenges. Their collaboration was a testament to the faculty’s strong support for student-led research and development.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Samali Mlay, the Head of the Department of Applied Computing and IT, for her crucial role as co-chair of the conference. Her contributions were instrumental in ensuring that the discussions on artificial intelligence, knowledge societies, and digital transformation were insightful and action-oriented, pushing the conversation towards tangible solutions for African business ecosystems.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Dr. Kabaale Edward, the Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, whose leadership was critical in facilitating technical sessions. These sessions provided a platform for the faculty to engage with key industry stakeholders and explore how AI and advanced computing can be integrated into various sectors to drive economic development in Africa.

In addition to the leadership team, we also extend our gratitude to the broader faculty staff whose hard work made the conference a success. The unwavering efforts of our lecturers, researchers, and administrative staff ensured that the event was seamlessly organized and that every session ran smoothly. Their contributions behind the scenes were invaluable, and their dedication reflected the collective spirit of excellence within the Faculty of Computing and Informatics.

This year’s conference attracted key stakeholders from the Bank of Uganda, the Ministry of ICT, and other major players in the ICT and business sectors. Their engagement was crucial in fostering partnerships and sparking important discussions on how AI can transform Africa’s business landscape and accelerate the continent’s progress in the global knowledge society.

Lastly, we express our deepest gratitude to the Principal of MUBS, Prof. Moses Muhwezi, whose continued support for academic excellence and industry engagement made this event possible. His leadership and vision for MUBS as a hub of innovation and thought leadership were evident throughout the conference.

The Faculty of Computing and Informatics is proud to have played a key role in making this year’s conference a resounding success. We look forward to continued collaboration and leadership in advancing artificial intelligence and digital transformation for the future of African business.