AI Tinkerers Kampala: Protecting Intellectual Property for Young Innovators in the Digital Age

AI Tinkerers Kampala is back with a power-packed, hands-on meetup focused on how young innovators can protect their ideas in today’s AI-driven world. Join us for live demos, deep technical dialogue, and practical legal insights from top Ugandan practitioners. This physical gathering brings together students, researchers, and practitioners who build and ship with foundation models and AI.

What you get

• A curated, collaborative environment designed for active builders who ship AI products. Expect technical depth, runnable demos, and concrete takeaways you can replicate.
• A keynote guest speech from Dr. Abudu Waiswa, Head of Legal Litigation, Prosecution & Legal Advisory, plus a panel including Counsel Basoga Joel.
• Live tech demos from Makerere University Innovation Hub / Unipod and hub students, showcasing real-world applications and breakthrough ideas.
• A theme centered on protecting intellectual property in the digital age, with practical guidance for students, researchers, and practitioners.

Event details

• Date: August 29, 2025
• Time: 2:00pm - 4:30pm EAT
• Venue: Makerere University Innovation Hub.
• Capacity: 150 attendees
• Registration: Space is limited and very popular—register now to secure your spot.
• Proposals: We’re inviting talks and demos aligned with the theme. Submit your session proposal here: https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/meetup/mu_n-HOjgfmzEo/speaking

guest speakers

• Dr. Abudu Waiswa — Head of Legal Litigation, Prosecution & Legal Advisory
• Counsel Joel Basoga—Legal Tech Lawyer working with H&G Advocates

What to expect on the day

• Opening remarks
• Guest addresses tackling AI, IP, and the law.
• Live, runnable demos from students at Makerere University Innovation Hub / Unipod.
• Networking and informal discussions on building responsibly with AI and safeguarding IP.
• A clear path to next steps for speakers and attendees looking to implement learnings in their own work.

Submit Your Talk or Demo Proposal

This is a live tech showcase and panel discussion aligned with the theme ‘Protecting Intellectual Property for Young Innovators in the Digital Age.’ We want to hear from students, researchers, and practitioners who can present a talk or demo. Include: session title, type (talk or demo), a brief abstract (max 250-300 words), desired equipment, approximate duration, a short bio, and links to prior work or recordings. Sessions should relate to AI, IP, or legal tech. Selected speakers will be notified with next steps.

How to participate

• Interested in presenting? Submit your proposal now: https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/meetup/mu_n-HOjgfmzEo/speaking
• Want to sponsor future events? Learn more at https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/sponsors
• Already registered? Check your RSVP status and stay tuned for venue details.

Sponsors

AiLEX - A Legal Tech Startup forging the intersection of Law and Technology through collaborations, networking, educating and empowering students, legal professionals, policymakers, investors and founders

Makerere University Innovation Hub - Established with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Timbuktoo Initiative, the Makerere University Innovation Hub, also known as UniPod, is a multidisciplinary center fostering creativity, innovation, and collaboration. It supports students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and the general public in transforming their ideas into scalable ventures through expert mentorship, talent development, and access to cutting-edge facilities like Makerspaces and Design Labs. The hub is dedicated to driving job creation through innovation, incubation, and commercialization, empowering a new generation of Ugandan innovators to address societal challenges and contribute to economic transformation.

Unipod - a dynamic network of multidisciplinary innovation hubs, established in partnership with UNDP under the Timbuktoo Initiative across African universities like Makerere, Mukuba, Liberia, and Rwanda. UniPod empowers youth, students, and entrepreneurs by fostering creativity, problem-solving, and transforming groundbreaking research into marketable solutions. It provides comprehensive support, including business development, mentorship, and access to investment, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Focusing on areas like greentech, agritech, and clean energy, UniPod is dedicated to driving economic transformation and nurturing the next generation of innovators.

Uganda Communications Commission (ucc.co.ug) - The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is the government regulatory body for Uganda’s communications sector. Its primary mandate involves regulating telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communication, postal communications, data communication, and infrastructure. Established by the Communications Act of 1997 and further implementing the UCC Act 2013, the UCC is responsible for licensing, regulation, communications infrastructure development, and expanding rural communications services. The Commission strives to drive the development of a robust communications sector and become a world-class communications regulator.

AI Tinkerers Kampala is a vibrant local chapter of a global, curated network dedicated to AI builders. As part of a community spanning over 80 cities, AI Tinkerers Kampala connects active practitioners—including open-source contributors, startup founders, and frontier researchers—who are shipping products with foundation models and generative AI. Founded by Higenyi Simon, a Ugandan lawyer specializing in AI legal tech, the Kampala chapter hosts engaging meetups featuring kick-ass demos and invaluable networking opportunities. It’s a prime space for those with technical, machine learning, and entrepreneurial backgrounds to collaborate and advance the field of AI.

🗺️ Special Guests Panel

🎤 Speakers & Panel

Sponsors Panel

📣 Ready to dive in? Reserve your seat now

• Registration is open and spots are filling fast. Space is limited to 150 attendees.
• Proposals: Submit your talk or demo here: https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/meetup/mu_n-HOjgfmzEo/speaking
• Sponsor opportunities: https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/sponsors

📥 Subscribe for updates

• Stay in the loop on speaker announcements, demos, and venue details by joining our community announcements.

🔗 Useful links

• Submit Speaker Proposal: https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/meetup/mu_n-HOjgfmzEo/speaking
• Sponsors: https://kampala.aitinkerers.org/sponsors
• Learn more about AI Tinkerers: https://aitinkerers.org/

🎯 Call to action

If you’re building with AI and care about IP protection, this meetup is for you. Bring your demos, your questions, and your curiosity. See you in Kampala on August 29, 2025, 3:00pm–6:00pm EAT.

The event is organized by AI Tinkerers Kampala in partnership with AiLEX, Makerere University Innovation Hub, Unipod, and the Uganda Communications Commission.