The Integrated Refugee Organization (IRO) is proud to have participated in Uganda Innovation Week 2026, an important platform bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, technology practitioners, businesses, development partners and other stakeholders to explore solutions to some of Uganda’s most pressing development challenges.
IRO’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive innovation and ensuring that refugees are recognised not only as beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance but also as innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers capable of contributing to sustainable development.
At IRO, we advance innovation through digital inclusion, skills development, technology, entrepreneurship and digital protection. Our approach is centred on transforming the potential, creativity and capabilities of refugees and other displaced communities into opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, economic participation and social inclusion.
IRO Innovation Hub: Turning Ideas into Opportunities
A key part of this commitment is the IRO Innovation Hub, launched in September 2024 as a practical space for innovation, digital inclusion, learning and entrepreneurship.
Located at the Human Rights House in Nsambya, Kampala, the Hub remains fully operational and continues to provide opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers and members of host communities to access digital resources, develop practical skills, explore technology-driven solutions and strengthen their entrepreneurial initiatives.
Through the Hub, IRO provides access to computers, internet connectivity, shared working space, digital skills development and technology-related support. It also serves as a platform for nurturing ideas, supporting emerging initiatives and connecting displaced communities with opportunities in the digital economy.
Beyond its physical location, the IRO Innovation Hub is also reachable online, extending access to information, resources and engagement opportunities beyond the Human Rights House. This combination of physical and online accessibility reflects IRO’s commitment to making innovation and digital opportunities more inclusive.
The Hub embodies IRO’s belief that innovation should be accessible to everyone, regardless of displacement status, background or economic circumstances.
Exploring Renewable Energy Innovation: Visit to Tulima Solar
During Uganda Innovation Week 2026, the Executive Director of IRO also visited the exhibition stand of Tulima Solar, an organisation working in the solar energy sector. The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about its work and explore the potential of renewable energy solutions in expanding access to reliable and sustainable energy.
The engagement highlighted the importance of connecting innovation across different sectors, particularly where renewable energy, technology and entrepreneurship intersect. For refugee-hosting communities, access to affordable and reliable energy can support small businesses, improve the use of digital technologies, strengthen livelihoods and create opportunities for community-led economic development.
IRO recognises the importance of exploring partnerships and innovative approaches that can make sustainable energy solutions more accessible to displaced and host communities.
Refugees as Innovators and Development Partners
IRO’s participation in Uganda Innovation Week 2026 also provided an opportunity to engage with the broader innovation ecosystem and appreciate the range of solutions being developed across the country.
From healthcare innovations and digital platforms to sustainable packaging, agricultural solutions and green entrepreneurship, the event demonstrated how collaboration between innovators, businesses, institutions and development partners can generate practical responses to real-world challenges.
IRO believes that refugees should be meaningfully included in these conversations, not simply as recipients of services but as active contributors to innovation, enterprise development and the wider economy.
Creating opportunities for refugees to access technology, acquire relevant skills, develop businesses and participate in innovation ecosystems is essential to building resilient communities and advancing inclusive development.
Building Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
IRO remains committed to strengthening collaboration with innovation hubs, technology companies, private-sector actors, development partners and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for displaced communities.
We believe that innovation becomes more meaningful when it is inclusive, community-driven and responsive to people’s needs. Through the IRO Innovation Hub and its broader programmes, IRO will continue working to bridge digital divides, strengthen refugee entrepreneurship, promote digital protection and support solutions that contribute to sustainable livelihoods.
Our vision is clear: refugees are not just beneficiaries of innovation; they are innovators, entrepreneurs and partners in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Learn more about the Integrated Refugee Organization and its initiatives: https://integratedrefugee.org/
