We have been around since 2013, under the name - WIMEA-ICT. By the nature of that project, we were a multi-disciplinary team of researchers ranging from research advisors, PhD, Masters and Bachelors student interns. We started with that model and are continuing with it because most of our projects are multi-disciplinary in nature. The challenges we tackle are related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For one to have interesting and meaningful solutions, there is a need to employ different skill sets. We decided at the end of the WIMEA-ICT project, to rebrand ourselves to what we are doing now. The common thread between the research studies we have undertaken since 2013 to-date is Internet of Things (IoT), so decided to be called Internet of Things Research and Applications lab (abbreviated as IoT-ra lab) . We reached out to our stakeholders and invited them today to let them know who we are and our plans.
We are doing research in IoT that targets community problems in the sub-sahara region. We have three pillars namely community, connectivity and continuity, to ensure that our work is sustainable. The lab has 17 active senior researchers that are divided in various disciplines like agriculture, meteorology, entomology etc. We also have four active PhD students attached to this lab, five masters’ students that are funded, and more that are self-funded, and nine bachelors student interns.
The bachelors student interns are a unique resource, mostly not attached to research labs but we have found them to be very helpful. They are hungry for knowledge and available at the same time; so we make good use of them. It is as good for them as it is for the lab because they get to apply what they are learning to real problems in the community. Our first IoT was a weather station, but to get the weather information to the last person, we did a dissemination system which is available via mobile phone. We had previously sub-rented a USSD code (*255*85#) but since we handed over the application to the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), they took up this solution and paid for on a new USSD (*201#). It is currently being funded by UNMA. We are very grateful to NORAD and the Norwegian Embassy for the support. We have also received funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund, UKAid and Makerere Research and Innovation Fund here in Uganda and we are grateful. We are ready to move forward.
Relevance of IoTs to Uganda
According to the Digital Transformation roadmap for Uganda 2023-2028, that was recently launched by the Ministry of ICT, one of the key pillars mentioned in it is infrastructure development, and more specifically, the last mile connectivity. In IoT, we are talking about automating ordinary physical objects so that they can directly send data to the Internet. Examples of ordinary objects in the case of IoT-ra lab include weather stations, beehives, wellness checkers, robotic arm and the like, which are applicable in agriculture, climate action and health.
So, why should the ordinary Ugandan be interested? What is in it for them? All of us want our lives to be simplified as much as possible. We would like to be able to monitor different processes in our homes while we are away at our work places, and vice versa. That means that we have to automate those objects so that they can send data. The IoT-ra lab is here for that purpose. We intend to automate those ordinary physical objects, put intelligence in them so that they can capture the important data, which could be images, text or audio depending on what we need, and then transmit it so that the user can remotely make the necessary decisions. This may need some thinking through, researching, designing and so on to determine various aspects. Is it the soil temperatures, moisture levels, oxygen, nutrients and so on that need to be monitored? Sensors can be deployed for the purpose and an end-to-end IoT designed to complete the cycle of transmitting the recorded data, interpreting it and taking the necessary action on the information received. Whatever requires monitoring, that was previously being done by human beings can be automated. We are, therefore, open to the general public. If anyone feels that they have processes that they would like to monitor remotely, we will support them as a lab to realise that and improve the efficiency of those processes.
Where does Uganda/Africa stand
In terms of the status of Uganda as far as IoT is concerned in relation to East Africa, Africa or even the world is a worthy question to think about. Whenever the global map was displayed showing the connectivity in the different countries, all the areas that had connectivity on the map would be lit, apart from Africa, which is why it came to be known as the Dark Continent, because one would hardly see any light on the African continent. As far as the Internet goes, we can now say that Africa is a lit continent by and large. However, as far as IoT is concerned, we can clearly say that it is dark. One might think it is a foreign, developed country concept, but the data generated is used to build many other things. If that data is biased to the western world, then we continue to be disadvantaged. If we are generating the data and availing it in databases, they are available for the broader development of other technologies as well. This now positions Uganda or Africa in a better place to say that this is how the relevant data shows in Africa. Then they can compare elsewhere as further advancements are being done.
That said, IoT in Africa is still largely dark. Literally everything in the western world is connected – from the time someone wakes up, they may not have to think about anything, but be able to make decisions based on the data that they get. Things relating to transportation, weather and how the people should be dressed up for it, catastrophic events and even investments. So, people are empowered, and that is why the new wave is better. It is the availability of this data that makes companies like Google and Facebook rich, because the more you have this data, the more you can manipulate it to your advantage. Therefore, if we are not putting the IoTs in place to help us generate that data that we have control over, then overall, we are disadvantaged. So, it is important that we pay attention and begin to generate data that can further advance us.