Uganda's insurance industry needs spaces where research and ideas can be translated into practical solutions. The Insurance Training College (ITC) Research and Innovation Hub was established to provide such a platform: bringing together researchers, innovators, and industry professionals to explore challenges, test ideas and develop solutions relevant to the insurance sector.
Launched on 10 September 2026, the Hub creates a pathway for ideas to move beyond discussion to practical application. Speaking at the launch, Saul Sseremba, Principal of ITC, reflected on a challenge he has observed across many innovation conferences and engagements over the years.
According to him, these platforms often generate valuable ideas and commitments, but the challenge comes in taking the next step to put those ideas into practice.
“We always promise to move the key takeaways, but we do not,” he observed.
The Research and Innovation Hub, he noted, is ITC’s way of “walking the talk”; creating a practical space where the ideas generated through such conversations can be explored, tested and developed.
For Sseremba, this means moving innovation beyond conference rooms and discussions to create opportunities for ideas to respond to real challenges in the insurance industry.
Connecting research with industry needs
The Hub will provide a space where insurers can bring forward industry challenges and work with researchers and innovators to explore and develop solutions to them. It will also strengthen collaboration with universities and other stakeholders, while introducing Human-Centred Design (HCD) and prototyping to help turn ideas into solutions that meet human needs.
Rethinking research to anticipate the future
The launch also sparked conversations on the role of research, technology and innovation in driving progress within the insurance industry.
In his remarks, Guest of Honour Joseph Lutwama of FSD Uganda emphasised the need to rethink how research is approached and the questions researchers seek to answer.
Drawing from his passion for research, Lutwama challenged researchers not to become overly dependent on historical data. While past data remains valuable, research that is limited to the past can reinforce existing patterns rather than help identify emerging gaps and opportunities.
He encouraged researchers to think differently and look beyond what has already happened, using approaches such as design thinking to explore what may be needed next.
“Emerging risks, changing technologies, and evolving consumer needs require research that does not simply explain the past but also helps stakeholders anticipate tomorrow,” Lutwama emphasized.
Technology that creates meaningful impact
Joseph Ndiho of Service Cops Uganda highlighted the organisation’s work in advancing financial and digital inclusion through tech-driven solutions that make it easier for people to access and pay for services digitally.
He emphasised the importance of developing innovations with a clear purpose: moving beyond simply creating new technologies to developing solutions that can be commercialised to create meaningful social impact.
Developing the Next Generation of Innovators
A key initiative under the Hub is the inaugural ITC Innovation Cohort, supported by Service Cops Uganda.
The inaugural cohort will undergo a nine-month training programme designed to give participants exposure to three learning environments.
The first will provide a foundation in insurance, helping participants understand the industry and the challenges they may be called upon to address. They will then receive training in technology and innovation, before being placed within insurance companies to gain practical experience and engage with real-world industry challenges.
The programme is designed to take participants beyond classroom learning, giving them an opportunity to identify challenges, explore ideas and apply their knowledge within the insurance environment.
Building Practical Innovation Skills
The first cohort of the ITC Research and Innovation Hub will undertake a nine-month training programme designed to give participants exposure to insurance, technology, innovation, and practical industry experience.
Participants will first build a foundation in insurance, helping them understand the industry and the challenges they may be called upon to address. They will then receive training in technology and innovation from Service Corps Uganda before being placed within insurance companies to gain practical experience and engage with real-world industry challenges.
ITC Launches Research and Innovation Hub