For the Insurance Training College, the establishment of a dedicated Research and Innovation Hub has long been more than an idea, it has been an institutional ambition. On 19th May 2026, that ambition became a reality. The College formally partnered with Service Cops Limited through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at ITC's premises in Kampala, marking the official initiation of the ITC Research and Innovation Hub, an initiative set to redefine the intersection of insurance, technology, and talent development in Uganda and across the region.
A Partnership Built on Shared Purpose
The MoU between ITC and Service Cops Limited reflects a convergence of two institutions united by a common conviction: that the future of insurance in Africa depends on professionals who can think beyond traditional practice and build solutions fit for a digital world. The partnership brings together ITC's deep expertise in insurance education and professional development, and Service Cops Limited's capabilities in technology and innovation — creating a platform with the potential to reshape how the industry approaches talent, research, and digital transformation.
Joseph Ndiho, Executive Chairman of Service Cops Limited, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Africa's insurance future. He noted that increasing insurance penetration across the continent will require the industry to move decisively toward digital transformation and customer-centred innovation — and that professionals who understand insurance from the inside are uniquely positioned to build the technologies that will drive that shift.
Why This Hub — and Why Now
Uganda's insurance penetration has remained stubbornly low for years, a challenge the industry has acknowledged but struggled to overcome through conventional approaches alone. Speaking at the signing ceremony, ITC Principal Saul Sseremba was direct about what this moment represents.
"The industry has had enough conversations about innovation. What is needed now are practical, implemented solutions that respond to real market conditions," he said. "This partnership is a significant step toward building an ecosystem that supports innovation, develops industry-ready talent, and strengthens the future of insurance in Uganda and beyond."
Mr. Sseremba emphasized that creating products and services that are more accessible, affordable, and genuinely responsive to customer needs is no longer optional — it is the defining challenge of this generation of insurance professionals, and one that the Hub is specifically designed to address.
What the Hub Will Do
The ITC Research and Innovation Hub will operate as a structured, annual nine-month intensive programme that combines technical training, insurance education, mentorship, and hands-on industry exposure. Participants will develop a distinctive dual competency, grounded insurance knowledge paired with practical digital and technological skills, preparing them to lead innovation from within the sector rather than waiting for it to arrive from outside.
Areas of focus will include digital financial solutions, software development, research methodology, and innovation-driven problem-solving tailored specifically to the insurance environment. The programme will also incorporate internships, collaborative industry projects, and direct engagement with insurance companies, giving participants real-world exposure alongside their technical development.
Beyond individual skills development, the Hub will function as a living centre for research, knowledge exchange, and collaboration between academia and industry — contributing to a more dynamic and evidence-driven innovation ecosystem across Uganda's financial services landscape.
Recruiting the Best: A University Talent Pipeline
Central to the Hub's success is the quality of talent it will develop. Rather than casting a wide net, the programme will take a deliberate and selective approach to recruitment - partnering with universities across Uganda to identify and attract the top-performing talent. Only the most outstanding candidates will be considered, ensuring that the Hub works with individuals who already possess strong technical foundations and the intellectual capacity to apply them creatively within the insurance context.
This university engagement model serves a dual purpose: it gives Uganda's brightest young technology minds a structured pathway into the financial services industry, while simultaneously building a pipeline of innovation-ready professionals that the insurance sector has never had access to before. It is a model that treats talent as something to be actively cultivated from the best of what Uganda's academic institutions produce.
A Dream Finally Realised
For ITC, this moment carries particular significance. The idea of a dedicated hub for insurance research and innovation has been discussed within the institution for years — a vision consistently identified as critical to the College's long-term relevance and impact, but one that required the right partners, the right timing, and the right commitment to bring to life. The signing of this MoU represents the culmination of that journey, and the beginning of a new chapter in ITC's mission to lead the development of Uganda's insurance profession.
Looking Ahead
As digital transformation continues to reshape financial services globally, the ITC Research and Innovation Hub positions Uganda's insurance industry to respond with intention, capability, and a pipeline of professionals ready to build what comes next.
ITC to establish Research and Innovation Hub