Building UTC: Why We Started the UMU Tech Community
A look at why I founded the UMU Tech Community, what happened at our first meetup, and what we're building toward over the next few months.
Every community starts with one idea.
Last week, we held the very first UMU Tech Community (UTC) Founding Meetup. I started UTC because I kept seeing the same gap: talented students at Uganda Martyrs University building things on their own, with no shared space to learn from each other, showcase what they're working on, or connect with people already in the industry. UTC exists to close that gap.
What started as a simple idea — bring students together through technology — has already become something bigger than I expected.
We were fortunate to have technology professionals join the first meetup and share their experiences. A special thank you to Charles Bbosa Kiyegga for taking the time to speak with us. His insights on innovation, design, and building products pushed us to think bigger, and reinforced something I already believed: good ideas grow faster when people build them together instead of alone.
To everyone who showed up, asked questions, and contributed energy to the room — thank you. That's what made the first meetup one worth remembering.
This is just the beginning. Over the coming months, UTC will be:
Hosting workshops on practical skills (web dev, cloud, AI, cybersecurity) Inviting more industry speakers to share real-world experience Running collaborative build projects so members leave with something shipped, not just notes Participating in hackathons Creating pathways for students to grow beyond what the classroom covers