U-RIL | U-RIL and MIIC Join Forces to Strengthen MEAL Support for AI Innovation in Uganda

Over 10–11 June 2026, the Uganda Response Innovation Lab (U-RIL) and Makerere University Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC) delivered two days of specialised training. marking the start of a new collaboration between the two innovation champions in the ecosystem around innovation monitoring, evidence generation, and learning.

The training centred on U-RIL's SHINE-IT—the Social/Humanitarian Innovator's Necessary Evidence and Information Toolkit—a practical framework designed to help innovators establish systems for evidence generation, monitoring, learning, adaptation, and impact documentation throughout the innovation lifecycle. MIIC is currently supporting a cohort of innovators developing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven solutions aimed at addressing social, humanitarian, and development challenges across different sectors. As the innovation cohort is transitioning into piloting and solution testing, U-RIL delivered tailored training to both four MIIC staff through a Training of Trainers (ToT) approach, and to a cohort of 22 innovators directly, with the aim of strengthening their capacity in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL).

The successful delivery of both sessions strengthened participants' knowledge and skills in evidence generation, data collection, and reporting for AI innovation pilots, as well as their capacity for learning, adaptation, and reflective practice. For both organisations, it also marks the beginning of a longer collaboration journey — one grounded in a shared commitment to supporting locally-led innovation and strengthening the Ugandan innovation ecosystem.