Projects


Host Hub Innovation Hub has been a cornerstone of growth and empowerment in West Nile, and Uganda at large driving impactful projects that address community challenges, promote sustainable development, and empower youth-led organizations. Here are some of our most significant past initiatives:

Host Hub’s ICT4All Project: Empowering Youths with Digital Literacy Skills

The ICT4All Project is an ongoing initiative by Host Hub, launched in January 2023, aimed at equipping youths in Arua City with essential digital literacy skills. Internally funded by Host Hub, this project focuses on providing young people with practical digital knowledge to foster alternative livelihood opportunities, enhance their employability, and promote technological empowerment.

Project Overview:

  • Project Name: ICT4All (Information and Communication Technology for All)
  • Location: Arua City
  • Funding Source: Internally Funded by Host Hub
  • Initial Budget: Non-Cash Contributions
  • Duration: Began on 9th January 2023 and remains active as an ongoing project.
  • Target Group: Focused on holiday makers and other youth groups eager to develop digital skills.

Project Goals and Focus Areas:

The ICT4All Project seeks to create a sustainable impact by equipping participants with the following skills:

  • Website Development: Teaching modern techniques for building and managing websites.
  • Videography: Hands-on training in capturing, editing, and producing high-quality video content.
  • Audio Production: Comprehensive skills in audio recording, editing, and production.
  • Basic Computer Skills: Fundamental knowledge of using computers effectively.
  • Basic Digital Literacy Skills: Covering online navigation, communication, and the safe use of digital tools.
  • Data Analysis: Training in understanding, interpreting, and presenting data to solve problems or inform decisions.

Key Highlights of ICT4All:

  • Empowering Arua City’s Youth: By providing holiday makers and unemployed youth with valuable digital skills, the program helps foster economic independence and alternative career paths.
  • Self-Sustained Initiative: As an internally funded project, ICT4All reflects Host Hub’s commitment to empowering communities without relying on external funding.
  • Contributing to Digital Inclusion: The project bridges the digital divide in Arua City by ensuring that young people, especially those from underserved communities, gain access to life-changing digital opportunities.
  • Hands-On Training: Participants engage in practical exercises that build their technical expertise and confidence in using digital tools.

Ongoing Progress and Future Plans:

Since its inception, ICT4All has successfully engaged numerous young participants in Arua City, enabling them to apply their skills in meaningful ways. The project remains active, with ongoing sessions targeting new groups of youths, particularly holiday makers, ensuring a continuous pipeline of skill development.Looking ahead, Host Hub plans to:

  • Expand the program to reach more youths across the West Nile region.
  • Introduce advanced modules for participants ready to deepen their expertise in digital fields.
  • Collaborate with local businesses to provide internship opportunities for trainees.

Creating a Digital Future for Arua City:

The ICT4All Project continues to reflect Host Hub’s mission to create sustainable, innovative solutions for youth empowerment. By investing in digital literacy, the project not only equips participants with skills for the modern workforce but also fosters a culture of innovation and self-reliance in Arua City.This ongoing initiative underscores Host Hub's belief in the transformative power of technology to change lives and create a better future for all.

Sensegrass Partnership for Agricultural Innovation - On Going

Project Period: November 2018 – Ongoing

Overview:

In 2018, Host Hub entered into a strategic partnership with Sensegrass Technology, an innovative agritech company from India, to revolutionize agriculture in Uganda. The collaboration, known as “Sensegrass Africa Agriculture Development,” aimed to introduce cutting-edge soil intelligence technology to support local farmers and enhance sustainable agricultural practices in West Nile and beyond.

Project Scope and Contributions:

  • Local Implementation by Host Hub: Host Hub played a pivotal role in the on-ground implementation of the project, covering all local costs associated with operations, marketing, and outreach. Our team ensured the technology was accessible and beneficial to the farming communities.
  • Technological Advancement by Sensegrass: Sensegrass contributed the core technology, supplying hardware and software solutions from their offices in India. Their world-class soil monitoring technology provided farmers with real-time insights into soil health, nutrient levels, and optimal agricultural practices.

Key Achievements:

Agricultural Innovation: The partnership brought smart farming technology to Ugandan agriculture, enabling data-driven decisions and boosting crop yields sustainably.

  • Community Impact: Farmers gained access to soil intelligence tools, which improved resource efficiency and contributed to better environmental stewardship.
  • Capacity Building: Host Hub facilitated training and support for farmers and agricultural stakeholders, enhancing their understanding and utilization of Sensegrass technology.

Future Aspirations:

Building on the success of this partnership, Host Hub remains committed to leveraging technology for agricultural development and continuing our mission of fostering sustainability and economic growth in Uganda.

Empower Youth: Skills for Livelihood Project (2023)

In 2023, Host Hub implemented the "Empower Youth: Skills for Livelihood Project", a transformative initiative aimed at equipping young adults in Arua City with practical skills for economic empowerment. Funded by the Civil Society Strengthening Network (CSSN) with a modest budget of, the project ran from November 1, 2023, to December 18, 2023, and targeted youth aged 18 to 30 years.

Project Overview and Objectives

The Empower Youth: Skills for Livelihood Project was designed to address youth unemployment by fostering practical skills that enable self-reliance and entrepreneurship. The project aimed to bridge the gap between limited economic opportunities and the untapped potential of young people in the region.

Key Skills Training Areas

The initiative focused on four critical livelihood skills:

  1. Briquette Making: Training participants in producing eco-friendly briquettes as an alternative to traditional charcoal, promoting sustainable energy practices.
  2. ICT Literacy: Equipping youth with basic computer and digital skills to enhance employability and access to opportunities in the digital economy.
  3. Crafts Making: Teaching participants how to create and market handmade crafts, fostering creativity and innovation.
  4. Soap Making: Providing training in soap production, enabling participants to start small businesses and contribute to household incomes.

Target Audience and Impact

The program engaged youth aged 18 to 30 years in Arua City, with a focus on fostering sustainable livelihoods. By the end of the training, participants had not only gained hands-on experience in these skills but also acquired entrepreneurial knowledge to help them establish or expand their own income-generating activities.

Strategic Goals

  • Empower young adults with sustainable skills for economic self-reliance.
  • Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among participants.
  • Promote sustainable practices such as eco-friendly briquette making.
  • Contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment in Arua City.

A Sustainable Path Forward

The Empower Youth: Skills for Livelihood Project aligns with Host Hub’s broader vision of empowering communities and fostering sustainable development in West Nile. By equipping young people with skills that promote economic independence and resilience, the project has laid a foundation for long-term impact, enabling youth to become active contributors to their communities' growth.This initiative reflects Host Hub's ongoing commitment to addressing pressing social challenges through innovative and impactful solutions. With its focus on youth empowerment, the project has provided a model for future initiatives aimed at fostering economic transformation and community resilience in the region.

Host TV: Amplifying Voices, Celebrating Stories, A Legacy of the Aga Khan-Funded Tech for Tourism Exploration Project

In 2022, the Aga Khan Foundation awarded funding under the Covid Recovery Fund to Host Hub to support media initiatives that would promote local content and community development. 

This funding, which ran from October to December 2022, laid the foundation for the creation of Host TV, a self-sustaining media venture that officially launched in 2023 as part of the Tech for Tourism Exploration initiative.

Host TV is a strategic component of Host Hub's efforts to amplify the voices of Uganda’s underserved regions, particularly West Nile, and to use media as a tool for community empowerment and tourism promotion. The channel was designed to serve as a platform for showcasing local stories, promoting sustainable tourism, and supporting community development, all while fostering local talent and content creators.

Key Highlights of Host TV under the Aga Khan-Funded Initiative:

  • Origin and Funding: The idea for Host TV emerged from the Aga Khan Foundation’s Covid Recovery Fund initiative, which sought to assist businesses and communities impacted by the pandemic. With this support, Host Hub was able to develop a media channel that would serve as a vital source of information and entertainment for the people of West Nile and beyond. Host TV was launched as a self-sustaining initiative in 2023, following the successful implementation of the recovery program.
  • Award-Winning Success: Since its launch in 2023, Host TV has quickly risen to prominence, winning the West Nile Quality Brand Award as the Best TV Station in West Nile. This recognition underscores the channel’s commitment to delivering high-quality content that is both engaging and relevant to local audiences.
  • 24/7 Global Accessibility: Today, Host TV runs 24/7 and is available globally via the YOTV platform, Afro Mobile, and the dedicated Host Media App. This wide availability has enabled the channel to reach both local and international viewers, providing an invaluable platform for sharing the stories of Uganda’s diverse communities.
  • Sustainable Media for Community Development: Host TV continues to drive local development by focusing on themes such as youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage. Its round-the-clock programming is designed to inform, inspire, and connect people, fostering community development while also promoting tourism as a sustainable economic driver for West Nile.
  • Self-Sustaining Model: Having transitioned from a project funded under the Covid Recovery Fund, Host TV has now evolved into a fully self-sustaining initiative under the Host Media startup. The channel’s sustainability is driven by its growing viewership, innovative content offerings, and its role in local tourism promotion, ensuring long-term viability and impact.

A Vision for Sustainable Tourism and Media:

Through its focus on responsible tourism and local community engagement, Host TV plays a crucial role in promoting West Nile’s tourism potential while emphasizing sustainability. The channel’s diverse programming highlights the region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and opportunities for growth while encouraging responsible practices that benefit both local communities and the environment.

With continued support from the Aga Khan Foundation and its own growing base of viewers and partners, Host TV is poised to continue as a powerful tool for change, inspiring the next generation of content creators, promoting sustainable tourism, and fostering community development across Uganda.

Host Radio: A Voice for Local Communities - Host Hub’s Sustainable Initiative: Host Radio under the Aga Khan 2022 Fund

Building on the success of Host TV, Host Radio was launched as a significant extension of Host Hub’s vision to empower and uplift communities through media. The creation of Host Radio is another key outcome of the Aga Khan Foundation’s 2022 Covid Recovery Fund, which supported Host Hub’s initiatives from October to December 2022. While Host TV began its operations in 2023, Host Radio officially went on air in 2024, offering a new platform for the community to share stories, experiences, and ideas. 

The radio station was developed to complement the media offerings of Host Hub, providing a diverse range of programming with a focus on community development, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and local tourism.

Key Highlights of Host Radio under the Tech for Tourism Exploration Project:

  • A Result of the Aga Khan 2022 Fund: Host Radio came to life thanks to the funding provided by the Aga Khan Foundation through the Covid Recovery Fund in 2022. This initiative allowed Host Hub to enhance its media infrastructure, creating a platform that would not only entertain but also educate, inform, and foster community development.
  • A Self-Sustaining Radio Initiative: Launched in 2024, Host Radio operates as a self-sustaining media outlet under the Host Media startup, much like Host TV. The radio station aims to generate long-term value for its listeners while remaining financially independent through innovative programming and strategic partnerships.
  • Promoting Local Voices: Like Host TV, Host Radio is focused on amplifying local voices. The station provides a platform for residents of West Nile and surrounding areas to share their stories, music, cultural practices, and news. This helps strengthen community bonds and promote regional pride.
  • Diverse Programming: Host Radio offers a broad spectrum of content, including news updates, cultural programming, talk shows, music, and educational segments. The station’s content focuses on key topics such as youth empowerment, environmental issues, local tourism, and health awareness, all of which contribute to sustainable community development.
  • Enhancing Tourism Through Audio: In line with the Tech for Tourism Exploration project, Host Radio plays a crucial role in promoting West Nile as a destination for sustainable tourism. The station broadcasts in-depth discussions on tourism opportunities, highlights local landmarks, and showcases the region’s potential to global and local listeners.
  • Impacting Community Development: Since going on air in 2024, Host Radio has become a vital tool for community engagement and development. By covering topics that resonate with the local population and discussing issues that matter most, the station is having a positive influence on residents’ lives, helping to inform, educate, and entertain.
  • A Global Reach: Host Radio is also part of Host Hub’s global media footprint. With its content available to listeners both locally and internationally, it strengthens Host Media’s presence and outreach, bringing West Nile’s stories to the world.

A Sustainable Media Solution for the Future:

Just like Host TV, Host Radio reflects Host Hub's commitment to long-term sustainability. With its diverse range of programming and focus on local, regional, and international issues, the station is set to contribute to West Nile’s growth, particularly by boosting the tourism sector through community-driven narratives and awareness-raising campaigns. With the backing of the Aga Khan Foundation, Host Radio is poised to play a pivotal role in Uganda’s media landscape, building on its foundation as a sustainable, community-focused initiative under the Tech for Tourism Exploration project. As a platform that continues to serve the region and beyond, Host Radio will remain a key asset in driving community development and the promotion of sustainable tourism.

Open Civic Space for Youth: The Youth CSO Hub

Host Hub continues to champion youth empowerment and civic engagement through its transformative initiative, the Youth CSO Hub, launched under the Network for Active Citizens project. This initiative is part of the Open Civic Space for Youth program and has been instrumental in supporting youth-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) within Arua City and the broader West Nile region.

The Youth CSO Hub: A Collaborative Space

Launched in January 2023, the Youth CSO Hub is managed by Host Hub and serves as a vibrant collaborative workspace for youth-based CSOs. The Hub was established to address the challenges posed by a shrinking civic space by offering an environment where youth organizations can innovate, co-create, and amplify their impact.As of 2024, the Hub has grown to become a home for over 50 CSOs, with a dynamic 20 active youth-led CSOs regularly using the space for collaboration, capacity building, and advocacy efforts. This shared environment fosters the exchange of ideas and resources, enhancing the sustainability and effectiveness of youth-driven development initiatives.

Key Features of the Youth CSO Hub:

  1. Coordination and Management of CSOs:
    The Youth CSO Hub provides structured administration and coordination for its member organizations, enabling efficient management and promoting collective action to address community challenges.
  2. Shared Workspaces for Innovation:
    The Hub offers a physical space equipped with resources and facilities that support CSO operations, capacity building, and advocacy campaigns. This shared space encourages networking and collaboration among CSOs.
  3. Empowering Youth Leadership:
    The Hub is dedicated to empowering youth-led CSOs to navigate the complexities of civic engagement. Through mentoring, training, and resource-sharing, the initiative strengthens the capacity of young leaders to drive impactful change in their communities.
  4. Inclusive Civic Engagement:
    By bringing together a diverse array of youth-focused organizations, the Hub creates an inclusive platform for addressing civic challenges, promoting social justice, and advocating for youth priorities.
  5. Sustainability through Co-Creation:
    The collaborative model encourages member organizations to share responsibilities and resources, ensuring that the Hub remains sustainable and responsive to the evolving needs of its members.

Impact and Progress (2023–2024):

  • Host to 50 CSOs: The Youth CSO Hub now accommodates over 50 youth-led CSOs, serving as a central hub for collaboration and community-driven development.
  • 20 Active Organizations: Current data indicates that 20 active CSOs are co-creating and sharing the Hub’s facilities, working on a wide range of social, economic, and environmental issues.
  • Driving Civic Space Expansion: The initiative has played a critical role in supporting youth organizations to thrive in an environment where civic space is often limited, thereby strengthening their voice and influence in public discourse.

Partnership and Support:

The Network for Active Citizens has been instrumental in funding and supporting the Open Civic Space for Youth project. Although this support is non-cash, it has provided essential resources, training, and networks that ensure the success of the Hub and its members.

Vision for the Future:

The Youth CSO Hub embodies Host Hub’s commitment to sustainability, youth empowerment, and community development. Looking forward, the Hub will continue to grow as a center for civic innovation, with plans to onboard more CSOs and expand its impact across Uganda and the East African region.By providing a physical and collaborative space for youth-led CSOs, the Youth CSO Hub ensures that young leaders have the resources, networks, and support they need to address pressing challenges and drive meaningful change.