UbuntuNet Alliance successfully conducted a five-day eduroam and Identity Federation Training in Kampala, Uganda, from 17 to 21 August 2026. The workshop brought together 25 network and systems engineers from 13 member National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) across Eastern and Southern Africa, strengthening the technical and institutional capacity needed to support secure, federated digital services across the research and education institutions in the region.
Funded by the European Union under the AfricaConnect4 project, the training was part of UbuntuNet Alliance’s ongoing efforts to strengthen NREN capabilities and support the development of sustainable research and education infrastructure across the region. The Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) hosted the training.
The workshop combined instructor-led sessions with hands-on exercises, enabling participants to develop practical skills in identity management, eduroam deployment, identity federation, metadata exchange, and federation governance. The practical approach equipped participants with knowledge and skills to deploy, operate, secure, and expand federated identity and eduroam services within their respective NRENs and institutions.
The training was facilitated by Alex Mwotil of Makerere University and Brenda Namuli of RENU, who guided participants through the technical and operational aspects of implementing and managing federated services.
Beyond the technical skills gained, the workshop provided an important platform for engineers from participating NRENs across the region to exchange experiences, and strengthen professional networks. Nicholas Mbonimpa, CEO of RENU, highlighted the importance of these connections in sustaining collaboration long after the training concludes.
“More important than the technical skills is the connection that we build; the community of people. That community will help you for many years to come.”
The training underscored the importance of regional collaboration and continuous capacity development in expanding trusted digital services for research and education. As NRENs continue to strengthen interconnected services that support mobility, collaboration, and access to digital resources, building a strong community of skilled network and systems professionals remains essential.
The Kampala training contributes to UbuntuNet Alliance’s continued work under the AfricaConnect4 project to build sustainable technical capacity, strengthen regional collaboration, and support the growth of secure and federated research and education services across Eastern and Southern Africa.
