Partnerships
83 Young Innovators Begin Their Entrepreneurship Journey
On 21st July 2026, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance officially launched Batch Four of the Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship (ETM) Program at the National ICT Innovation Hub, welcoming 83 young innovators from across Uganda into a programme designed to help them transform promising ideas into sustainable businesses.
The programme is implemented under UJ-Connect, the Uganda-Japan ICT Industry Promotion Project, a partnership between the Government of Uganda and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is delivered in collaboration with the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) and the National ICT Innovation Hub.
The orientation brought together officials from Government, JICA, the Embassy of Japan, academia, industry and the innovation community, all working towards a common goal of preparing Uganda's next generation of technology entrepreneurs.
Welcoming the participants, UICT Principal Dr. Frederick Kitoogo described the programme as an investment in Uganda's future, equipping young innovators with the skills, networks and opportunities needed to build successful enterprises. "This programme is more than entrepreneurship and innovation. It is an investment in the future. By equipping innovators with the right skills and opportunities, we are contributing directly to building a thriving economy."
Speaking on behalf of JICA, Chief Representative Mr. Osaki Mitsuhiro encouraged participants to see entrepreneurship as a journey of continuous learning and growth. "Starting the entrepreneurship journey while still at university gives young innovators time to learn, test, improve and grow. I encourage our founders to balance their studies with the programme, remain curious and committed, and build solutions that improve lives and shape a brighter future."
Representing the Ministry, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde said the programme addresses a common challenge faced by many young innovators. While Uganda has no shortage of creative ideas, many never grow into successful businesses because their founders lack the support needed to commercialise them.
She explained that the ETM Programme provides practical entrepreneurship training, mentorship, business development support and international exposure to help participants refine their ideas, protect their intellectual property, access new markets and build investment-ready businesses.
"This is much more than a training programme. It is an opportunity to strengthen ideas, build businesses and develop solutions that address real challenges in our communities," she said.
Dr. Zawedde encouraged the participants to embrace feedback, stay resilient and make the most of the opportunity they had earned through a highly competitive selection process.
"Do not fear setbacks. Every successful entrepreneur learns, adapts, and keeps moving forward."
The event also celebrated the progress made by earlier cohorts. Previous participants have received Proof of Concept grants, developed start-up businesses, showcased their innovations at GITEX Global in Dubai, and taken part in innovation exchange programmes in Japan and Vietnam. Others have connected with international partners, creating new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The Permanent Secretary said the initiative supports Uganda's National Development Plan IV and the Government's Tenfold Growth Strategy by strengthening human capital and promoting innovation across sectors such as agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital public services.
She noted that solutions developed by Ugandan innovators have the potential to address local challenges while creating products and services that can compete across East Africa and the wider African market.
As UJ-Connect enters its next phase, the Ministry and its partners are focused on ensuring that the programme continues to nurture innovators beyond the current project period, creating a stronger and more sustainable innovation ecosystem.
For the 83 participants beginning Batch Four, the journey starts with an opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, sharpen their ideas and build businesses capable of creating jobs, improving lives and contributing to Uganda's digital and economic transformation.
The programme is implemented under UJ-Connect, the Uganda-Japan ICT Industry Promotion Project, a partnership between the Government of Uganda and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is delivered in collaboration with the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) and the National ICT Innovation Hub.
The orientation brought together officials from Government, JICA, the Embassy of Japan, academia, industry and the innovation community, all working towards a common goal of preparing Uganda's next generation of technology entrepreneurs.
Welcoming the participants, UICT Principal Dr. Frederick Kitoogo described the programme as an investment in Uganda's future, equipping young innovators with the skills, networks and opportunities needed to build successful enterprises. "This programme is more than entrepreneurship and innovation. It is an investment in the future. By equipping innovators with the right skills and opportunities, we are contributing directly to building a thriving economy."
Speaking on behalf of JICA, Chief Representative Mr. Osaki Mitsuhiro encouraged participants to see entrepreneurship as a journey of continuous learning and growth. "Starting the entrepreneurship journey while still at university gives young innovators time to learn, test, improve and grow. I encourage our founders to balance their studies with the programme, remain curious and committed, and build solutions that improve lives and shape a brighter future."
Representing the Ministry, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde said the programme addresses a common challenge faced by many young innovators. While Uganda has no shortage of creative ideas, many never grow into successful businesses because their founders lack the support needed to commercialise them.
She explained that the ETM Programme provides practical entrepreneurship training, mentorship, business development support and international exposure to help participants refine their ideas, protect their intellectual property, access new markets and build investment-ready businesses.
"This is much more than a training programme. It is an opportunity to strengthen ideas, build businesses and develop solutions that address real challenges in our communities," she said.
Dr. Zawedde encouraged the participants to embrace feedback, stay resilient and make the most of the opportunity they had earned through a highly competitive selection process.
"Do not fear setbacks. Every successful entrepreneur learns, adapts, and keeps moving forward."
The event also celebrated the progress made by earlier cohorts. Previous participants have received Proof of Concept grants, developed start-up businesses, showcased their innovations at GITEX Global in Dubai, and taken part in innovation exchange programmes in Japan and Vietnam. Others have connected with international partners, creating new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The Permanent Secretary said the initiative supports Uganda's National Development Plan IV and the Government's Tenfold Growth Strategy by strengthening human capital and promoting innovation across sectors such as agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital public services.
She noted that solutions developed by Ugandan innovators have the potential to address local challenges while creating products and services that can compete across East Africa and the wider African market.
As UJ-Connect enters its next phase, the Ministry and its partners are focused on ensuring that the programme continues to nurture innovators beyond the current project period, creating a stronger and more sustainable innovation ecosystem.
For the 83 participants beginning Batch Four, the journey starts with an opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, sharpen their ideas and build businesses capable of creating jobs, improving lives and contributing to Uganda's digital and economic transformation.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
