ICT
Young Ugandan Innovators Win Grants at UJ-Connect Demo Day
Four Ugandan innovation teams have received grants worth a combined USD 6,500 to develop and commercialise their technology solutions following the UJ-Connect Entrepreneurs' Demo Day held on 10th November 2026 at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala.
The event marked the completion of the fourth batch of the UJ-Connect Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Programme, supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Eight teams showcased innovations addressing challenges in agriculture, health, energy and other sectors after three months of training and mentorship.
The event was attended by the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance (Information), Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, representatives of the Embassy of Japan and JICA, officials from the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), mentors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Ssebugwawo congratulated the young innovators for developing practical solutions to challenges affecting communities. She noted that their achievements demonstrated the importance of equipping young people with the skills and opportunities to turn their ideas into viable businesses.
The Minister explained that Uganda's digital economy is central to the country's economic growth agenda, particularly in creating employment opportunities and developing local ICT solutions for agriculture, health, education, financial services and public administration.
She appreciated the Government of Japan and JICA for supporting the programme, noting that the partnership had helped young Ugandans move from classroom learning to developing products with the potential to compete in local and international markets.
Hon. Ssebugwawo encouraged the innovators to view the Demo Day as a milestone rather than the end of their journey. She urged them to remain engaged with their mentors, industry partners and the National ICT Innovation Hub as they continue improving their products.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde emphasised the importance of investing in innovations that can grow into sustainable businesses and create employment opportunities.
She explained that startups often begin with small teams but require additional employees as their products gain customers and expand into larger markets.
Dr. Zawedde cited Sumic Solutions Limited as an example of a Ugandan company that had benefited from UJ-Connect. Its founder shared how the programme helped the company establish partnerships with Japanese businesses and access opportunities in other international markets.
She also acknowledged that not every innovation succeeds commercially, noting that developing successful products requires continuous testing, improvement and a clear understanding of customer needs. She encouraged innovators to focus on solving real problems and use the grants to prepare their products for the market.
Representing the Government of Japan, the Deputy Ambassador highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Uganda and Japan, particularly in infrastructure development, human resource development and innovation.
He noted that UJ-Connect had supported more than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and students through practical training and mentorship while strengthening UICT's capacity to continue delivering entrepreneurship programmes.
The JICA Senior Representative commended the participants for their creativity and determination, encouraging them to remain open to feedback and adapt their business models to meet customer needs.
He explained that the programme's long-term success would be measured not only by the number of entrepreneurs trained but also by the businesses established, jobs created and innovations contributing to Uganda's economic development.
Earlier, Mr. Ambrose Bakwasiibwe, speaking on behalf of UICT leadership, highlighted the achievements recorded across the four batches of UJ-Connect. He called upon investors, businesses and development partners to support promising innovations and help young entrepreneurs take their products to market.
During the Demo Day, the eight participating teams presented their solutions to a panel of judges, who assessed them based on business model feasibility, originality and team strength.
Solar Care Uganda emerged as the overall winner, receiving USD 3,000. Hydro Guard took second place with USD 2,000, followed by Zapher Farms in third place with USD 1,000, while Eco Swap Energies received USD 500 in fourth place.
The grants will support further product development, testing and commercialisation. Outstanding entrepreneurs from the fourth batch are also expected to participate in study visits to India or Vietnam, providing opportunities to learn from other startup ecosystems and explore potential business partnerships.
With UJ-Connect approaching completion in early 2027, the Ministry and UICT are working to sustain the programme by integrating entrepreneurship training into academic programmes, strengthening local trainers and extending mentorship opportunities to regional ICT innovation hubs.
The initiative is part of the Ministry's wider efforts to promote locally developed ICT solutions, support entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities for young Ugandans.
The event marked the completion of the fourth batch of the UJ-Connect Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Programme, supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Eight teams showcased innovations addressing challenges in agriculture, health, energy and other sectors after three months of training and mentorship.
The event was attended by the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance (Information), Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde, representatives of the Embassy of Japan and JICA, officials from the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), mentors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Ssebugwawo congratulated the young innovators for developing practical solutions to challenges affecting communities. She noted that their achievements demonstrated the importance of equipping young people with the skills and opportunities to turn their ideas into viable businesses.
The Minister explained that Uganda's digital economy is central to the country's economic growth agenda, particularly in creating employment opportunities and developing local ICT solutions for agriculture, health, education, financial services and public administration.
She appreciated the Government of Japan and JICA for supporting the programme, noting that the partnership had helped young Ugandans move from classroom learning to developing products with the potential to compete in local and international markets.
Hon. Ssebugwawo encouraged the innovators to view the Demo Day as a milestone rather than the end of their journey. She urged them to remain engaged with their mentors, industry partners and the National ICT Innovation Hub as they continue improving their products.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde emphasised the importance of investing in innovations that can grow into sustainable businesses and create employment opportunities.
She explained that startups often begin with small teams but require additional employees as their products gain customers and expand into larger markets.
Dr. Zawedde cited Sumic Solutions Limited as an example of a Ugandan company that had benefited from UJ-Connect. Its founder shared how the programme helped the company establish partnerships with Japanese businesses and access opportunities in other international markets.
She also acknowledged that not every innovation succeeds commercially, noting that developing successful products requires continuous testing, improvement and a clear understanding of customer needs. She encouraged innovators to focus on solving real problems and use the grants to prepare their products for the market.
Representing the Government of Japan, the Deputy Ambassador highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Uganda and Japan, particularly in infrastructure development, human resource development and innovation.
He noted that UJ-Connect had supported more than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and students through practical training and mentorship while strengthening UICT's capacity to continue delivering entrepreneurship programmes.
The JICA Senior Representative commended the participants for their creativity and determination, encouraging them to remain open to feedback and adapt their business models to meet customer needs.
He explained that the programme's long-term success would be measured not only by the number of entrepreneurs trained but also by the businesses established, jobs created and innovations contributing to Uganda's economic development.
Earlier, Mr. Ambrose Bakwasiibwe, speaking on behalf of UICT leadership, highlighted the achievements recorded across the four batches of UJ-Connect. He called upon investors, businesses and development partners to support promising innovations and help young entrepreneurs take their products to market.
During the Demo Day, the eight participating teams presented their solutions to a panel of judges, who assessed them based on business model feasibility, originality and team strength.
Solar Care Uganda emerged as the overall winner, receiving USD 3,000. Hydro Guard took second place with USD 2,000, followed by Zapher Farms in third place with USD 1,000, while Eco Swap Energies received USD 500 in fourth place.
The grants will support further product development, testing and commercialisation. Outstanding entrepreneurs from the fourth batch are also expected to participate in study visits to India or Vietnam, providing opportunities to learn from other startup ecosystems and explore potential business partnerships.
With UJ-Connect approaching completion in early 2027, the Ministry and UICT are working to sustain the programme by integrating entrepreneurship training into academic programmes, strengthening local trainers and extending mentorship opportunities to regional ICT innovation hubs.
The initiative is part of the Ministry's wider efforts to promote locally developed ICT solutions, support entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities for young Ugandans.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
