UICT Innovation Bootcamp Empowers Students to Commercialize Projects

The Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), in partnership with the National ICT Innovation Hub, has launched a dynamic initiative designed to unlock the commercial potential of student innovations. Students from different disciplines participated in the four-day Innovation Bootcamp & Pitch 2025 held at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa. 

The bootcamp aimed to empower final-year students to convert their academic projects into viable, market-ready business solutions. Under the theme “Transforming Student Projects into Minimum Viable Products & Services en route to Commercialisation,” the bootcamp brought together stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and the broader innovation ecosystem. 

The shared goal was to support student-led solutions capable of addressing Uganda’s pressing socio-economic challenges. Speaking at the launch, Gastervas Rutwara Mugume, Head of the Research and Innovations Unit at UICT, emphasized the transformative nature of the bootcamp. “Each year, our students develop exceptional projects, many of which end with grading. This bootcamp changed that by offering a practical platform where students could refine, prototype, and pitch their solutions with guidance from experienced experts and policymakers,” he said.

Participants underwent hands-on training in critical areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, including design thinking, prototyping, business model development, intellectual property rights, industry collaboration, and startup financing. 

Mary Adikini, one of the participants who developed a health app, explained: “We are working with different gyms so that people can book their gym sessions seamlessly and also book professional physical fitness trainers that can meet their needs.” Their are can also offer virtual sessions when Ugandans can work out while at home or work workplace," she added.

Adikini also pointed out the health benefits of the app: “With this Ugandan-made health app, many people will learn how to avoid non-communicable diseases, which can be avoided by working out.” The programme culminated in a high-stakes pitch competition where students showcased their projects before a panel of expert judges, including investors and industry leaders.

The Innovation Bootcamp & Pitch 2025 is part of UICT’s broader strategy to promote applied research and innovation aligned with Uganda’s national development goals. It contributes to Uganda Vision 2040, the Third National Development Plan (NDP III), and the Digital Transformation Roadmap (2023/24–2027/28), championed by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.

At least 10 promising student-led projects were selected for continued mentorship and possible incubation—a tangible step toward strengthening Uganda’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, especially among the youth. 

The event was made possible through support from key partners, including the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U), Lwera Electronics & Semiconductors Ltd, RENU, Innovation Village, and the Centre for Innovations and Technology Transfer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). 

These organizations played a pivotal role in offering mentorship, technical infrastructure, and valuable networks to help scale student innovations.