Nakawa, Kampala — May 19, 2025 The Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming student academic projects into commercially viable solutions. Held in collaboration with the National ICT Innovation Hub, the four-day Innovation Bootcamp & Pitch 2025 took place from May 15–18 at the Hub’s facility in Nakawa.
Under the theme “Transforming Student Projects into Minimum Viable Products & Services enroute to Commercialisation,” the bootcamp drew participation from final-year students, academia, industry experts, and key government bodies. The initiative is part of UICT’s broader strategy to bridge the gap between academic innovation and Uganda’s socio-economic development needs.
Gastervas Rutwara Mugume, Head of the Research and Innovations Unit at UICT, emphasized the significance of the programme in reshaping how student innovations are handled.
“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,” Mugume said.
The event featured intensive workshops on design thinking, prototyping, business model development, intellectual property rights, and startup financing. Students received mentorship from leading industry figures and representatives of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.
The bootcamp concluded with a pitch competition where participants showcased their projects before a panel of judges comprising investors, policy makers, and sector leaders. At least 10 promising projects were shortlisted for further mentorship and possible incubation, marking a tangible step towards commercializing student-led innovations.
Key partners supporting the initiative included the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U), Lwera Electronics & Semi-Conductors Ltd, RENU, Innovation Village, and Centre for Innovations and Technology Transfer (MUST). Their contributions ranged from infrastructure support to strategic mentorship and networking opportunities.
The Innovation Bootcamp aligns with Uganda Vision 2040, the Third National Development Plan (NDP III), and the Digital Transformation Roadmap 2023/24–2027/28, led by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
With the bootcamp’s success, UICT has reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for innovation and a strong advocate for practical, student-led contributions to Uganda’s digital economy.
