Students pursuing information and communication technology (ICT) courses have been encouraged to use their skills to develop innovative solutions that address pressing challenges in society. The call was made during the recently concluded Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch Event 2025, organized by the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT). The four-day event, held from May 15 to 18 at the National ICT Hub in Nakawa, aimed to equip students with the necessary skills to turn academic projects into practical and commercially viable solutions.

The bootcamp brought together 21 shortlisted teams selected from an initial pool of 81 participants. These teams underwent intensive training in design thinking, prototyping, pitching, industry collaboration, and investment readiness. Gastervas Rutwara, UICT’s Research and Innovations Coordinator, explained that the program was designed to shift students’ mindset from viewing their projects as mere academic exercises to seeing them as potential solutions for real-world problems.

He noted that in the past, students would complete their projects, receive marks, and then abandon them without exploring their potential impact. Rutwara emphasized that many of these projects contain innovative ideas capable of solving actual problems. The bootcamp was therefore structured to help students refine their ideas and align them with industry needs, pushing them toward commercialization.

The event was supported by key partners including Lweera Electronics, NITA-U, and RENU, all working toward the common goal of transforming student innovations into impactful solutions. Edson Nkurunungi, Head of ICT and Engineering at UICT, stressed the importance of moving student projects beyond the ideation phase. He explained that most student projects in the past only served academic purposes and were never developed further. The bootcamp was designed to change this by guiding students in transforming their ideas into minimum viable products that address real challenges in health, agriculture, climate change, and other critical sectors.

Several student-led innovations showcased at the event focused on key areas such as public health, service delivery, and employment. One such innovation was the Gym Appointment Scheduling App developed by a team that included Mary Adikin. She explained that their app was designed to help people overcome common barriers to exercising, such as time constraints and overcrowded gyms. The app allows users to book professional trainers, track their health in real time, and even access virtual training sessions from anywhere.

Another notable innovation was the Click to Assist handyman service app, co-created by George Nakisisa. He highlighted how their platform addresses unemployment among skilled youth by connecting professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and mechanics with potential customers. Nakisisa noted that many vocational graduates struggle to find work despite their skills, and their app provides a solution by making it easier for them to connect with clients. He added that the app is ready for the market and only requires funding to scale up.

Rutwara confirmed that UICT is committed to supporting the top teams by providing seed funding and facilitating industry partnerships to help them commercialize their innovations. The bootcamp concluded with a pitch competition judged by a panel of experts from academia and the tech industry. The winners were announced during an awards ceremony held on Sunday.

The RFID Book Detecting System emerged as the overall winner, while the AI Tool for Hypertension Diagnosis & Treatment secured first runner-up. The second runner-up position went to the Facial Detection Car Security System. Other notable finalists included NdiMukozi, an AI-powered handyman service app, and two projects that tied for fifth place: CampusBite, a student-exclusive food delivery app, and the Gym Appointment Scheduling App.

The event demonstrated the potential of student innovations in addressing real-world challenges when given the right support and guidance. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, initiatives like the Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch Event play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and problem solvers. The participating students left the event not only with enhanced skills but also with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to turn their ideas into solutions that can transform communities and drive economic growth.

As Uganda and the wider East African region continue to embrace digital transformation, the role of young innovators in shaping the future cannot be underestimated. The UICT bootcamp serves as a model for how educational institutions can foster innovation by providing students with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities needed to bring their ideas to life. With continued support from industry partners and policymakers, these student-led solutions have the potential to make a lasting impact on society.