The Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), in partnership with the National ICT Innovation Hub, successfully held the Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch 2025 a dynamic initiative aimed at turning student innovations into commercially viable products and services.
The four-day event, held from 15th to 18th May 2025 at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, empowered final-year students to transform their academic projects into real-world business solutions.
Held under the theme “Transforming Student Projects into Minimum Viable Products and Services enroute to Commercialization,” the boot camp brought together key players from academia, government, industry, and the innovation ecosystem to nurture high-potential, student-led projects that address Uganda’s socio-economic challenges.
The event was supported by several strategic partners, including the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U), Lwera Electronics and Semiconductors Ltd, RENU, Innovation Village, and the Centre for Innovations and Technology Transfer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
These partners contributed vital mentorship, infrastructure, and networking support necessary to accelerate the growth of student innovations.
At the launch, Gastervas Rutwara Mugume, Head of the Research and Innovations Unit at UICT, emphasized the program’s role in reshaping how student innovation is nurtured.
“Each year, our students produce outstanding projects that often end with academic grading. This bootcamp changed that by providing a practical platform for students to refine, prototype, and pitch their ideas with expert guidance from both industry professionals and policymakers,” he said.
Participants underwent intensive, hands-on training in key areas such as design thinking, prototyping, business model development, intellectual property rights, industry collaboration, and startup financing.
The bootcamp culminated in a pitch competition, where students presented their solutions to a panel of judges comprising industry leaders, policymakers, and potential investors.
The Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch 2025 is part of UICT’s broader commitment to fostering applied research and innovation aligned with Uganda’s national development goals.
The initiative contributes directly to the aspirations of 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.
UICT identified at least 10 promising student projects for further mentorship and potential incubation signifying a concrete step toward building a vibrant, youth-driven innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Uganda.
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