On 30^th October 2026, the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre (MakEOC), in collaboration with the Department of Marketing and Management, School of Business at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), recognised and awarded outstanding student innovators and entrepreneurs during the 10^th Annual Makerere University Students’ Expo.

Held at the Freedom Square under the theme “Youth Innovations to Scale Uganda’s Growth Tenfold,” the expo showcased 900 student-led projects. The initiative focused on transforming youth ingenuity into sustainable enterprises, creating investment opportunities, and driving employment to support Uganda’s national growth agenda.

Solar Innovation Takes Centre Stage

Out of the 900 competing projects, three student enterprises emerged on top, led by a groundbreaking green-energy solution:

• Overall Winner: KIJAY Solar Shelter Innovations Limited (Solar Shelter)-won the top prize for developing the “Solar Breeze Umbrella and a solar-powered structure.” This eco-friendly innovation provides essential shade, ventilation, and lighting tailored for rural schools, outdoor market vendors, and restaurant operators.

• First Runner-Up: Smart Attend Limited-Developed an automated mobile application that tracks classroom attendance by allowing students to log in and out securely under a lecturer’s direct supervision.

• Second Runner-Up: Magic Spoon Enterprise-Innovated “powdered yoghurt” by converting freshly made yoghurt into powder through a freeze-drying process. This project addresses preservation challenges by extending shelf life, easing storage, and removing dependency on refrigeration.

Robust Student Participation

Dr Sarah Bimbona, the Director of MakEOC at CoBAMS, revealed that the Expo marked the culmination of preparations undertaken throughout the semester by entrepreneurship students. “The 10^th Edition attracted 900 participants, specifically bringing together 600 undergraduate students and 300 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students. All the submitted projects underwent a rigorous evaluation process,” she reported.

The competitive expo featured innovative solutions from students across multiple academic programmes, including:

• Bachelor of Commerce (Year One)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Year Two)
• Bachelor of Arts with Education (Entrepreneurship)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Prioritising Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Dean of the School of Business at CoBAMS, Assoc. Prof. Godfrey Akileng, described the Students’ Expo and Entrepreneurship Congress as highly successful milestones. He urged students to sustain their entrepreneurial spirit, build on their ideas, and actively embrace entrepreneurship to transform their research into viable commercial ventures.

Acknowledging the support of the Makerere University Management and the organising team, Assoc. Prof. Akileng extended his appreciation to corporate partners-including Vision Group, SUMZ, and Pepsi-for their vital contributions toward the successful delivery of both events.

Bridging Academia and Industry

The Students’ Expo directly built upon the momentum of the 4^th Uganda – Makerere Entrepreneurship Congress, held a day prior on 29^th October 2026. During the congress, students engaged in high-level dialogues with seasoned entrepreneurs, industry experts, and government representatives. The discussions strongly encouraged students to bridge the gap between academic innovation and industry, creating sustainable businesses capable of driving Uganda’s economic transformation and Tenfold Growth Agenda.

Transform Prototypes into Viable Business Ventures

Re-echoing highlights from the discussions at the 4^th Uganda – Makerere Entrepreneurship Congress held on 29^th October 2026, Dr Jude Mugarura, the Head of the Department of Marketing and Management at CoBAMS, noted that the exhibition provided students with an opportunity to showcase their innovations, and to receive guidance on developing prototypes into viable commercial products and business ventures.

“Take the Expo seriously and remain open to knowledge-sharing and feedback from investors, evaluators, policymakers and other stakeholders,” he said.

Highlights from some of the Student Innovations

• Briquettes production from natural agricultural waste

The Marketing Director of Premium Flames by Legitimate Cookers, Ms. Grace Kyamagero Nakigozi, said the group’s briquette innovation seeks to address charcoal shortages while reducing deforestation.

She explained that the group produces briquettes by mixing clay with processed agricultural waste, including coffee husks, maize cobs and matooke peelings. The mixture is moulded into different shapes and dried under shelter for approximately one week.

Ms. Nakigozi noted that the briquettes provide sustained heat and can be used in restaurants, households and poultry brooding, offering an alternative cooking fuel while promoting environmental conservation through the reuse of agricultural waste.

• The Eco Grow Organic Fertilizer

Presenting the Eco Grow Organic Fertilizer, Mr. Faizal Ssegawa Mugerwa, team leader said the initiative transforms biodegradable waste, particularly vegetable waste, into organic fertiliser to promote sustainable agriculture and create business opportunities.

He explained that the team processes organic waste into compost, supplemented with other organic ingredients to provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, comparable to conventional NPK fertilisers.

Mr. Mugerwa noted that the innovation reduces waste sent to landfills, helps prevent environmental pollution and creates economic value from discarded organic materials.

• The Campus Survival Kit

Ms. Hope Nakiberu, a first-year Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) student at CoBAMS and a member of Campus Survival Kit, said the initiative provides students with convenient access to essential supplies through hostel, grocery and study kits.

She explained that the idea addresses challenges faced by students, particularly those arriving from rural areas, in navigating Kampala and finding places to purchase basic necessities. The team therefore offers delivery of essential items directly to students, making campus life more convenient.

The expo also featured student innovators and entrepreneurs pursuing the Bachelor of Arts with Education at the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), who showcased a range of innovations, including Basic Organizers, footwear sandals and Elegant Item Solution, among others.

Moderated by Ms Yvone Nakungu and Ms Connic Nansubuga, students at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the 10^th Makerere University Students’ Expo concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, marking a decade of promoting entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation among Makerere University students.

Makerere University has convened its 4th Entrepreneurship Congress, positioning youth innovation at the absolute center of Uganda’s ambitious Tenfold Growth Strategy.

The long-term economic framework aims to skyrocket the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from roughly US$50 billion to US$500 billion by 2040. According to the National Planning Authority (NPA), the strategy relies heavily on four primary growth pillars known as ATMS: Agro-Industrialization; Tourism; Mineral-Based Industrialization (including Oil and Gas); and Science, Technology, ICT, and Innovation.

With over 70% of Uganda’s population under the age of 30, the youth are widely seen as the engine behind this economic transformation.

To harness this potential, the 29^th October, event brought together students, entrepreneurs, industry experts, and government officials at the Makerere Uiversity Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. Running under the theme “Youth Innovations to Scale Uganda’s Growth Tenfold,” the congress focused on building strategic partnerships, boosting commercialization, and equipping young innovators to build sustainable businesses.

The event was organized by the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, alongside the Department of Marketing and Management under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).

Hon. Kasigwa Gerald (MP for Kigorobya County) attended as the Chief Guest. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, Superintendent of Industrial Value Chains Development at the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President.

Leadership Applauds Partnership

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the CoBAMS Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale, the College Deputy Principal, Associate Professor James Wokadala, commended the School of Business and the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre (MakEOC) for strengthening university partnerships.

Noting that the MakEOC was concurrently hosting the 10th Students’ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expo, he praised the Centre for sustaining the initiative over the past decade.

Assoc. Prof. Wokadala stressed the need for deeper collaboration to drive youth innovation and national economic transformation. He urged students to focus on developing practical, commercial solutions.

Call to Private Sector

Underscoring the value of collaboration, he acknowledged the Vision Group, Pepsi-Crown Beverages Uganda Limited, and Sumzi-Psalms Food Industries Limited for supporting the 4th Uganda-Makerere Entrepreneurship Congress.

For long-term sustainability, he called upon the business community, private sector, and industry leaders to work closely with the MakEOC.

He emphasized that private sector partners are vital for providing the mentorship, incubation facilities, and market access needed to help young entrepreneurs grow businesses, create jobs, and promote self-reliance.

Turn Innovations into Businesses

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, Superintendent of Industrial Value Chains Development at the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat, urged students to use entrepreneurship to generate jobs and fuel national development.

Drawing on Uganda’s electric vehicle innovation journey, Dr. Mwikirize emphasized the importance of perseverance. He urged young innovators to challenge conventional thinking and ignore skeptics who doubt their ideas.

Achieving Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy requires sustained economic growth driven by science, technology, innovation, and industrialization, he noted. To guide them, he challenged student entrepreneurs to adopt six core principles hidden within the acronym TENFOLD:

• Trouble: Identify real-world problems and develop practical solutions.
• Evidence: Prove that your innovations work to convince customers.
• Numbers: Understand your business figures beyond the daily hustle.
• Others: Build strong networks, teams, and strategic partnerships.
• Long Game: Recognize that genuine business success takes time.
• Discipline: Deliver on your promises with honesty and unwavering integrity.

Embrace Flexibility and Patriotism

Hon. Kasigwa Gerald, Member of Parliament for Kigorobya County, encouraged the students to remain flexible and look for opportunities outside their primary fields of study.

“Flexibility and a willingness to learn are essential for navigating a rapidly changing job market,” Hon. Kasigwa noted.

Underscoring the values of honesty, patriotism, and commitment, the legislator appealed to the youth to cultivate strong ethical foundations as they build their enterprises. He implored them to prepare for their roles in Uganda’s future through deliberate planning, continuous self-improvement, and hard work.

Champion the Commercialization of Innovations

The Dean of the School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, highlighted the vital role of entrepreneurship education in equipping students with real-world business skills. He encouraged them to cross-pollinate ideas, learn from industry experts, and build networks to successfully commercialize their research.

Prioritise Students’ Innovation

Commending the University Management and partners for their continued support, Assoc. Prof. Akileng invited participants to the upcoming Students’ Entrepreneurship Expo at Freedom Square, urging the youth to transform raw ideas into sustainable enterprises.

Dr Jude Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, reiterated the urgency of this educational shift.

“Entrepreneurship offers an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, promote wealth creation, and advance Uganda’s economic transformation and self-reliance,” Dr Mugarura said.

He called on government agencies and private-sector partners to step up with funding, regulatory guidance, incubation facilities, and market access. He noted that the upcoming Expo at Freedom Square would showcase breakthroughs in agriculture, technology, healthcare, and sustainable business models.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation

Dr. Sarah Bimbona, Director of the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre (MakEOC), noted that the congress serves as a bridge connecting students directly with established industry titans and government regulators.

She emphasized that Makerere must nurture an internal culture where students graduate with viable businesses rather than just job applications.

“Every student from Makerere University should leave the university with an idea, a company, or an innovation that is going to help them transform their lives,” Dr. Bimbona stated.

She called for the creation of dedicated, well-equipped campus innovation spaces to help students transition their conceptual models into sustainable, job-creating enterprises.

Turning Ideas into Viable Businesses

A major highlight of the congress was a high-level panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Sarah Bimbona, which focused on transforming raw concepts into market-ready ventures capable of attracting customers, investments, and strategic partners.

The panel brought together key experts from finance, media, tech, and regulation, including:

• Mr. Hannington Musimenta, Manager of Programme Development at Uganda Development Bank (UDB)
• Ms. Lorraine Tukahirwa, Head of Marketing and Communications at Vision Group
• Mr. Boris Mugisha, Co-founder and Head of Operations at Tubayo
• Mr. Ronald Tumuhairwe, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA)

The panelists collectively underscored that generating a brilliant idea is only the first step. To survive, entrepreneurs must pivot toward building business models grounded in real market demand, strict financial discipline, and deep customer trust.

Rather than waiting for massive capital, the experts encouraged aspiring youth entrepreneurs to start with manageable operations, maintain impeccable financial records, and seek institutional mentorship to scale sustainably based on proven performance.

Youth-Driven Innovation

Sharing her personal entrepreneurship journey, Ms. Devin Ester Ambayo, a student leader and entrepreneur at Makerere University, encouraged her peers to look closely at local problems and transform them into sustainable business opportunities.

She applauded CoBAMS for organizing the congress, noting that the event provides a vital platform for students to build confidence, master pitching skills, and network directly with seasoned industry figures.

The 4th Entrepreneurship Congress was moderated by Dr. Kasimu Ssendawula, a faculty member at CoBAMS, who was assisted by student co-moderators Ms. Yvonne Nakungu and Ms. Connie Nansubuga.

Precursor to the 10^th Annual Students’ Expo

The successful conclusion of the 4^th Uganda-Makerere Entrepreneurship Congress lays fertile ground for the 10^th Annual Makerere University Students’ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expo, scheduled for 30^th October 2026 at the Freedom Square.

Running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the landmark expo provides a massive platform for over 900 students to showcase their entrepreneurial and innovation potential.

The student exhibitors and young entrepreneurs are drawn from the following academic programmes across the university, including:

• Bachelor of Commerce (Year 1)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Year 2)
• Bachelor of Arts with Education (Entrepreneurship)

The two-week training programme aims to equip government officers with practical skills to assess project viability, manage investment risks and ensure public resources deliver value for money.

The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) is strengthening the capacity of government officers to undertake financial appraisal and risk analysis of public investment projects through a two-week training programme designed to improve the quality of project preparation, appraisal and decision-making in Uganda.

The training, which started in Fort Portal on October 19, 2026, brought together participants from various government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), alongside facilitators from Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Cambridge Resources International (CRI), the National Planning Authority and the Uganda Development Bank.

Officially opening the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ms Esther Ayebare, Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Project Analysis and Public Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, emphasised the importance of rigorous project appraisal in strengthening Uganda’s public investment management system.

She noted that projects admitted into the public investment plan must be aligned with national priorities, technically sound, financially viable and capable of delivering value for money.

“Government must be able to compare investment alternatives and ensure that only viable projects proceed through the public investment process,” she emphasised.

Ms Ayebare explained that sound appraisal enables government to make informed investment decisions, maximise returns on public expenditure and ensure that limited public resources are directed towards projects with the greatest potential to deliver development outcomes.

Building practical skills for better investment decisions

The training builds on the Public Investment Management course conducted in June, which introduced participants to Uganda’s public investment management framework, including project conceptualisation, stakeholder analysis, project costing, implementation action plans, the Integrated Bank of Projects, and monitoring and evaluation of public investment reforms.

The current programme advances this foundation by equipping participants with technical competencies in financial appraisal, financial modelling and risk analysis.

Participants will explore integrated investment appraisal, alternative investment criteria, cash-flow statements, inflation and exchange-rate movements, asset valuation, project financing, project scale and timing, risk-sharing arrangements and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Through practical exercises and case studies, participants will apply these concepts to investment scenarios in sectors such as roads, health, education and water. The programme will also examine how climate change, social considerations and other risks can be integrated into project preparation and appraisal.

Ms Ayebare encouraged participants to engage actively with the facilitators, question the practical application of the tools and consider how the skills acquired could improve investment decisions within their respective institutions.

She also reminded participants that the programme includes an examination and that certification requires more than attendance. Participants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and acquire practical skills that they can apply in their work.

Reducing dependence on externally prepared studies

A key objective of the training is to strengthen the ability of government institutions to undertake high-quality project appraisal studies using their own technical teams.

Ms Ayebare observed that many studies submitted to the Development Committee have traditionally been prepared by external consultants, often at considerable cost. Building the capacity of public officers to conduct these studies independently can help institutions strengthen their technical expertise and improve the quality of project proposals presented for consideration.

She urged participants to take full advantage of the facilitators’ expertise and return to their institutions equipped to undertake sound financial appraisals and provide evidence-based advice to decision-makers.

She further emphasised that project approval requires thorough preparation, analysis and justification, rather than simply identifying available funding and proposing a project to utilise it.

Strengthening public investment management through capacity development

In his remarks, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM CoE, thanked the Ministry of Finance for its financial support and for identifying participants from government institutions. He also recognised the contributions of the facilitators and partner institutions in delivering the programme.

Prof. Bbaale noted that the Centre’s work extends beyond training to include research and advisory services aimed at improving public investment management practices. He encouraged continued collaboration with government institutions and other partners to advance research, knowledge sharing and capacity development.

Speaking during the training, Dr John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the importance of commitment, active participation and punctuality throughout the programme. He encouraged participants to engage with the facilitators, ask questions and apply the knowledge gained to the projects they support.

Dr Sseruyange also acknowledged the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for financing the training, and appreciated Cambridge Resources International for its continued support towards improving public investment preparation and analysis in Uganda.

The training reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system by equipping public officers with the knowledge and practical competencies needed to assess projects rigorously, identify potential risks and make informed investment decisions.

By developing in-house expertise across government institutions, the programme seeks to contribute to better-prepared projects, more efficient use of public resources and improved delivery of Uganda’s development priorities.