The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat under the Office of the President officially launched the Future Makers Hackathon 2026, a flagship initiative under National Science Week aimed at turning innovative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions that can drive Uganda towards a $500 billion economy.
The week-long programme kicked on Monday 27th April 2026 at Kabira Country Resort Hotel in Bukoto.
It brings together a select group of innovators for an intensive process that blends mentorship and hands-on product development.
Participants will refine their ideas into working prototypes, with final solutions set to be showcased during the National Science Week 2026 at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Catherine Muwumuza, Superintendent of Support Services at STI, said the hackathon represents a deliberate shift from concept-based innovation to building scalable products that address real national challenges.
“This initiative is about moving beyond wish lists to solutions that can go to market,” Muwumuza explained, adding that STI is prioritizing innovations that can be supported and financed to achieve real impact.
The hackathon is guided by the theme “STI Works — The Silver Bullet to the USD 500B Economy,” and targets key sectors such as transport and mobility, energy access, the gig economy and creative industry, sanitation, and inclusion tools.
The call for applications attracted hundreds of innovators, but only a small number of teams were selected to participate in the challenge. These teams will compete for funding support, with the top three set to receive up to Shs300 million each to scale their solutions.
Muwumuza emphasized that the funding model has been restructured to ensure accountability and sustainability, moving away from what was previously seen as “grant-preneurship.”
“In the past, some would develop ideas just to access funding without long-term impact. Now, the focus is on returnable grants, where innovators are expected to pay back once their projects become profitable,” she said.
Under this approach, STI will continue to provide support beyond funding, including mentorship, legal guidance, and access to markets to ensure innovators successfully transition from idea to sustainable businesses.
Participants say the hackathon offers valuable opportunities for learning, exposure, and collaboration.
His team is developing a system that enables electric vehicle users to seamlessly pay for charging services, tapping into the growing potential of clean mobility technologies.
“If we build around emerging technologies like electric mobility, we can tackle key issues such as energy efficiency and transport costs,” Ojede noted.
Five National Challenges Driving the Hackathon
The Future Makers Hackathon focuses on five major national problem areas, each directly tied to Uganda’s economic transformation agenda:
1. Transport & Mobility Innovation
Improving the movement of people and goods, enhancing road safety, and addressing infrastructure inefficiencies.
2. Gig Economy & Creative Industry
Creating scalable income opportunities by connecting youth, creatives, and freelancers to digital and local markets.
3. Energy Access & Efficiency
Developing reliable, affordable energy solutions for households, small businesses, and micro-mobility.
4. Inclusion & Accessibility Tools
Building tools that improve access to information, services, and opportunities for underserved populations.
5. Sanitation & Urban Drainage
Addressing poor sanitation and drainage systems to reduce flooding and prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
These challenges reflect real issues affecting millions of Ugandans, and the hackathon is designed to turn ideas into solutions that can be adopted, scaled, and commercialized.
Ten Teams Selected—Three Will Win UGX 300 Million in Support Each
This year, the hackathon received an overwhelming number of applications from across the country. Due to the high volume, the team was unable to communicate individually to every applicant.
Only the teams that successfully passed the qualification criteria were contacted and invited to participate.
From these, ten teams have been selected to compete in the 2026 edition.
At the end of the hackathon:
Three winning teams will be awarded a combined UGX 300 million each in support to help them further develop, refine, and scale their innovations.
This funding is intended to accelerate real‑world implementation, not just reward ideas.
A Clear Judging Framework
Teams will be evaluated based on:
- Problem Understanding
- Innovation & Creativity
- Feasibility & Execution
- Business or Impact Potential
This ensures that the winning solutions are not only exciting but also practical, scalable, and aligned with Uganda’s development priorities.
