The 25th of May 2021 launched the journey that will redefine Uganda’s digital space into the foreseeable future. This is a journey that has tickled and awakened innovation spirits in the creative minds of young Ugandans intent on contributing to enriching the global tech space. The Africa Internet of Things (IoT) & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge 2021 in Uganda has breathed a fresh lease of life and inspired young innovative minds with a brilliant tech future.
Launched in Uganda on the 25th of May 2021, the Africa IoT & AI Challenge is a regional challenge organized by the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (IEEE TEMS). The Challenge’s Official Partners in Uganda for Africa IoT & AI Challenge is UTAMU Research and Innovation City (UTAMURIC) and the Challenge Coordinator in Uganda for Africa IoT & AI Challenge being Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU). Makerere University, Soroti University, Ndejje University, Kampala International University (KIU), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), The Innovation Village, Hive Colab, Ministry of Information Communications Technology and National Guidance, Ministry of Education and Sports and the Uganda Institutes of Communications Technology (UICT) are the other Ugandan partners. Uganda has selected an impressive range of great thinkers and innovators to participate in Africa IoT & AI Challenge 2021 to take place in Dubai on the 14th to 15th December 2021 to unleash the great and innovative minds that we are.
The Challenge in Uganda registered over ninety nine applicants; forty six in the GRADUATE category and fifty three in the STARTUP category with innovative ideas in the IoT & AI. The selection process underwent three stages and the best three candidates in each category were selected by a committee of seven highly educated and experienced judges, led by an eminent Professor, Engineer Bainomugisha. These successful projects, listed by category are:
GRADUATE PROJECTS
- 1st Position: Joseph Mbusa and Viola Komugisha of Makerere University with their project title “NTAASA EMERGENCY SYSTEM”.
- 2nd Position: Derrick Zziwa of Kabale University with the project title “AUTONOMOUS OBSTACLE DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE ROBOT”.
- 3rd Position: Ochudang Thomas Amake of Busitema University with their project title “A REMOTE-CONTROLLED MORTUARY MODEL”.
STARTUP PROJECTS
- 1st Position: Jakob of BODAWERK International Limited with the project title “SMART AND AFFORDABLE LITHIUM BATTERY”.
- 2nd Position: Ronald Katamba of PLANTSCOPE TECH with the project title “EARLY PEST DETECTION”.
- 3rd Position: Kenneth Patrick Asiimwe of MAENDELEO TECH with the project title “COVID-19 SOPs ADHERENCE SYSTEM”.
The winners were declared at a ceremony held on Thursday 18th November 2021 at 3pm, presided over by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information Communications Technology Dr. Aminah Zawedde. Other eminent speakers at the occasion included the Chairperson of the Africa IoT & AI Challenge Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, The Deputy Principal of UICT Dr. Irene Nakiyimba and speakers from the regional sponsors, Managing Director of WAKANDI Ventures Mr. Amr. Karim, Chairperson of the IEEE Africa Council Mr. Mohammed Aboud and Mr. Mohammed Sameh from BENYA, the Official Sponsors.
The winners will travel to Dubai on the 13th of December 2021 to team up with winners from Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia for the regional challenge at which regional winners from each category will be selected, setting the stage for further opportunities and global acclaim.
As Steven Johnson rightly put it “ IF YOU LOOK AT HISTORY, INNOVATION DOESN’T COME JUST FROM GIVING PEOPLE INCENTIVES; IT COMES FROM CREATING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THEIR IDEAS CAN CONNECT.”
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
