Transforming agriculture through climate-smart innovation! @viridigrowth Limited is developing Agro Sap, a biodegradable superabsorbent material that improves soil water retention. Applied during planting, it absorbs and stores rainwater within the root zone, helping maintain soil moisture for longer and reducing water loss, especially in sandy soils. The team continues to make remarkable milestones: • Selected among the top 5 pioneers in Cohort IV of the Climate Smart Jobs Program • Crowned National Champions of the Hult Prize Competition and set to represent Uganda at the international stage in London later this year Viridi Growth is demonstrating how innovation can address real climate challenges facing farmers. #MIICStartups #GraduateInnovationProgram

Congratulations to Team Voxsign our #GraduateInnovationProgram Cohort 1 startup for securing USD 1,000 at the Inclusive Technology Innovation Sprint Demo Day! 👏 Voxsign is an adaptive speech recognition web application that translates non-standard speech into Ugandan Sign Language, helping bridge communication gaps through inclusive innovation. The team participated in the Automatic Speech Recognition Programme, an initiative co-funded by Google.org under the #AT2030Programme, led by UCL’s @GDIHub and its Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI), in collaboration with @senses_hub and @miic_ug We are proud to celebrate this milestone and excited to see the team continue building a more accessible and inclusive future through technology. 🚀 #InnovateWithUs #MIICStartups

Today marks an exciting milestone for our #GraduateInnovationProgram – Cohort 1 startups as they transition into the program support phase. In this stage, each startup will be matched with an experienced coach who will walk alongside them to fine-tune their work plans, sharpen their focus, and provide tailored support to meet their evolving needs. This personalized support is designed to ensure they continue building impactful, scalable solutions with clarity and confidence #InnovateWithUs #MIICStartups @MugadyaCol46611 @RobertOkiror5

🎉Congratulations to Ecoflash, one of our startups under the #GraduateInnovationProgram for emerging as winners at the Uganda Climate Smart Innovation Fund Award . Ecoflash Ltd, is a dual-powered cassava drying system that uses solar energy and cassava waste (biomass) as fuel to deliver efficient, weather-independent drying all done indoors. By enabling farmers in off-grid rural areas to dry cassava and flour sustainably, Ecoflash Ltd is tackling post-harvest losses while championing clean energy and circular economy solutions. Visit 👉 ecoflash.ltd #MIICStartups #GraduateInnovationProgram

🎓 Congratulations, Ariyo Ahumuza on graduating with a bachelors degree in Software Engineering! Ariyo is a founder of Baby Steps, an interactive early cultural learning game redefining how Ugandan children discover their heritage through play. With a beautiful blend of storytelling, music and traditional games, Baby Steps is making learning fun, local and meaningful, nurturing a generation that celebrates culture while embracing creativity and technology. We are proud of this remarkable academic milestone. 👏 #MIICStartups #GraduateInnovationProgram #Mak76thGrad @Makerere @MakCoCIS

🎓 Congratulations, Ssekito Isaac and Ssenkungu Martin Reinol  on graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science! Ssekitto Isaac and Ssenkungu Martin Reinol are the innovators behind Mobivet, a startup from our #GraduateInnovationProgram (Cohort 1). Mobivet is an AI-powered Cattle Disease Detector designed to make livestock health management more accessible and cost-effective. Leveraging deep learning and computer vision, the solution analyzes images of cattle to accurately detect diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, enabling faster diagnosis and informed decision-making for farmers.. We are incredibly proud of his achievement and excited for the impact Mobivet will continue to create in Uganda and beyond. #MIICStartups #Mak76thGrad @Makerere @MakCoCIS

🎓Congratulations @anslembagabo and @jovin_raymon Founder and co-founder of foot and mouth detection from our #GraduateInnovationProgram (Cohort 1), on graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. The team is developing a machine learning–powered solution for the early detection of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle. Through a simple mobile application, farmers can capture and upload images of their cows and receive instant predictions indicating possible infection. By enabling early detection, this innovation has the potential to reduce disease spread, safeguard livestock and protect farmers from significant financial loss. Graduating with a degree and a solution that creates impact is truly commendable. 👏 #MIICStartups #GIPCohort1 #Mak76thGraduation @Makerere @MaKCoCIS

🎓 Congratulations, Elizabeth Namtambi! Co-founder of AgeWithYou from the MIIC #GraduateInnovationProgram (Cohort 1), graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering. AgeWithYou is a cutting-edge wearable system powered by AI that provides 24/7 monitoring for the elderly, giving caregivers reliable real-time information and enabling rapid response in emergencies. We are incredibly proud of this academic milestone and can’t wait to see the impact you continue to make. #MIICStartups #Mak76thGraduation @Makerere @MaKCoCIS

🎓 Congratulations, Ssemaganda George! We celebrate @SsemagandaGeor4, founder of @DirtTrails_Ug from the MIIC #GraduateInnovationProgram (Cohort 1), on graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. @DirtTrails_Ug is redefining travel through affordable, sustainable, and authentic eco-adventure experiences. Through backpacking, camping, cycling expeditions and community-based eco-tourism, Dirt Trails Safaris invites travelers to explore Uganda beyond traditional routes while actively promoting environmental conservation and supporting local livelihoods. Congratulations on this remarkable milestone! #MIICStartups #GIPCohort1 #Mak76thGraduation @MakCoCIS @Makerere

#Throwback to the Graduate Innovation Program Journey! Looking back at the journey of our #GraduateInnovationProgram, we invited students from across @Makerere with bold ideas, strong final-year projects, and the passion to innovate. From these, we selected teams with the highest potential and guided them through an intensive innovation journey. Throughout the program, teams received mentorship, training, and hands-on support and many integrating AI-driven approaches to tackle real challenges in health, agriculture, education, technology, and more. By the end of the program, we had 34 student teams with functional prototypes, showing just how much young innovators can achieve when given the right support. And this is not the end. These teams will continue receiving mentorship, resources, and incubation support as they move toward building fully viable startups. #GraduateInnovationProgram @Makerere @mofpedU @MakCoBAMS @MakCoCIS @MakCEDAT @MakCoNAS @MakerereCHUSS @MakerereCHS @MakCAES @MaKCEES

What should your prototype actually include? Think of your prototype as the first sneak peek of your idea — simple, clear, and purposeful. It should include: 🔹 The core feature that solves the main problem 🔹 A user-friendly flow that’s easy to understand 🔹 A visual or functional demo of how it works 🔹 Space for feedback and iteration Keep it simple. Keep it focused. Build just enough to show the value of your idea. #InnovateWithUs #GraduateInnovationProgram

#ThrowbackThursday to one of our most exciting moments this year — the Graduate Innovation Program #PitchFest2025! We witnessed over 30 brilliant student innovators taking the stage, showcasing solutions with the potential to shape industries, solve real challenges and spark new opportunities. From insightful pitches to well-developed prototypes, these student innovators demonstrated the promise and potential of home-grown solutions. Here’s a glimpse back at the day that celebrated innovation, resilience and the power of young minds. #InnovateWithUs #GraduateInnovationProgram @Makerere @mofpedU @MakCEDAT @MakCoBAMS @MakCoNAS @MakerereCHS @MakerereCHUSS @MakCoCIS @MakCAES @MaKCEES

What makes a great pitch? It’s not just slides, numbers, or big ideas, it’s the story behind the solution. Great pitches connect logic with emotion and data with purpose. Here’s what sets winning pitches apart: ✅ Clarity — The problem and solution are simple and relatable. ✅ Confidence — The team knows their “why” and owns the stage. ✅ Credibility — Real evidence, not assumptions. ✅ Connection — The story speaks to the heart before the mind. ✅ Call to Action — A clear ask that drives belief and support. Our #GraduateInnovationProgram participants took time to refine their pitches, shaping not just their presentations, but also their voice, purpose and confidence. #PitchFest2025

Representing the Vice Chancellor of @Makerere, @ProfNawangwe at the Graduate Innovation #PitchFest2025, @DicksonMushabe, Board Member @miic_ug, emphasized that Makerere University's vision is not merely to be a center of academic excellence but a catalyst for national and global socio-economic transformation. “At the core of this vision lies our unwavering commitment to Research and Innovation. For us, research is not a pursuit to be confined to journals and laboratories. It must translate into tangible solutions.” He further highlighted that this is why the #GraduateInnovationProgram is so vital: it is specifically designed to support our students and faculty in transforming their academic research, final-year projects, and brilliant ideas into commercially viable and scalable ventures. #InnovateWithUs @MakCoCIS @mofpedU

During the Graduate Innovation Program #PitchFest2025, @MuyitaSamuel, Founder of @karpolax, shared inspiring words with the student innovators. He revealed that his startup journey began while he was still at university, a reminder that great ideas can start anywhere. He encouraged the young innovators to take the first step and create with what they have, emphasizing that once you start, you’ll naturally attract what you need to grow. #PitchFest2025 #GraduateInnovationProgram @Makerere @MakCoCIS

It was a pleasure standing on stage for the first time ever to deliver a pitch about #CINEMADISE a platform aimed at revolutionizing Uganda's moviegoing experience through seamless digital booking at the #PitchFest2025 hosted by @miic_ug #GraduateInnovationProgram

What a Day to Remember! The Graduate Innovation Program #PitchFest2025 was truly inspiring, a celebration of creativity, courage and the unstoppable spirit of Student innovators. To all our incredible participants, thank you for showing us what it truly means to dream boldly and innovate with purpose. Your ideas are lighting the path toward a brighter, more innovative Uganda. A heartfelt thank you to our partners; @Makerere and @mofpedU for believing in the power of innovation-led entrepreneurship. Your continued support makes it possible for young minds to turn vision into impact. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our guest speakers, judges and mentors who shared their wisdom, encouragement, and time. Your insights ignited passion and confidence in every young innovator who took the stage. #InnovateWithUs #GraduateInnovationProgram @NakibaalaGK @GodwinRaymondK @ElveNshuti @GabrielTumwine @NkonwaC @barbra_nantongo @gkamuleg @KAJJUBIGEOFREY @RobertOkiror5 @BJnrGilbert @allanLule_

Congratulations to Team Baby Steps — the Overall Winner of the Graduate Innovation Program #PitchFest2025! 🏆 Baby Steps is an interactive early cultural learning game redefining how Ugandan children discover their heritage through play. With a beautiful blend of storytelling, music, and traditional games, the team making learning fun, local, and meaningful — nurturing a generation that celebrates culture while embracing creativity and technology. Team Baby Steps walked away with USD 1,000, a well-deserved reward for their creativity, innovation, and impact in preserving culture through digital learning. #PitchFest2025 #GraduateInnovationProgram

Congratulations to Team Eco Flash — 3rd Runner-Up at the Graduate Innovation Program #PitchFest2025! 🎉 Their innovation Eco Flash Dryer, is a dual-powered cassava drying system that uses solar energy and cassava waste (biomass) as fuel to deliver efficient, weather-independent drying all done indoors. By enabling farmers in off-grid rural areas to dry cassava chips and flour sustainably, the team is tackling post-harvest losses while championing clean energy and circular economy solutions. Team Eco Flash proudly walked away with USD 500 — a well-deserved recognition for their ingenuity and commitment to sustainable impact. #GraduateInnovationProgram @Makerere @MakCoCIS

Congratulations to PearlOxy Uganda Limited — 1st Runner-Up at the Graduate Innovation Program #PitchFest2025! PearlOxy Uganda Limited, is tackling the challenge of unreliable oxygen supply in low-resource healthcare facilities by developing the Medium Pressure Oxygen Storage (MPOS) System. The MPOS system is an innovative, locally built device that stores oxygen at medium pressure when electricity is available and automatically releases it during outages, ensuring hospitals have a steady and reliable supply. As the 1st Runner-Up, the team walked away with USD 1,000 — a well-deserved reward for their outstanding innovation and dedication to improving healthcare access in Uganda #PitchFest2025 #GraduateInnovationProgram @MakCoCIS @Makerere