Category: News

Oscar Brian Ojok, a Civil Engineering student at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), has been awarded the prestigious Uganda Climate Innovation Fund (UCIF) grant at a prestigious ceremony held on Thursday, 26th February 2026 at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Ojok was among just four winners from Cohort 3, recognised from over 300 applicants across the country, securing the grant for his ecoflash dryer – a solar-powered instant cassava dryer designed to tackle post-harvest losses in Northern Uganda and beyond. The system runs primarily on solar energy, with cassava waste serving as supplementary energy. With the grant, UCIF will fund the innovation for the next 12 months, enabling the team to move from prototype to pilot implementation.

The Ceremony

The award ceremony took place on the afternoon of 26th February 2026 at Kampala Serena Hotel, running from 3:00pm to 8:30pm. Guests were first taken through exhibition booths where innovators showcased their work before the formal programme began.

Brian Ndyaguma, the UCIF Lead, opened the proceedings with a presentation on the fund’s journey so far. He highlighted the incredible growth of the innovation portfolio, noting that the quality of applications had strengthened with each cohort. He spoke about the observations and learnings from working with early-stage climate innovators, and the immense opportunities that exist for Ugandan solutions to address climate challenges facing smallholder farmers across the region.

Mathew Rupanga, Team Leader of the Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) programme, followed with a broader presentation on the CSJ initiative. He took time to recognise notable participants and their contributions, giving special mentions to innovators who had shown exceptional dedication throughout the bootcamp and pitching process and earlier awarded cohort 1. He then invited the chief guest and other dignitaries for a gallery walk of selected exhibiting teams, a moment that allowed innovators to showcase their work to some of the most influential figures in Uganda’s climate and development space.

A Memorable moment with the Guest of Honour

One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony came when the Guest of Honour, Mr Chance Kabaghe, former Minister of Agriculture for Zambia and current Chairman of SeedCo East Africa and United Capital Fertiliser, visited Ojok’s exhibition booth.

Accompanied by the Guest of Honor, Her Excellency, Tiffany Kirlew, Deputy Ambassador of the British High  Commission in Kampala, and other dignitaries during the gallery walk, Kabaghe stopped at the ECOFLASH booth to see the prototype firsthand and interact with Ojok. He was deeply impressed by what he saw and heard.

Kabaghe commended Ojok for his innovation spirit, noting that the project was rooted in real problems faced by farmers on the ground. He praised the resilience demonstrated by Ojok and his team in developing a solution that addresses post-harvest losses – a challenge he knows well from his decades of experience in agribusiness across Africa.

“This will be very good for the future,” Kabaghe told Ojok, encouraging him to keep pushing forward with the innovation. “You are solving a real problem, and that is what matters, keep it up”

For Ojok, the moment was both validating and motivating. “Having someone of Mr Kabaghe’s experience and standing take time to understand what we are building and then encourage us like that – it means a lot. It tells us we are on the right track.”

The Innovation: Ecoflash dryer

Ecoflash dryer is a dual-energy flash drying system that runs primarily on solar energy as its main power source, with cassava waste – peels and stems and other biomass; serving as supplementary energy source when additional heat is needed or during periods of low sunlight. The system dries cassava indoors, weather disruptions, in minutes rather than days. It is automated, temperature-controlled, and produces aflatoxin-free flour that can access premium markets.

The problem it solves is acute in Northern Uganda. Over 80 percent of farmers rely on traditional sun-drying, which fails completely during wet seasons. The few mechanical dryers available run on expensive kerosene, pushing costs beyond the reach of smallholder farmers. This could be a game changer for Uganda’s economy, since Uganda is the 22^nd cassava producer in the world and East Africa centre of excellence in cassava chain.

The team behind Ecoflash

“This was made possible by my team,” Ojok said after the ceremony. “We spent time and resources to innovate together, and they showed up whenever I needed them.”

He specifically thanked Emmanuel Haboya, (electrical engineer) and Lynette Bananuka, (Year 3, Makerere electrical engineering student at CEDAT, whose expertise was instrumental throughout the project. He also extended gratitude to Joyce Ruth Agilo, Brenda Kisakye, Sedrick Otolo, for their contributions and showing up whenever needed.

Through this journey, the Ojok has officially registered his company as ECOFLASH LTD, a Ugandan agritech company now poised for growth.

“We are grateful and excited for the future now that UCIF will fund us for the next 12 months,” Ojok said. “I can’t wait to scale this, and I promise the impact will be huge for smallholder farmers and for climate resilience.”

The journey to victory

From over 300 applicants across Uganda, Ojok was shortlisted to join just 25 innovators invited to the intensive UCIF bootcamp. There, ideas were stress-tested, business models refined, and pitches perfected. After the bootcamp came the final pitch round and due deligence and validation. When the results were announced, only four emerged victorious. Ojok and ECOFLASH were among them.

“We don’t take this win lightly,” Ojok said. “To go from 300-plus to 25, and then to be among the final four – it was humbling, we had most technical innovators and professors in the room. But it taught us that with a strong team and relentless effort, you can compete with the best.”

Mathew Rupanga, during his speech, had emphasised exactly this point – that the innovators who made it through were those who not only had strong technical ideas but also demonstrated the resilience and commitment to see their visions through.

Conservation experts, policymakers and investors from across Africa have gathered in Nairobi for the Business of Conservation Conference 2026, a forum aimed at finding ways to make wildlife protection financially sustainable while improving community livelihoods.

The four-day conference, running from March 4 to 7 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, is organised by the African Leadership University School of Wildlife Conservation. It has brought together conservation organisations, government leaders, private sector players and community representatives to discuss how natural ecosystems can generate economic value while safeguarding biodiversity.

Held under the theme “Changing the Economics of Conservation,” the conference focuses on developing systems where conservation not only protects nature but also creates income opportunities for local communities.

Among the organisations participating is Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), a Ugandan non-profit that has spent nearly three decades helping smallholder farmers turn conservation into a sustainable source of income. Since its establishment in 1999, the organisation has been working in key biodiversity areas such as the Albertine Rift and the Mount Elgon landscape to support farmers in restoring forests, protecting wildlife and improving their livelihoods.

Speaking during an Ignite talk at the conference, ECOTRUST Executive Director Pauline Nantongo highlighted how innovative financing models such as biodiversity credits can support conservation while also benefiting local communities.

She noted that conservation initiatives often overlook the people who live closest to natural resources.

“Most of the times when we think about these very high science and tech issues, it’s difficult to see how this can be inclusive at a local community level,” Nantongo said.

She compared the situation to someone renovating another person’s home but taking all the profits.

“Can you imagine if somebody comes into your house, paints it and improves its value, then claims the money because they painted it? That is often how monetizing conservation works,” she said.

Nantongo explained that ECOTRUST is working to change this model by ensuring communities remain owners and active participants in conservation projects.

Through biodiversity credits, a new Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanism, the organisation supports communities to protect forests and natural ecosystems while earning income through sustainable businesses such as beekeeping, tree nurseries and other green enterprises. These activities also help restore forest health and create wildlife corridors.

The approach is helping to reduce human-wildlife conflict in parts of the Albertine Rift where animals such as Chimpanzee move between fragmented forests.

Working with communities, ECOTRUST has been mapping wildlife movement routes and restoring forest corridors to allow animals to move safely while reducing damage to farms.

The organisation’s flagship Trees for Global Benefits (TGB) programme has already helped restore more than 30,000 hectares of land through forestry and agroforestry on private farms, linking farmers to carbon market benefits.

According to Nantongo, the aim is to ensure that conservation funding directly improves local livelihoods. Communities monitor forests, collect ecological data and take part in decision-making, making them active players in conservation markets rather than passive beneficiaries.

As discussions continue in Nairobi, the conference is showcasing similar conservation business models from across Africa, highlighting new partnerships, financing opportunities and community-led solutions.

For ECOTRUST, the message is simple: conservation can only succeed if the communities living closest to nature share in the benefits of protecting it.

Related

Former beauty queen Hannah Karema has officially launched her campaign for the Guild Presidency at Makerere University, marking a bold transition from the world of pageantry to student leadership.

Karema, who rose to national prominence after winning the Miss Uganda crown, is now seeking to channel her influence and public platform into shaping the future of one of Africa’s most prestigious universities.

Her entry into the race has already generated significant interest among students and alumni, many of whom view her candidacy as a fresh blend of visibility, advocacy, and youthful leadership.

Speaking as she unveiled her bid, Karema emphasized that her decision to run was driven by a desire to amplify student voices and address challenges affecting the university community.

“Leadership is about service and representation,” she said, noting that her experiences as Miss Uganda exposed her to diverse communities and strengthened her commitment to advocacy.

Supporters believe her background in public engagement and social causes could bring renewed energy to the Guild Government. During her time in the spotlight, Karema used her platform to champion youth empowerment, education, and social awareness campaigns—issues she says remain central to her agenda at Makerere.

The Guild Presidency at Makerere University is one of the most influential student leadership positions in the region, often serving as a training ground for future national leaders. Over the decades, the institution has produced prominent political figures, diplomats, and public servants who began their leadership journeys within the university’s guild system.

Karema’s campaign is expected to focus on improving student welfare, strengthening dialogue between university management and students, and promoting opportunities that enhance the academic and social experience on campus.

Her supporters describe her as a candidate who understands the power of visibility and communication—skills they believe could help bridge gaps between student leaders and the wider university community.

As campaigns gather momentum across the campus of Makerere University, Karema’s entry into the race adds a unique dynamic to the contest, blending celebrity recognition with a message of service and transformation.

For many observers, her candidacy signals a broader trend where young Ugandans with public influence are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, determined to shape institutions from within.

Whether the former beauty queen will translate her popularity into electoral success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Hannah Karema’s campaign has already brought fresh excitement to the race for Makerere’s top student office.

A group of 43 Ugandan students who were evacuated from Tehran following rising tensions in the Middle East have safely returned to Uganda.

The students were first moved to Istanbul on Saturday before boarding a flight back home. They arrived at Entebbe International Airport on 05 March.

Upon arrival, the students were received by the Minister of State for Youth, Balaam Barugahara, together with other government officials.

Barugahara said the government is committed to protecting Ugandans abroad, especially during times of danger. He explained that many of the students travelled to Iran on scholarship programmes.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Education and Sports will support the students with return tickets so they can resume their studies in Iran once the security situation improves.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ugandan diplomatic missions in the region are ready to deploy officers to receive evacuees and help them travel safely back home through neighbouring countries.

Related

The Board of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has completed a one-week field tour across Eastern Uganda to assess digital inclusion projects funded under the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).

The oversight visit, conducted in February and led by UCC Board Chairperson Charity Basaza Mulenga, aimed to evaluate the functionality, utilisation, sustainability, and overall impact of projects designed to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities.

The delegation included UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo and other commission officials. Together, they inspected several initiatives focusing on expanding ICT infrastructure, improving connectivity, building digital skills, and supporting inclusive access to technology.

Promoting Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities

One of the key stops was the Regional ICT Resource Centre for persons with disabilities in Jinja, implemented in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

During the visit, the Board interacted with beneficiaries and reviewed assistive technologies installed at the centre. These include braille embossers, screen readers, and magnification devices that help persons with visual and other impairments access digital services.

Officials said such technologies are critical in ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind as Uganda advances its digital transformation agenda.

Expanding Community Broadband Access

The Board also inspected a Public Access Centre located at the Jinja Public Library. The facility is part of a national network of more than 120 centres established to provide affordable access to broadband internet in communities.

Public Access Centres enable youth, entrepreneurs, and job seekers to access digital services, learn computer skills, and connect to e-government platforms. The model is increasingly seen as an effective way to bring digital opportunities closer to underserved populations.

Strengthening ICT in Schools

The UCC delegation also visited several schools benefiting from the ICT-in-Education programme supported by UCUSAF.

These included St. Gonzaga Secondary School Kagoma, the solar-powered ICT laboratory at Bubiita Seed Secondary School in Bududa District, and Mbale School for the Deaf.

Officials said the programme focuses on expanding connectivity, equipping institutions with digital learning infrastructure, and ensuring sustainability in remote and special-needs schools.

Building Digital Capacity in Public Service

At Jinja Civil Service College, the Board inspected an ICT laboratory established to strengthen digital skills within the public service.

Discussions at the facility emphasized the importance of institutional ownership and proper utilisation of ICT infrastructure to ensure that such investments deliver long-term benefits.

Broader Oversight Engagements

The week-long tour also included visits to the Jinja Remote Spectrum Monitoring Site, the UCC Mbale Regional Office, and other facilities supported or supervised by the Commission.

According to UCC officials, the field engagements provided the Board with first-hand insights into the effectiveness of UCUSAF-funded projects. The findings are expected to guide future programmes, regulatory interventions, and sustainability frameworks.

The Commission says the initiatives remain central to its broader strategy of promoting inclusive digital transformation and ensuring that communities across Uganda can access the benefits of modern communication technologies.

A group of 43 Ugandan students who were recently evacuated from Iran due to escalating tensions in the Middle East have safely returned home.

The students arrived at Entebbe International Airport on March 5 after being temporarily relocated to Istanbul, Turkey. Their evacuation followed rising security concerns in Tehran, Iran.

Upon arrival, the students were received by the Minister of State for Youth, Balaam Barugahara, alongside other government officials.

Speaking during the reception, Barugahara said the government remains committed to protecting Ugandan citizens abroad, especially during periods of crisis. He explained that many of the evacuated students had travelled to Iran under scholarship programmes.

The minister also revealed that the Ministry of Education and Sports plans to support the students with return air tickets so they can resume their studies once the security situation in Iran stabilises.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda said Ugandan diplomatic missions across the region are on standby to assist any other citizens who may require evacuation.

Officials noted that arrangements remain in place to deploy officers to receive evacuees and guide them safely back to Uganda through neighbouring countries if necessary.

The evacuation was carried out as part of broader efforts by the government to ensure the safety of Ugandan nationals living or studying in regions experiencing instability.

Makerere University has extended the deadline for undergraduate applications under the Diploma/Degree Holders Entry Scheme for the 2026/2027 academic year.

In a notice issued by the Office of the Academic Registrar and signed by Buyinza Mukadasi, the university announced that the deadline for applications under both government and private sponsorship has been moved from February 27, 2026 to Friday, March 13, 2026.

The extension gives prospective applicants additional time to complete their submissions through the university’s online application system.

According to the notice, all applicants must apply online through the university admissions portal. The institution also clarified that candidates who have already submitted their applications should not reapply.

The Diploma/Degree Holders Entry Scheme allows applicants who already possess relevant diplomas or degrees to apply for admission into undergraduate programmes at Makerere University.

University officials advised interested candidates to carefully follow the online application portal user guide provided in the official admission advert when submitting their applications.

Applicants seeking more details about the scheme and programme requirements can access the information through the university’s official website or contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

The extension offers another opportunity for eligible candidates to secure admission at Uganda’s oldest and most prestigious university before the new deadline of March 13, 2026.