Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is celebrating a significant milestone in innovation and digital inclusion. Katongole Adam, a third-year student from the Department of Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (FAST), has emerged as the top winner at the Inclusive Speech Technology Innovation Sprint.
The innovation hackathon, which spanned six months, focused on advancing inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI) for speech accessibility in African languages. Adam, an AI engineer and student innovator, led his team to victory with Audiva a groundbreaking solution designed to make voice-based services more accessible to individuals with non-standard speech.
Out of 16 competing projects, Adam’s team secured the top spot and was awarded USD 1,500 in seed funding to support the further development of their innovation.
Bridging the Gap in Speech Accessibility
The hackathon was hosted by the Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) and delivered by Senses Hub in partnership with the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC) and University College London’s (UCL) Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub).
The initiative brought together innovators, engineers, researchers, and persons with disabilities to co-design solutions powered by Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). The primary goal was to explore how AI can improve communication access for people with speech impairments across Africa.
In Uganda, essential services like mobile money support, banking, telecom assistance, and hospital appointments rely heavily on voice calls. However, individuals with non-standard speech including those affected by stroke, dysarthria, cerebral palsy, stuttering, or other injuries often face challenges being understood, frequently resulting in being rushed or disconnected. Audiva directly addresses this critical gap, ensuring that these individuals can navigate digital and public services with dignity and ease.
A Message from the Vice Chancellor
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, expressed her immense pride in Adam’s achievement, noting that such innovations align perfectly with the university’s mission of community impact and technological advancement.
“On behalf of the MUST community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Katongole Adam and his team for this remarkable victory. Winning the Inclusive Speech Technology Innovation Sprint is not just a personal achievement but a win for the entire university.
By developing ‘Audiva,’ Adam has demonstrated that our students are not only technically proficient but also deeply empathetic to the challenges within our society. This innovation provides a voice to those who have been marginalized by traditional technology. We are committed to supporting such home-grown solutions that promote disability inclusion and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age. Keep soaring and representing the MUST brand with excellence.”
This victory underscores MUST’s position as a leader in science and technology, fostering a culture where students are encouraged to innovate for the betterment of society.
