On 24th April 2026, the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) transformed into a vibrant hub of innovation. The occasion was EntreFest, a high-energy exhibition themed: “Showcasing Entrepreneurial Outcomes Emerging from University Teaching and Mentorship.”
Supported by the UCoBs Project, the event served as a powerful testament to competence-based education, proving that MUST students are no longer just studying business—they are building it.
Design Thinking: The Spark of Innovation
The journey to EntreFest began in the lecture halls during the Principles of Marketing course. Under the leadership of Dr. Sarah Nabachwa, students were challenged to look beyond textbooks and into their communities.
Using Design Thinking as their compass, students identified real-world demands and “pin-pointed” unique business gaps. This rigorous process moved through three critical stages:
- Ideation: Brainstorming solutions for local problems.
- Prototyping: Bringing ideas to life with tangible samples.
- Market Strategy: Developing a “Go-To-Market” plan, including brand guides and social media/print content to ensure visibility in a digital age.
L-R: Dr. John Kule Dean FoBMs, Dr. Benjamin Musiita HoD Economics, Mr. Andrew Naabasa from Equity Bank.
Leadership Voices: Shifting the Mindset: The event opened with powerful remarks from university leadership and mentors. Dr. Benjamin Musiita, Head of Economics and Director of the MUST-PEDC project, set the tone by challenging students to think beyond traditional career paths. “No one earns a salary only and becomes rich,” he noted, emphasizing that EntreFest is about shaping problem-solvers, not just job seekers.
Dr. John Kule Baguma, Dean of the Faculty, reaffirmed MUST’s commitment to this transformative shift. He highlighted that the faculty is moving from traditional research dissertations toward entrepreneurship practicums, where students are expected to have established real businesses by their third year.
L-R: Mr. Martin Mukama rep from CITT, Dr. Manasseh Tumuhimnise Team leader of UCoBs SUB Project 5 Dr. Sarah Nabachwa
The Pitch: 3 Minutes to Change the World. Guided by Dr. Nabachwa, over 30 teams from the Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Accounting & Finance programs faced a true test of clarity and confidence. Each team had just three minutes to pitch their concepts to a panel of judges, who evaluated them based on innovation, academic rigor, and market viability.
Industry leaders also weighed in. Mr. Andrew Naabasa, Business Development Manager at Equity Bank, encouraged the innovators by reminding them that “even the world’s greatest billionaires started small.” He reaffirmed Equity Bank’s readiness to support these visions as they transition from prototypes to reality.
Groups pitch their ideas to a panel of judges
Celebrating the Winners: Innovation in Action
While every participant received a certificate and valuable experience, five teams stood out for their exceptional solutions:
- Winner: Team Think Tank – Transformed wood ash into a natural, eco-friendly odor neutralizer available in liquid and powder forms.
- 2nd Place: Team Gumite – Developed a fintech solution to tackle financial illiteracy, helping the 80% of Ugandans who struggle to interpret financial documents.
- 3rd Place: Team StarLux – An eco-friendly venture transforming synthetic hair waste into sustainable interior décor and floor mats.
- 4th Place: The Hustle Lab – Focused on domestic tourism resilience, creating strategies to strengthen Uganda’s tourism sector against global shocks.
- 5th Place: Market Minds – Their “Trash to Treasure Hub” proved that sustainability and creativity can turn waste into impact.
Dr. Manasseh Tumuhimbise, Team Leader of UCoBS Sub-Project 5, commended the mentors and revealed plans for an e-gallery to showcase these innovations to global stakeholders. He noted that EntreFest will soon be rolled out across all faculties.
Beyond the excitement, the event marked the official initiation of Entrepreneurship as a “super-specialization” within the Faculty. By moving from “telling” to “showing” impact, MUST is actively shifting the graduate mindset from seeking jobs to creating them.
The Bottom Line The success of EntreFest 2026 proves that effective marketing and education are cyclical: they start by identifying a community problem and end with a market-ready solution. As the curtains fell, one thing was certain: the next generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs has arrived, and they are ready to own the market.
At MUST, we do not just teach business; we ignite it.
