Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), through its Institutional University Cooperation (IUC-UCoBS) Program, has once again demonstrated its commitment to practical learning, innovation, and community transformation. This follows the successful completion of a 5-day Tech-Preneurship Bootcamp co-organized by UCoBS Sub-Project 5 (Youth Employability) and Sub-Project 6 (ICT Capacity for Information Access and Utilization), in strategic collaboration with Kreative Campus, a regional innovation hub.
Held at the The Innovation Village, from June 9th to 13th, 2025, the bootcamp brought together over 60 students from computing, business, and interdisciplinary backgrounds to explore the intersection of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The goal was clear: to close the gap between academic innovation and market-ready tech solutions.
The bootcamp addressed a growing challenge: despite computing students developing impressive tech prototypes as part of their academic journey, few-if any-go on to commercialize their solutions. This missed opportunity for both self-employment and community impact was the catalyst behind the bootcamp’s design.
Throughout the week, student teams engaged in a rigorous and hands-on program that took them through design thinking, ideation, validation, business model development, and prototyping. Field visits enriched their empathy and problem-definition stages, while industry guest speakers and expert facilitators guided them toward innovative and scalable tech-based business ideas.
On the final day, June 13th, nine student-led teams pitched their solutions before a panel of judges. Ideas ranged from AI-powered health platforms to agricultural tech and community-based financial tools. Five top-performing teams were selected to proceed to a mentorship and incubation phase, supported by Kreative Campus under the Tech Advance Program.
In his address, Mr. Sankara Byaruhanga, Co-founder of Kreative Campus and a Mandela Washington Fellow, emphasized the importance of connecting academic research to the marketplace. “We are proud to work alongside MUST and the UCoBS projects to ensure that innovation does not end in the classroom. We are investing in the next generation of founders,” he noted.
Dr. Manasseh Tumuhimbise, Coordinator of UCoBS Sub-Project 5, hailed the initiative as a strong step toward solving youth unemployment. “By nurturing entrepreneurial thinking within our academic programs, we empower students to become job creators,” he said.
Representing UCoBS Sub-Project 6, Dr. Fred Kaggwa reiterated the importance of digital skills in bridging information access gaps and applauded the students’ drive to design impactful solutions.
Mr. Robert Kanusu, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Mbarara City, the Chief Guest, in his closing remarks, commended MUST for fostering innovation among the youth and encouraged continued partnerships between academia and the private sector.
The Tech-Preneurship Bootcamp marks a milestone in interdisciplinary and community-based collaboration and sets a strong precedent for future joint initiatives aimed at solving real-world problems through technology.
