The Impact Week 2026 Ideation Bootcamp, hosted by the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Center in partnership with Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, has concluded with renewed momentum for youth-led innovation and job creation in Uganda.
Held from February 17 to 20, the bootcamp attracted more than 100 student innovators selected from over 200 applications nationwide. The participants represented 20 high-potential startups and underwent intensive, hands-on training in business model refinement, pitch deck development, market validation, financial modelling and pricing, as well as empathy-driven solution design.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Diana Nandagire Ntamu, Director of the MUBS Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Center, emphasised that entrepreneurship remains central to Uganda’s economic transformation.
“When they start their businesses, they not only create a job for themselves but also for others. They stimulate production because their enterprises are linked to other players in the economy,” she said.
Dr. Nandagire noted that the partnership with Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, established in 2022, has strengthened efforts to nurture innovative ideas among students and support their transition from ideation to enterprise creation.
She explained that the bootcamp was part of a longer incubation journey that began in August 2025, when students were invited to submit business concepts.
“Running a business is a journey. What we see here are the early steps of these startups, but we will continue to support them through coaching, mentoring and linkages to ecosystem players. These students are going to graduate with a job,” she said.
Addressing the issue of startup failure, Dr. Nandagire urged young entrepreneurs to prioritise market research and a clear value proposition.
“Most businesses fail because the entrepreneur did not understand the market need. If you start a business simply because someone else has done so, you are unlikely to survive without a unique value proposition,” she cautioned.
She also encouraged participants to embrace artificial intelligence responsibly, noting that when used effectively, AI enhances efficiency and productivity.
Assoc. Prof. Rachael Mindra-Katoroogo, Acting Deputy Principal of MUBS, described the bootcamp as a significant step in shifting from theory-based instruction to competence-based education.
“This Impact Week is critical for us as an institution—bringing young people together to discover their potential in product development, ideation and critical thinking,” she said.
She stressed that entrepreneurship cannot thrive within classroom walls alone.
“We have to move beyond the classroom to make entrepreneurship work. Businesses are what transform society and generate revenue for the country,” she added.
Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, she commended the partnership with the Belgian institution, noting that discussions on technology and artificial intelligence had broadened students’ perspectives.
“We must use artificial intelligence to help us think, develop, model, simulate and approach entrepreneurship differently,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Enock Julius Naika, Chief Executive Officer of Famunera, shared his entrepreneurial journey to inspire the young innovators.
“I went through the same journey, and what they are beginning is possible. They can succeed,” he said.
Naika described the bootcamp as a platform to shape and sharpen startup founders, enabling them to grow their ventures into sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs for other youth.
However, he acknowledged that many young entrepreneurs face significant barriers, particularly limited access to affordable financing.
“Many lack access to affordable financing, and most do not have the collateral required by banks,” he noted.
On artificial intelligence, he emphasised its potential to reduce operational costs for startups.
“With AI, many processes can be automated, reducing expenditure on human resources and helping startups navigate early-stage hurdles,” he said.
At the climax of the bootcamp, three startups were recognised for their innovation and potential impact: African Bead, which blends fashion and cultural heritage through handcrafted beadwork bags; Selfresh Africa, which advances off-grid cold storage solutions to reduce post-harvest losses; and EA Value Venture, which focuses on value addition through matooke processing.
Organisers noted that although three teams received awards, all participating startups have been integrated into continued mentorship, incubation support and ecosystem linkages.
As Dr. Nandagire observed, “The seed has been sown. These students cannot think like those who did not participate.”
With strengthened international collaboration, rising youth ambition and structured incubation support, Impact Week 2026 has further positioned MUBS as a growing hub for entrepreneurship-driven transformation in Uganda.