Kyambogo University continues to strengthen its commitment to innovation and sustainable development as students from the School of Management and Entrepreneurship showcased practical solutions to pressing societal and economic challenges during the DAAD SDG Partnerships Student Innovation Pitch Event held on Friday, 30 October 2026, at the NPT Conference Room.
The event, held under the theme of the DAAD SDG Partnerships 2026–2029, provided a platform for students to translate academic knowledge into practical, evidence-based and innovative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A total of 17 student groups presented innovative proposals addressing challenges affecting communities, public institutions, businesses and the environment. Their ideas demonstrated the potential of student-led innovation in addressing issues ranging from environmental sustainability and public procurement to healthcare, agriculture, energy, transportation and infrastructure.
Among the solutions presented were self-charging electric vehicles to address Kampala’s dependence on fuel-powered transport; decentralised vehicle inspection centres linked through a central digital database to improve road safety and reduce vehicle emissions; smart effluent monitoring systems to address industrial waste disposal; solar-powered cold storage facilities to minimise post-harvest losses; and blockchain technology to improve accountability in the distribution of school desks to government-aided primary schools.
Other proposals explored innovative approaches to electronic waste management, rural water distribution, vaccine cold-chain management, agricultural storage, local rice production, public procurement transparency and sustainable construction practices. The presentations reflected the students’ ability to identify practical challenges and develop solutions that connect innovation with the broader goals of sustainable development.
The event was officially opened by Dr. Michael Omeke who represented the Dean of the School of Management and Entrepreneurship. In his remarks, he emphasised the importance of developing innovative ideas capable of creating meaningful change in society and contributing to national development. He encouraged students to go beyond conventional approaches and develop solutions that respond to real community needs.
The presentations were evaluated by a panel of industry and professional practitioners, comprising Derrick Njuba, Transport Coordinator at EACOP/AGL; Winnie Anyango, Corporate Affairs and Local Content Manager for Uganda and Africa Global Logistics and Dr Ronald Anguazu, Procurement Officer at Kyambogo University. Their participation provided students with an opportunity to receive professional feedback and engage with perspectives from industry and institutional practice.
Following the presentations and evaluation, the top three groups were recognised for their outstanding proposals:
- First Place – Group 3: Henry Sserwadda whose proposal focused on decentralising vehicle inspection centres across Kampala while maintaining a single integrated digital database, scored 70 points.
- Second Place – Group 9: Shadia Rahmah Engole who proposed a formal End-of-Life Vehicle Buyback Scheme to improve the disposal of vehicles in Kampala, scored 67 points.
- Third Place – Group 4: Namakula Ednar, whose proposal, MMS Smart Drones and Escrow Account, addressed supplier performance challenges in public medical procurement, scored 64 points.
The event was moderated by Senkungu Clive, while the project’s Principal Investigator, Ms Gracious Jean Ampumuza, provided leadership within the wider project framework.
The pitch event forms part of the DAAD SDG Partnership project titled Interdisciplinary Teaching Module for International Collaboration and Student Problem-Solving Skills in the Context of the SDGs and Innovation. The partnership brings together Mainz University of Applied Sciences in Germany and partner universities in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda, including Kyambogo University.
Running from February 2026 to December 2029, the project seeks to strengthen teaching and learning through an interdisciplinary module on Innovation Management and Sustainable Development. It focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to develop creative, evidence-based and ethically sound solutions to sustainable development challenges. Beyond student innovation, the partnership promotes international student collaboration, staff capacity development and stronger connections between universities and professional practice.
For Kyambogo University, the initiative represents an important opportunity to strengthen its contribution to sustainable development by connecting academic learning with practical solutions that respond to the needs of society. The event demonstrated that universities can play a significant role in shaping solutions to national and global challenges by empowering students to think critically, innovate responsibly and translate ideas into meaningful action.
Through initiatives such as the DAAD SDG Partnership, Kyambogo University continues to advance a culture of innovation, collaboration and impact, positioning its students to contribute to Uganda’s development and the wider global sustainable development agenda.