MTN Uganda and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda have announced the winners of the 2026 PachiPanda Innovation Challenge. The challenge, which is in its second edition, seeks to empower young entrepreneurs and youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transform environmental challenges into practical, scalable and commercially viable solutions. The competition, held under the theme “Nature Meets Innovation: Unlocking Africa’s Green Economy,” attracted more than 300 applications from Ugandan innovators.
Fifteen innovators and youth-led enterprises were selected for the national finals after an initial assessment and participated in a bootcamp held from 21 to 23 October 2026. During the bootcamp, participants received business training and mentorship to strengthen their business models, refine their innovations and improve their pitches ahead of the final competition. The bootcamp was a crucial step in preparing the innovators for the competition, and it equipped them with the necessary skills to take their innovations to the next level.
Agrosap, led by Garvin Billy Ssemyalo, emerged as the overall winner of the competition and will receive UGX 15 million. The innovation focuses on improving water retention in soil, helping maintain the moisture needed to support crop growth throughout the planting period. The solution has the potential to significantly impact agricultural productivity in Uganda, where water scarcity is a major challenge.
Lutre Plastics, led by Arther Lule and Sharma Kemigisha, finished as the first runner-up, earning UGX 10 million. The enterprise produces boards from recycled plastics, offering an alternative use for plastic waste. Reyre Blocks Ltd, led by Rhona Janet Atugonza, placed third and will receive UGX 5 million. Its innovation transforms discarded tyres into sustainable construction materials, helping address the environmental challenges associated with tyre burning and the heavy reliance on sand.
The three winners will represent Uganda at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge continental finale in South Africa in February 2027. MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Mulinge said the initiative demonstrates how innovation and entrepreneurship can help address environmental challenges while creating opportunities for young people. She emphasized that environmental challenges can also be opportunities to build businesses, create jobs and improve livelihoods.
WWF Uganda Executive Director Ivan Tumuhimbise said the focus would now shift towards helping the winning innovations grow beyond the competition and generate tangible benefits for communities and the environment. He added that through PachiPanda, innovators are approaching environmental challenges with creativity and an understanding of the opportunities that exist in the green economy. The next step is to help these solutions grow beyond the competition and deliver measurable benefits for communities and nature.
The 2026 competition is part of MTN Uganda’s sustainability ambitions under Ambition 2030, and it is being implemented in partnership with WWF Uganda. The initiative aims to support innovative solutions that protect natural resources, strengthen communities and create sustainable economic opportunities. By providing young innovators with mentorship, business development support and a platform to showcase their solutions, the initiative seeks to strengthen the role of youth-led enterprises in Africa’s transition towards a greener and more inclusive economy.
Key points
- The winners of the 2026 PachiPanda Innovation Challenge will represent Uganda at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge continental finale in South Africa in February 2027.
