The Makerere Innovation and Incubation Center (MIIC) is shaping the next generation of Ugandan innovators through its Graduate Innovation Program (GIP), a structured initiative designed to help university students and faculty turn academic projects into market-ready solutions. The program’s impact was recently showcased at the MIIC Innovation Pitch Fest, where Baby Steps, an interactive cultural learning game for Ugandan children, won first place and a cash prize of $1,000.
The victory marks a milestone for the young team and highlights how MIIC is helping bridge the gap between academic knowledge and commercial opportunity.
“I’m still processing the excitement and gratitude after Friday’s Makerere Innovation and Incubation Center Innovation Pitch Fest, where our project, Baby Steps, emerged in first place, taking home $1,000,” said Ariyo Ahumuza, a software engineer and tech enthusiast. “The past two months under the MIIC Graduate Innovation Program have been an incredible journey of growth and discovery. From ideation and user research to business modeling and pitching, every session pushed us to think bigger and refine our vision.”
Ariyo shared that it was his first time pitching and standing on stage was both nerve-wracking and empowering. “Seeing our idea resonate with the judges and audience was proof that what we’re building truly matters,” he said. He expressed appreciation to his co-founder Andrew Kahuma and team member Victoria Ndamurani, adding that their creativity and commitment were key to their success. “This milestone is a reminder that small beginnings can lead to great things. It’s only up from here.”
The Graduate Innovation Program plays a vital role in transforming academic work into sustainable ventures. It provides participants with hands-on support through business coaching, technical guidance and access to funding opportunities. Its main goal is to equip young innovators with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to successfully bring their products and services to market.
At the heart of the program is a clear mission to train and build the capacity of 100 high-potential participants from Makerere University, including students, graduate and faculty. These participants are organized into 20 multi-functional teams that work to advance the most promising ideas into validated business models. The program also aims to develop at least 10 viable innovations or prototypes that address real-world challenges in key sectors such as food and agriculture, technology and the circular economy.
Beyond skills training, the GIP fosters interdisciplinary collaboration by encouraging teamwork across different faculties and schools. This approach creates a dynamic environment where ideas can grow through shared knowledge and diverse expertise.
Established in 2017, the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Center is a business incubator supported by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Makerere University. Its purpose is to support entrepreneurs and innovators by providing the tools, mentorship and capital needed to launch successful startups. Through various tailored programs, MIIC has helped many early-stage founders take their ideas from concept to commercialization.
The Center’s incubation model focuses on nurturing startups at every stage, from idea and prototype to minimum viable product and fully launched business. It supports innovation across multiple industries including agritech, fintech, edtech, healthcare, e-commerce, environment and climate, tourism, and energy. MIIC places particular emphasis on technology as a driver of practical and scalable solutions to Uganda’s most pressing challenges.
One of MIIC’s strengths lies in its ability to identify high-potential innovators. Through a rigorous evaluation process led by expert review panels, the Center assesses the feasibility of proposed solutions, the strength of the founding teams and the relevance of their target markets. This process ensures that the startups selected for incubation have both the creativity and commitment needed to succeed.
For participants like Ariyo and his team, the experience has been transformative. The combination of structured business development support, mentorship and exposure to real-world pitching has given them the confidence to think beyond graduation and envision long-term impact.
As MIIC continues to expand its programs, its goal remains clear to empower innovators with the skills and support needed to build sustainable businesses that contribute to Uganda’s development. With initiatives like the Graduate Innovation Program, Makerere University is not only nurturing ideas but also shaping a future where young people drive change through creativity, technology and entrepreneurship.
Through stories like Baby Steps, it is evident that Uganda’s innovation ecosystem is maturing fast. With the right mentorship, funding and institutional support, student-led projects can evolve into powerful ventures that address real community needs while inspiring the next wave of African innovators.
