How can we bring development cooperation, government and the private sector together to make innovation work at scale?
This question was at the heart of a panel discussion I had the pleasure of moderating during #UgandaInnovationWeek2026, where we explored how these actors can mobilise resources, build partnerships and create shared value through innovation.
At @Enabel_Belgium, we see an opportunity for development cooperation to go beyond financing and implementing projects. It is also about connecting actors, facilitating collaboration and creating opportunities for promising innovations to grow.
Government provides the enabling environment, the private sector brings investment, expertise and market opportunities, while development partners can help bridge gaps, de-risk investments and unlock partnerships. When these strengths come together, the benefits can extend beyond individual organisations to businesses, communities and the wider economy.
These perspectives shaped our conversation with Nicolas Oebel, Country Director of @EnabelinUganda, @shirley_glirdys from the @MoICT_Ug and @richardzulu, Founding Partner of @OutboxHub.
Beyond the discussions, the Enabel pavilion, with @EUinUG funding, showcased innovations across healthcare, education, green enterprise, digital technology and youth employment.
These examples are a reminder that innovation is not confined to technology. It is also transforming how we learn, access healthcare, create jobs, build businesses and respond to community challenges.
As Uganda builds its innovation ecosystem for the next decade, the challenge is not simply generating more ideas, but creating the partnerships, investment and market opportunities that enable them to scale and deliver lasting economic and social impact.
#EnablingChange #UIW2026 #UgandaInnovates
“Development challenges are not just problems to solve; they are opportunities to build partnerships that create shared value.
Take youth employment. While many young people struggle to find jobs, businesses often struggle to find workers with the right skills. Bridging this gap requires collaboration.
Together with @EUinUG and @Ugandahotel, we are creating opportunities for young people to gain practical work experience in the hospitality sector while responding to employers’ skills needs.
So far, 470 young people have completed their apprenticeships, gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for the world of work.”
Nicolas Oebel, Country Director, @EnabelinUganda
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
What does it take to build a thriving innovation ecosystem in Uganda? 💡
Today at #UgandaInnovationWeek, join us for a timely conversation on strengthening Uganda’s startup ecosystem through effective public-private dialogue.
Hear from policymakers, innovators, and development partners as they explore solutions to policy gaps, collaboration, and scaling innovation for impact.
#𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 #𝗨𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 #𝗨𝗜𝗪𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
What if a simple fish crate could help build a more sustainable future?
At the Corporate Green Innovation Hackathon, innovators are taking on a real challenge from @YaleloUganda.
♻️ How can we reduce the environmental footprint of plastic crates used in fish handling and distribution while maintaining durability, food safety, and operational performance?
The solution could transform not only the aquaculture industry but also how businesses think about circular economy and sustainable packaging.
Together with our partner Ovation, we are excited to see the ideas emerge!
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
#WeWorkUG #GlobalGateway
A glimpse of #UIW2026
The innovation ecosystem is gathering at the grounds, home of the National ICT Innovation Hub, for five days of exhibitions, tech showcases, and conversations shaping Uganda’s future.
Here are some moments from the ongoing activities.
Speaking on the role of partnerships in driving innovation, Nicolas Oebel, Country Director, @EnabelinUganda, emphasized that innovation goes beyond technology.
“Innovation is about creating connections and enabling different actors to work together to solve challenges and improve service delivery. While many promising innovations in Uganda are underfunded, development partners should focus on building partnerships with the private sector around common interests, ensuring that value is created and shared by everyone involved.”
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
Are you within @innovationhubug Nakawa?
Then you won't want to miss the @Ocular_Project innovation. Visit our booth to see how local innovation is driving real-world solutions and shaping the future of healthcare.
Pass by, explore, and witness innovation at work.
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
#WeCareUG
📌 Happening now: The Corporate Green Innovation Hackathon
With funding from the @EUinUG and the Kingdom of Belgium, Enabel in partnership with ovation is bringing together companies facing concrete sustainability challenges with entrepreneurs, start-ups, technical experts and ESOs to co-develop innovative solutions.
The hackathon will focus on three challenges identified in consultation with corporate partners:
📌 @YaleloUganda – Circular packaging: Exploring solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of plastic crates used in fish handling and distribution, while maintaining the required durability, quality, food safety and operational performance.
📌 Nature Lodges, Wildplaces, Great Lakes Safaris, Mucha Lodges – Sustainable waste management in tourism: Developing affordable and commercially viable waste management solutions for lodges in remote tourism
destinations.
📌 AB InBev / @NBLUganda – Sustainable barley farming and farmer livelihoods:
Identifying solutions to improve the net earnings and livelihoods of barley farmers in the Rwenzori region.
The challenges will be presented by the corporate partners, with technical resource persons available to guide participating teams.
The objective is to generate promising solution concepts that respond to real business and value-chain needs and could be further developed and potentially piloted in collaboration with the companies
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
#WeWorkUG
Day 4 put policy in the spotlight. Day 5 is our final push to turn ideas, connections and ambition into lasting impact!
From bold conversations on Uganda’s Startup Act and policy implementation to public-private dialogue, regulatory frameworks and the role of government in enabling innovation, Day 4 brought the people shaping Uganda’s innovation landscape into one room.
The discussions challenged us to look beyond policy promises and focus on what really matters: implementation, stronger institutions, meaningful partnerships and an enabling environment where startups can build, grow and scale.
And now, it’s time for the grand finale! 🚀
Today, Day 5 brings Uganda Innovation Week 2026 to a powerful close. We are keeping the energy high with conversations on talent and mentorship, ecosystem building, innovation, partnerships and the opportunities that will shape the next chapter of Uganda’s startup ecosystem.
Five days. Countless connections. Bold ideas. New possibilities.
The final day is here. Make it count!
13 November 2026 | UICT Grounds, Nakawa Entrance is FREE! Join us at the venue.
Build. Connect. Scale.
#UIW2026 #UgandaInnovates #BuildConnectScale #InnovationEcosystem #StartupEcosystem #EnablingChange
📢 Could your organisation help strengthen education through digital innovation?
Enabel invites public, private & non-profit organisations to express their interest in operating its Innovation Hub & Toolkit model in Tanzania & Uganda.
📅 Deadline: 11 Jan 2027
👇 All details : https://t.co/WusRntCQWn
“We are not short of ideas. What we need are stronger pathways to market. As government, we are working to expand access to both local and international markets, moving beyond policy development to practical implementation.
One of the ways we are doing this is through the establishment of regional innovation hubs attached to public universities. Currently Through @innovationhubug , we have supported 133 startups, with 90% of their solutions already reaching the marketplace and creating employment for more than 726 young people.
We are also working closely with enterprises to help Ugandan innovations access global markets and unlock new growth opportunities.” Says Shirley Gladys Nakyejwe, Senior IT Officer and Acting Head of Department Research and Development, @MoICT_Ug
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
Enabel and @EUinUG have this morning opened the conversation on creating shared values through innovation and how development partners and private sector can achieve these results.
"Innovation is at the heart of our global strategy and remains a key driver of sustainable development."
Said @jeanvanwetter Managing Director of @Enabel_Belgium, during his remarks at Uganda Innovation Week.
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
“Engaging innovators should go beyond the pilot phase. The real challenge is turning promising ideas into solutions that can scale and deliver lasting impact.
The private sector has a key role to play by availing market opportunities, sharing expertise and working with innovators as strategic partners. Development partners, in turn, should provide tailored financing that responds to the needs of growing enterprises.”
Nicolas Oebel, Country Director, @EnabelInUganda
Day 2 of Uganda Innovation Week is in full swing!
👋 If you are around @innovationhubug , stop by and experience it for yourself. Explore, learn, connect, and get inspired by the innovations transforming lives every day.
#EnablingChange#UgandaInnovates#UIW2026
"The Government of Uganda remains committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. I encourage all innovators and entrepreneurs to remain resilient, creative, and focused on developing products and services that can improve lives, create jobs, and contribute to our country's socio-economic transformation." Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo Minister of State for ICT during her remarks at the Uganda Innovation Week @innovationhubug.
#EnablingChange #UgandaInnovates #UIW2026
Postpartum haemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal death, making skilled health workers critical to saving lives.
At #UgandaInnovationWeek, Jinja Nursing School students are showcasing their knowledge on managing it.
With funding from the Kingdom of Belgium, we build tutors' capacity and equip tem with modern lab and clinical skills equipment needed to save lives.
Pass by our booth and see the students' skills in action!
#EnablingChange
#WeTrain4Health
#UgandaInnovates
#UIW2026
Uganda Innovation Week 2026 is bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, and key players in the startup ecosystem to explore opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Join us on #MorningAtNTV as we host Immy Nakyeyune, Deputy Chairperson of Uganda Innovation Week and Founder of Mkazipreneur, for a business update on this year's event.
Are you ready for #UIW2026?
Today, Startup Uganda brought together government representatives, development partners, private sector leaders and innovation ecosystem players at the @innovationhubug in Nakawa for the Uganda Innovation Week 2026 Partners’ Media Briefing.
#UIW2026 #UgandaInnovates
#UIW2026
For @EnabelinUganda, innovation is more than ideas, it’s about creating the connections, opportunities and support systems that help entrepreneurs and innovators build, grow and create impact.
As a Strategic Partner of Uganda Innovation Week 2026, Bart from @EnabelinUganda shares why they are joining the week, what they hope to achieve, and why platforms like UIW matter for the future of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.
9–13 November 2026 | Uganda Innovation Week
Uganda Innovates: Building the Innovation Ecosystem for the Next Decade.
Registration is ongoing. Join us and our partners at UIW 2026.
Visit https://t.co/1ojVJeor1t to register.
#UIW2026 #UgandaInnovationWeek #UgandaInnovates #Enabel #StartupUganda #InnovationUganda #InnovationEcosystem
What if health workers could practice life-saving procedures before stepping into an emergency room? 👩🏽⚕️🥽
That’s exactly what happened in the Rwenzori region over the past two days as we introduced Virtual Reality (VR) training for healthcare professionals.
From managing critical medical scenarios to strengthening clinical decision-making, participants immersed themselves in interactive VR simulations designed to bring healthcare training to life.
The training featured four medical learning modules and brought together representatives from health facilities, alongside a national Ministry of Health trainer on Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH).
For many participants, the experience was a glimpse into the future of healthcare training in Uganda: practical, engaging, and hands-on without risking patient safety.
The future of medical learning is no longer coming. It’s already here. ✨
#WeCareUG #EnbalingChange
🎙️ Listen to the podcast here: https://t.co/rkUybImkuE