Kampala, Uganda—January 18, 2025—Empower Youth in Technology (EYIT) emerged as the overall winner of the Civic Hackathon and Bootcamp: AI for Grassroots Impact, a prestigious three-day event held from January 16 to 18, 2025, in Bukoto, Kampala. Organized by Kampala Analytica and hosted by StartHub Africa, the event brought together innovators, tech enthusiasts, and grassroots change-makers to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in solving local challenges.
EYIT’s groundbreaking concept, the “EYIT Media App,” stole the spotlight for its innovative approach to leveraging AI to enhance grassroots digital media. The platform aims to empower local communities by providing accessible, AI-driven tools for content creation, social accountability, and effective communication. This remarkable achievement earned the team a coveted €10,000 grant to bring their vision to life.
The hackathon featured an impressive lineup of facilitators, including Victor Muwonge Semaganda, Morine Amutorine, Christopher Okidi, and Alban Manishimwe, who provided hands-on guidance in ideation, prototyping, and pitching. Their expertise in design thinking and AI applications equipped participants with practical skills to develop impactful solutions.
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Tassilo von Droste, Head of Program at GIZ Uganda GCSP. His insights on the role of AI in civic innovation—highlighting social accountability, resource mobilization, and grassroots impact—resonated deeply with the participants, setting the tone for three days of meaningful engagement and innovation.
The competition featured five dynamic teams, each presenting unique solutions to grassroots challenges. Through teamwork, mentorship, and creativity, these ideas were transformed into actionable prototypes. Alongside EYIT, other standout teams included Girl Potential Care Centre, which developed an AI-Powered Youth Scroll Lock Platform, and APEX Tech Solutions, creators of an AI-Powered Donor Matching Platform. Both teams also secured €10,000 grants for their innovative projects.
EYIT’s victory underscores the importance of hackathons in fostering creative problem-solving, skill development, and collaboration. Events like this provide a vital platform for empowering innovators to tackle real-world challenges using technology.
The success of the Civic Hackathon was made possible by the collective efforts of Kampala Analytica, GIZ, StartHub Africa, and the European Union, whose support demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing grassroots innovation through technology.
“This win is a significant milestone for EYIT and the broader tech community in Uganda,” said Taremwa Smith, Assistant IT officer at Empower Youth in Technology (EYIT). “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate and for the support to bring our vision to life. We believe the EYIT Media App will transform how communities engage with digital media and create lasting impact.”
As Uganda and the world continue to harness the power of AI for positive change, events like the Civic Hackathon serve as a beacon of innovation and collaboration, inspiring a future where technology bridges gaps and empowers communities. Watch the grand prize announcement here.
