Teams from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) were among the top performers at the STI Future Makers Hackathon 2026, held during National Science Week at Kololo Independence Grounds on May 3, 2026.
In a competitive national event that brought together student innovators from across Uganda, two teams affiliated with MUST secured the top two positions, with each team awarded UGX 300 million to support further development of their innovations. Notably, both solutions were conceived and developed within one week during the hackathon.
The overall winners of the hackathon were:
- Zuula Care – Inclusion & Accessibility Tools
- Mpora – Transport & Mobility Innovation
- Ladu – Energy Access & Efficiency
The first-place team, Zuula Care, developed ZuulaCare GastroDx™️, a diagnostic solution designed to detect Helicobacter pylori and Salmonella Typhi using a single stool sample. The innovation was developed within one week during the hackathon.
The solution is a stool-based DNA lateral flow assay that produces results in approximately 15 minutes and does not require complex laboratory infrastructure. It is intended for use in settings with limited access to diagnostic services.
The team was led by Musau Immanuel Afrika and included Mutyaba Ronald, Moses Ainembabazi, Victor Mugambe, and Edith Mirembe. The team consists of graduate students and alumni from MUST. Their work was supported by mentorship from Abel Walekhwa (STI) and academic guidance from Prof. Joel Bazira (MUST), in collaboration with the Association for Pharmaceutical Scientists of Uganda (APSU).
Mpora Innovation
The second-place team, Mpora, developed an intelligent speed limit assistant device aimed at improving road safety. The device uses GPS and geofencing technology to regulate vehicle speed within designated zones. This innovation was also developed within the same one-week hackathon period.
The system is designed to address human error, which is a contributing factor in many road traffic accidents, by automatically enforcing speed limits.
The Mpora team was composed of Tashobya Treasure, Manzi Comfort, and John Wycliffe Mugisha. Like the Zuula Care team, they are graduate students and master’s alumni from MUST, pursuing studies in engineering and related fields.
Both innovations reflect approaches to addressing practical challenges in healthcare and transport systems. The financial awards are expected to support further development, testing, and potential scaling of the solutions.
The outcomes of the hackathon highlight ongoing efforts by student innovators to contribute to national development through applied research and technology-driven solutions, even within short development timelines such as a one-week hackathon.
