MTN Uganda and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda have announced the winners of the 2026 PachiPanda Innovation Challenge, the second edition of the youth-focused programme in Uganda.
The challenge supports young innovators, entrepreneurs and youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises to turn environmental challenges into practical, scalable and commercially viable solutions that create environmental, social and economic value.
Held under the theme “Nature Meets Innovation: Unlocking Africa’s Green Economy,” this year’s competition attracted more than 300 applications. Fifteen innovators and youth-led enterprises were shortlisted for the national finals and attended a bootcamp from 21 to 23 October, where they received business training and mentorship to strengthen their solutions and sharpen their pitches.
The overall winner, Garvin Billy Ssemyalo’s Agrosap, whose innovation focuses on water retention and ensuring that soil retains enough moisture to support crop growth throughout the planting period, will receive Shs 15 million.
The first runner-up, Arther Lule and Sharma Kemigisha’s Lutre Plastics, recognised for producing boards from recycled plastics, will receive Shs 10 million.
The second runner-up, Rhona Janet Atugonza’s Reyre Blocks Ltd, whose solution focuses on turning waste tyres into sustainable construction materials, addressing tyre burning and heavy reliance on sand, will receive Shs 5 million.
All three winners will represent Uganda at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge finale in South Africa in February 2027.
MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Mulinge said the competition was intended to help young innovators turn environmental challenges into business opportunities.
“PachiPanda demonstrates what is possible when we bring together technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship. Environmental challenges can also be opportunities to build businesses, create jobs and improve livelihoods,” Mulinge said.
WWF Uganda Executive Director Ivan Tumuhimbise said the next step was to help the innovations move beyond the competition and deliver measurable benefits.
“Through PachiPanda, we are seeing innovators approach 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.’’ Tumuhimbise said.
The 2026 challenge is the second edition to be held in Uganda. The inaugural cohort, comprising FarmGate Digital, Kampala Buzzline and Bottle for Cash Eco-Drop, represented the country at the continental competition in South Africa earlier this year.
FarmGate Digital focuses on reducing post-harvest food losses through improved market information and coordination. Kampala Buzzline works to restore pollinator habitats through community conservation and digital mapping, while Bottle for Cash Eco-Drop uses smart collection bins and mobile-enabled rewards to encourage plastic collection and recycling.
One of Uganda’s previous finalists, Bottle for Cash Eco-Drop, also received the Bayobab Innovator’s Award at MTN Group level.
This year’s challenge focused on nature-based climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and green enterprises, biodiversity and natural-resource conservation, and digital solutions for Africa’s green economy.
The initiative is part of MTN Uganda’s sustainability ambitions under Ambition 2030. The company says its partnership with WWF Uganda aims to support innovation that protects natural resources, strengthens communities and creates economic opportunities.
