Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a critical driver of modern business, with experts urging startups to embrace its potential to remain competitive and sustainable. This call was strongly emphasised during the Impact Week 2026 Ideation Bootcamp hosted by the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Centre in partnership with Thomas More University of Applied Sciences.
The bootcamp, held from February 17 to 20 in Kampala, brought together over 100 student innovators selected from more than 200 applications across the country. It served as a platform for nurturing innovative ideas and equipping young entrepreneurs with practical skills to build sustainable, job-creating enterprises.
According to Enock Julius Naika, Chief Executive Officer of Famunera, artificial intelligence is no longer optional but a necessity for businesses, especially startups operating in competitive and resource-constrained environments. He explained that AI significantly reduces operational costs by automating repetitive and time-consuming processes.
“With AI, many processes can be automated, reducing expenditure and helping startups navigate early-stage challenges,” Naika noted. He added that beyond cost reduction, AI enables businesses to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making through data analysis, and scale operations faster than traditional business models. For startups that often struggle with limited human and financial resources, such technological leverage can mean the difference between survival and failure.
Naika described the bootcamp as a transformative platform that sharpens entrepreneurial skills and prepares founders to build enterprises capable of addressing real-world challenges while creating employment opportunities. However, he pointed out that despite the growing innovation among young entrepreneurs, significant barriers still exist. “One of the biggest challenges is limited access to affordable financing,” he said. “Most young entrepreneurs lack the collateral required by financial institutions, which limits their ability to scale their businesses.” This financing gap remains a persistent obstacle in Uganda’s startup ecosystem, often stifling promising ideas before they can fully develop into viable enterprises.
At the climax of the bootcamp, three startups were recognised for their innovation and potential impact. These included African Bead, a fashion enterprise blending cultural heritage with modern design through handcrafted beadwork bags; Selfresh Africa, which is tackling post-harvest losses through off-grid cold storage solutions; and EA Value Venture, a startup focused on value addition in agriculture through matooke processing.
Although only three startups received awards, organisers emphasised that all participating teams would continue to benefit from mentorship, incubation support, and linkages to broader entrepreneurial ecosystems. This continued support is aimed at ensuring that ideas developed during the bootcamp evolve into fully operational businesses.
With increasing youth innovation, strengthened international partnerships, and structured incubation programmes, Impact Week 2026 has further positioned MUBS as a key hub for entrepreneurship-driven transformation in Uganda.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr Diana Nandagire Ntamu, Director of the MUBS Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Centre, underscored the central role of entrepreneurship in Uganda’s economic development. “When young people start businesses, they not only create jobs for themselves but also for others. They stimulate production because their enterprises are linked to other players in the economy,” she said.
Dr Nandagire highlighted that the partnership with the Belgian institution, established in 2022, has significantly strengthened efforts to nurture student innovation. Through this collaboration, students are exposed to global best practices and supported in transitioning from ideation to actual enterprise creation.
“Running a business is a journey,” she explained. “What we are seeing are early steps, but we will continue to support these startups through coaching, mentorship, and linkages to ecosystem players. These students are going to graduate with jobs.” She also cautioned young entrepreneurs against entering markets without proper research, noting that a lack of a clear value proposition remains one of the leading causes of startup failure.
“Most businesses fail because the entrepreneur does not understand the market need,” she said. “If you start a business simply because someone else has done so, you are unlikely to succeed without a unique value proposition.”
Dr Nandagire further urged participants to adopt artificial intelligence responsibly, emphasising its importance in improving productivity while maintaining ethical standards.
Associate Professor Rachael Mindra-Katoroogo, Acting Deputy Principal of MUBS, described the bootcamp as a significant step in shifting from theory-based learning to competence-based education. “This Impact Week is critical in helping young people discover their potential in product development, ideation, and critical thinking,” she said. She stressed that entrepreneurship education must extend beyond classroom instruction to practical, real-world application.
“We have to move beyond the classroom to make entrepreneurship work. Businesses are what transform society and generate revenue for the country,” she added. Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, Prof Mindra-Katoroogo noted that partnerships such as the one between MUBS and the Belgian university have exposed students to global perspectives, particularly in technology and AI-driven innovation. “We must use artificial intelligence to think, model, simulate, and approach entrepreneurship differently,” she said.
As Uganda continues to grapple with youth unemployment, initiatives like Impact Week demonstrate how integrating artificial intelligence, innovation, and entrepreneurship can unlock new opportunities. By equipping young people with the tools, knowledge, and support systems needed to succeed, such programmes are not only shaping the future of business but also contributing to broader economic transformation.