YOU LEAD KAMPALA YOUTH INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2026 ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT:
The Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS-Uganda), as part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations, is inviting applications from young innovators, entrepreneurs, students, and youth-led organizations for the You Lead Kampala Youth Innovation Challenge 2026.
About the Opportunity
With thousands of tonnes of waste generated daily, the Kampala Metropolitan Area faces increasing environmental and public health challenges. This Challenge empowers young people to develop innovative, practical solutions that address this growing issue while promoting sustainability and youth economic empowerment.
We are calling on bold minds to present ideas that can turn waste into opportunity, create green jobs, and help build a cleaner, healthier city. Whether your innovation is an idea, prototype, pilot project, digital platform, social enterprise, or community-based solution, we want to hear from you.
Who Should Apply?
Applicants should:
- Be young people aged 15–35 years.
- Be representing a youth-led organization, community group, start-up, or private sector enterprise.
- Be a student from a secondary school, vocational institution, or university.
- Be a researcher or innovator passionate about the environment.
- Apply either individually or as a team of up to five members.
What We Are Looking For
You are challenged to answer: How might young people develop innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions that improve solid waste management while creating economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life in the Kampala Metropolitan Area?
Your practical and impactful innovations should address:
- Recycling, waste recovery, and circular economy innovations.
- Waste-to-value and green business solutions.
- Community and technology-driven waste management.
- Environmental awareness and behaviour change initiatives.
- Youth-led innovations that create sustainable livelihoods.
Awards and Support
Outstanding innovations will compete for:
- Top Winner: UGX 5,000,000
- 2nd Runner-Up: UGX 3,000,000
- 8 Top Finalists: UGX 1,000,000 each
In addition to financial support, finalists will benefit from:
- Mentorship and technical guidance.
- Exposure to potential investors and partners.
- National recognition and media visibility.
- Innovation showcase opportunities.
- Networking with government, private sector, and development partners.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their innovative solutions and required documents before the deadline.
- Launch Date: 08th September 2026
- Application Deadline: 05th October 2026
- Awards Ceremony: 20th November 2026
To ensure a smooth experience when filling out the application form, please verify that your device is connected to the internet and that you are logged in with your Gmail address.
For inquiries, contact us via email: info@heps.or.ug or call: +256 771 646 811. / 0414693491