INNOVATION : MTN Uganda yesterday flagged off the country’s winners of the Pachi Panda Innovation Challenge as they prepare to pitch their innovations at the continental finals in South Africa, competing against peers from across Africa for a pan-African award.
The winners – FarmGate Digital, Kampala Buzzline, and Bottle for Cash Eco-Drop – emerged top in the Uganda edition of the challenge, an initiative by MTN Uganda in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
As part of MTN’s commitment to nurturing innovation, the company is fully facilitating the teams’ participation in the continental finals, covering transportation, accommodation, and related logistical support, for the four days.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Kampala, the Senior Manager – MTN Foundation Uganda, Bryan Mbasa said the initiative reflects MTN’s belief that promising ideas should not be limited by access or resources.
“At MTN, we believe that innovation thrives when talent is given the right support,” Mbasa said. “By fully facilitating this journey, we are ensuring that these teams can focus on what matters most—refining their ideas, pitching confidently, and showcasing Uganda’s innovation potential on a continental stage.”
He added that the Pachi Panda Innovation Challenge aligns with MTN’s broader sustainability agenda of driving shared value through digital inclusion and climate action.
“We support this initiative because it combines technology, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity,” Mbasa said. “These innovators are addressing real challenges in food systems, biodiversity, and waste management, while creating solutions that can scale across Africa.”
FarmGate Digital, Uganda’s national winner, is tackling post-harvest food loss by coordinating pricing, quality, storage, and market timing to reduce waste and emissions in urban food markets. Founder Ruth Kyobutungi, said MTN’s support has been instrumental in enabling the team to focus on growth.
“Having MTN facilitate our participation removes a major barrier,” Kyobutungi said. “It allows us to concentrate on strengthening our pitch and positioning our solution for regional impact.”
Second-place winner Kampala Buzzline, founded by Hannington Sserwanga, focuses on restoring pollinator habitats in urban areas through community-led conservation, digital mapping, and green livelihoods for women and youth.
“This support gives us confidence as we take our work beyond Uganda,” Sserwanga said. “It shows a real commitment to empowering climate innovators.”
Third-place winner Bottle for Cash Eco-Drop, led by Derrick Kyambadde and a team of students from Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga Memorial School in Kalangala District, addresses plastic pollution through smart bins that reward users instantly via mobile technology.
“MTN’s support means we can present our idea at the continental level without worrying about the logistics,” Kyambadde said. “It is an opportunity that motivates us to think bigger.”
MTN Group launched the Pachi Panda Innovation Challenge in 2022 to support African innovators developing practical solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.
