Ugandan software developer up for Africa’s largest engineering innovation prize

A Ugandan software engineer Anatoli Kirigwajjo has advanced to the final stages of the Africa Prize Engineering Award.

Kirigwajjo was shortlisted for the final competition alongside three other finalists from South Africa, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

The winner for the competition whose prize is £25000 about UGX 116 million will be announced on Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Accra, Ghana.

The Africa Prize, founded by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering in 2014, is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to engineering innovation.

“Each of the 15 shortlisted innovators demonstrated an understanding of engineering as a tool to improve the quality of the lives of members of their communities. Energy and environmental solutions featured heavily among this year’s cohort, and it was clear that our innovators are committed to sustainable solutions for Africa’s development. Our four finalists distinguished themselves with their resolve, resilience, and initiative during the Academy’s training programme, and we are privileged to endorse these proudly African entrepreneurs engaged in world-class innovation,” Africa Prize Judge, Dr. Ibilola Amao, said shortly after the shortlist of the finalists.

The finalists were chosen by the Royal Academy of Engineering after receiving support over eight months to help them accelerate their businesses.

Kirigwajjo is the developer of YUNGA, a local digital security network that connects neighbours to each other and police within a 20km radius via a physical device, smartphone app, or SMS service, providing security at a low cost.

He says he developed a safety network after losing USD 1,300 worth of assets in a break-in, with little chance of the thieves being caught.

Kirigwajjo says that participating in this competition has opened doors to both local and foreign investors expressing optimism that bagging the award will see more households added to their protection belt.

“We’ve been able to also get very interesting investors, we’ve been able to get investment even before the project ended.

The training was well utilized and we got local investment from here, we’ve also managed to find in some Korea and also now having conversations with other investors in London,” Kirigwajjo he said.

Each of the other three finalists will receive£10,000.