Lango Innovation Challenge is a program inspired and started by the youths under their brand, Kakebe Technologies. That’s a tech company based in Lira City intending to give equal chances to youth in the Northern Uganda. Those at a better advantage have the capacity to participate in critical thinking and solving problems affecting their region. Over the last two decades, the rapid growth of ICT has become one of the most important topics discussed by the scholars in education. This is due to the capability of ICT in providing a dynamic and proactive teaching and learning environment. In line with the current digital era, teachers are required to integrate ICT in their daily teaching. They’re also expected to replace their traditional methods with modern tools and facilities.
Goals of Lango Innovation Challenge
The main focus of this innovation program is the effectiveness of ICT integration in education and in youth. More specifically, the program aims at identifying the level of computer skills and knowledge. In turn, this should persuade the youth in Lango Region and Northern Uganda embrace innovation and technology as a way of life. Moreover, the objective of this paper is to identify the level of ICT integration in teaching and learning process. It extends to classroom, work and among the youth in the region.
- Inspire scientific curiosity by engaging 200+ young people in practical technology and innovation activities in Northern Uganda.
- Build creativity and improve resilience in young people through STEM activities that use the engineering design process.
- Train Ugandan youth to develop technology projects that transform their communities by solving local challenges and creating sustainable livelihoods.
How Participants Took Part?
The Selection criteria was based on the innovativeness, applicability of innovation in the community to help the local people and how scalable the solution can be.
How did people vote, and who voted In Lango Innovation Challenge?
The voting was both online and physical. Online voting happened on Twitter and Kakebe technologies website. These platforms carried 60% of the votes while 40% was dependent on the judges. Voting was on for two weeks on both platforms.
Who organized the Lango innovation challenge?
Kakebe Technologies Limited organized The Lango Innovation Challenge.
Which prizes did winners take?
Best teams received Accolades, medals and capacity to participate in the funding opportunities in early 2023. All the top 16 groups will participate in the Accelerator programs in early February 2023. This should boost their innovation and put them out there to the market.
When will it happen again?
Kakebe Technologies says The Lango Innovation Challenge will be an annual event. Consequently, they will communicate the next event date in February 2023, but are most likely going to have it in August.
How can I participate in the Lango Innovation Challenge?
Participation shall be open to Primary Schools, Secondary, higher institutions and Youths in innovations. Organizers want to include all aspects of learning to create creative thinking in the youths in the region.
Is it limited to Lango people?
Lango Innovation Challenge is not entirely for Langi. It is open to participation for youth in the Northern Region of Uganda; an example: the first runner up is Acholi from Gulu.
Stakeholders and sponsors
The main funders and partner of the event was Amara Hub, a community hub based in Kole District Creating dignified livelihood opportunities for young people.
- Mwonya Streams
- The Innovation Village.
- Miss Lango Beauty Pageantry
- 94.3 QFM Lira City
- Kakebe Shop Online
How Kakebe Technologies Organized This Event
According to Sedrick Otolo, KaKebe Technologies has a vision of transforming society using science and technology in everyday life. This is to make the (Lango sub region and) Northern Region of Uganda a great region in terms of ICT and innovations. Many talented young people from the Lango sub region have participated and represented Uganda in international and national level of Innovation challenges and attained awards which has improved the profile of the region. Hence as the youth in innovation and ICT, Otolo and colleagues feel they have a role to play in improving practical ICT skills among the youths in High Schools, Institutions and fresh graduates in their region.
Kakebe’s Approach To The Challenges
The above stated challenges affecting the ICT sections in school have different approaches and solutions to enhance ICT among students and teachers. To add value to what the Uganda National Examination Board provides in the curriculum of institutions, Sedrick believes they can add special IT training and competitions. This should help the students have more practical based lessons and be able to address the world’s challenges right from school.
- Creativity and innovation. Innovation motivates our actions: to take risks, encourage curiosity and creativity, and strive to exceed expectations.
- Pursue Excellence. Always delivering exceptional quality, improved and accomplished work to our client in time..
- Integrity & Candor. We’re honest, transparent and committed to doing what’s best for our customers. We openly collaborate in pursuit of the truth.
- Get it done. Clients trust us to build things that work and our team will overcome obstacles, find solutions and deliver exceptional results.
How Lango Innovation Challenge Came In
The practical approach here was to Host a Lango Innovation Challenge. This would engage Lango region and boost the innovativeness in youth in Secondary Schools, institutions and innovations. Fast forward, a one day Technology Challenge was hosted in Lira City as the Center of Lango on the 10 December 2022.
This involved different districts registering their schools to participate in the challenge for inter-district competitions. Eventually, they had t0 choose two representatives for the regional competition that shall happen collectively in Lira City. Best performers from the regional competition shall be awarded and taken through the Kakebe Acceleration Program to fine tune their innovations and push them to next levels.
The top 100 winners Lango Innovation Challenge Winners
The event crowned upto 150 groups that applied and short listed 32 teams. Each team was composed of 5 members and subjected to the public votes which ended up very free and fair with all 32 teams attending the award ceremony.
What Is Kakebe Technologies?
Kakebe Technologies is a software Youth led company (Tech Company) based in Lira City. It is growing as a market leader in offering science and technological services. The company offers these to the public in a time-saving, fast and efficient way in Lango Region. “We provide enhanced IT services to improve productivity,” says Sedrick, “and efficiency in businesses, organizations and companies. The brand is building on their technologies, competencies, value and customer interests for stakeholders and customers. This in turn creates a better everyday life using science, technology and engineering for society impacts.”
Kakebe Technologies Vision
We exist to make our customers happy by developing and enhancing digital products while adding value to the business using science and technology.
Kakebe Technologies Mission.
We strive to provide enhanced IT services to improve businesses and productivity. Building on our technologies, competencies and customer interests, and creating value for our stakeholders and customers.
Sedrick Talks About Amara Hub
Despite many societies across Africa being male-dominated, women are charged with nearly all the domestic work. From agricultural family activities, to child care. Women grow food, collect water, build and maintain houses, educate children, and generate income for the home. Yet, somewhat remain among the most disadvantaged and sidelined in the community.
“Our mission at Amara Hub is to create dignified livelihood opportunities for youth,” says Otolo, “especially young women and girls. We are working alongside educators, community leaders, non-governmental organizations, and local government authorities. We want to lead and contribute to the development and delivery of solutions to our most pressing skills and socio-economic challenges.”
The organization is inspiring increased commitment and investment in skills development and access to opportunity. Sedrick says they are empowering young people to adapt to the current volatile and uncertain economy through new education, resilience and innovation.
Final words for the northern Uganda region
Sedrick Otolo – Lango Innovation Challenge Team Lead, “ Great vote of thanks and appreciation goes to all the participants of the challenge 2022. I would love to call out to our leaders and potential partners to join us in organizing the second edition of the Lango Innovation Challenge to make it more bigger and impactful. We have so many brilliant minds in Northern Uganda! We only unlock the potential when we have programs like the innovation challenge that helps to shape our entrepreneurs.”
Pictorial At Lango Innovation Challenge
