2019 Uganda SDG Youth Exhibitors Profiles

UGANDA

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Foreword

Uganda became a member of the United Nations On 25 October 1962. In 2015, during Uganda’s Presidency of the United Nations General Assembly, world leaders came together at the United Nations headquarters and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since then, Uganda has remained a front-runner in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the United Nations reforms coming into force in 2019, Uganda has also demonstrated its leadership by making bold moves as an early starter in the localization of the UN reform. H.E. President Yoweri Museveni received my credentials in February 2019, held his first strategic dialogue with the UN Country Team in July 2019 and elevated the commemoration of United Nations Day (24 October) in line with the UN Reform enabling it to become a national day organised jointly by the host government and the UN System in close collaboration with partners focused on solutions for Uganda’s sustainable development. On 21 October cabinet adopted SDGs as a pathway for development establishing

the National SDG Secretariat and endorsing the Minister for General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister as the national focal point for SDGs. On 24 October 2019, UN Day commemorations were held at Kololo Independence grounds in Kampala and served to raise awareness about the 57th anniversary of Uganda’s membership of the UN as well as the SDGs. Under the theme ‘Youth Entrepreneurship for SDGs, we focused on Youth innovations for national development and the realization of the SDGs. More than 200 Youth groups and companies applied through an on-line platform out of which 21 Youth innovators were selected who showcased their solutions in line with SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13 and 17. It is my singular hounour and privilege to present to you this booklet with the profiles of the 21 Ugandan Youth champions for Sustainable Development Goals. I invite to read the snapshot of their innovations, location and contacts and how their solutions are contributing to the 17 SDGs.Uganda is a young country, home to 40 million citizens and over 1 million refugees, 78% of which are under 30 years old. This booklet is the beginning of recognising solutions by youth in Uganda. Going forward, I trust that we will document one million SDG solutions starting with the 21 documented in this booklet. It is my sincere hope that you will visit, mentor and invest in these young people to amplify their solutions. Together let’s leave no one behind. Ms. Rosa MalangoUnited Nations Resident Coordinator

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PhyllisNassunaC O N T A C T

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Phone:

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+256 704 605 268+256 783 952 628

Female

Tukole UG

Lead

Bachelors of Information Technology

Ntinda Shopping Complex Block B 3rd Floor

pnassuna@innovationvillage.co.ug ntanangaphyllis@gmail.com

Tukole UG is a marketplace for blue-collar businesses and service, linking over 2000 workers in over 50 categories to small jobs, as well as long term placements. Tukole leverages technology to service aggregated demand of talent connecting skilled youth to individuals, business and organizations that are in need of their skills. For more information, please visit Tukole UG

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VictoNaluleC O N T A C T

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+256782034344

Female

Tunaweza Foundation

Founder and Executive Director

Bachelors in Human Resource Management / Postgraduate HRM

P.0.Box 36655 Kampala Uganda

nvicto87@gmail.com/tunawezafoundation@gmail.com

Tunaweza Foundation is an NGO that works in communities to enhance equal opportunities for all. The need here therefore is to help bring out the best in this special group of people through exploring their areas of greatness and making them the building blocks and true foundation for the next generation of leading social, political and economic change.Our Mission is to enable persons with disabilities realize their aspirations and fully participate in the society, through helping them discover their potential and nurturing that potential to create meaningful, impactful and positive life-changing experiences.

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+256 775 808 275 +256 756 799 863

Male

Max Sugar Cane Value Addition Project

Project Team Leader

Biomedical Laboratory Technologist from Makerere University awaiting his graduation in 2020. He holds a diploma in epidemiology in infectious diseases from CEND program by UC Berkeley University and Makerere University

Kampala

hkisabirye@gmail.com

This was to tap into the unutilized market of sugar cane juice. In June 2018 we transformed the project to add value to the sugar cane wastes *(bargaus). Which we utilize as animal feeds and also make charcoal (briquettes).

The project is carried out under the guidance of Dr. Nambatya Grace Kyeyune the director research of natural chemotherapeutic research institute. We anticipate to have better machinery to increase our production to meet the increased demand by our clients

Isabirye HerbertKiirya

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+256-779946848+256-753622530

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dormihomes.com

Co-founder and CEO

Bachelors of Tourism

Kamwokya, Kampala

nrobert@dormihomes.com robertndyamuhaki937@gmail.com

Dormihomes.com is a technology start-up company that is enabling access to affordable housing to all Ugandans especially among low income young people. We enable affordability in different ways; through our Home Sharing or Rooms Sharing with like-minded people. Our co-living units are located in residential buildings such as apartment blocks and houses. Renters enjoy the private use of a bedroom while sharing communal but home-like common spaces, such as; sitting, kitchen, wash rooms, gym and work areas that provide room for socialising. We use technology to deliver the seamless booking process that casts out the traditional intermediaries (brokers) and their ridiculous ancillary payment. Shared Housing Is when location, convenience, community and affordability are all maximized for the renter, while revenue is maximized for the space provider. In this way, we want to make Ugandan cities and towns inclusive and sustainable by reducing the pressure on the construction industry the world’s second largest emitter.

NdyamuhakiRobert

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+256 775 783 344+256 753 134 212

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Eco Organic Innovations Limited

Executive Director and Co-founder

Diploma in Business Studies

Mayuge Uganda

kadamaelvis@gmail.com

Eco-Organic Innovations Ltd is a youth led registered social enterprise based in Mayuge district that is combating malaria and bed bug infections through the manufactures and sells of “Eco-soap” and “Eco-insecta, among the vulnerable families in Uganda by the integration of essential natural oils like Eucalyptus oil, Citronella oil and peppermint oil in all our products. By incorporating these natural organic repellent mechanisms into every day and affordable products, Eco-soap & Eco-insecta makes malaria and bed bug protection safe and accessible to everyone without needing to incur behavioral changes. Eco organic innovations limited aims to reduce malaria deaths by up to 20% and bed bug infections among young children and adults in urban and rural communities through last mile distribution and financing of organic insect repellent products and active malaria and bed bug sensitization campaigns. We envision a malaria and bed bug free world. Our mission is to increase awareness of malaria and prevent the spread utilizing natural components to ward off mosquitoes.

ElvisKadhama

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+256 778502605 +256702593903

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Youth Achievers Forum Africa

Founder and Executive Director

Bachelors of Quantitative Economics

Namuwongo, Kampala

edsonzeb2012@gmail.comyouthachieversforum@gmail.com

The Youth Achievers Forum Africa (YAFA) is a registered Non-Government organization operating in Uganda. With a vision of young people everywhere meeting the needs of other young people and communities everywhere, YAFA Mobilizes, Motivates and empowers young people with tools with which to become leaders of change in their communities. We therefore implement a number of projects and programs in different youth communities and schools around Uganda. YAFA has so far a membership of 11,000 youth leaders registered and fully participating in some of our programs which include • Youth Volunteer Network – YVN • The Youth Institute of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development• The Youth SDGs Fellowship• Virtual Voices Program.

EdsonZeboosi

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+256 776 053 737

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Handz (U) Limited

Managing Director

Bachelor of Commerce (MUK) PGD in Agricultural Risk Management and Finance

Plot 29/41 Spring Road Bugolobi

amuhandiki@gmail.com ceo@handzltd.com

Handz (U) Limited is an agribusiness company incorporated in 2011 and has since been working with and giving support to smallholder coffee farmers in western Uganda, with the aim of increasing both the quality and the quantity of the coffee they produce thereby creating a reliable and sustainable supply chain to the company and to the export market.

we train SHF in good agricultural practices (GAPs) - from land preparation, to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Climate smart Agriculture, posthavest handling and collective marketing. With support from UCDA, we provide clean planting materials including disease resistant materials like CWDRs. We have also ventured in promotion of local consumption of coffee by way of processing instant coffees for the local market.

MuhandikiAndrew

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+256-705 791 240 +256-772-402 959

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Coopertive Society

Founder Member And M&E Officer

Bacholers Of Arts In Social Sciences

Bwaise, Kampala

Bwire.henry51@gmail.com

Bwaise Community Sacco was formed by economically marginalized members of Bwaise II parish in Kawempe division.Initially these community members had organized themselves into small informal groups; Achievers’ Lufula, Mukalazi women development group,Tebuyoleka youth group.It was registered in September 2017 on Reg No.P7695/BCS.Bwaise Community Sacco started with 30 members, these members were all low income earners (urban poor).

BwireHenry

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+256-701715838+256-704581565+256-758162550

Female

Kawempe Multi Purpose Group

Founder And Group Secretary

Bacholers Of Arts In Social Development Finance

Bwaise,Makerere 111 Mayinja Zone

Carolinenaluyimbazi1@gmail.comkmultpu@gmail.com

VISION; To Create An Enbling Environment In Which The Group Members And Community At Large Shall Live In And Enjoy A Quality Life.

MISSION: To Accelerate Jobs And Improved Health Of The Community Of People Living In Makerere 111 , Bwaise ,Mayinja Zone .

CORE VALUES: Teamwork, Transparency, Patience, God Fearing And Respectful.Kawempe multipurpose group is a registered community based organization and registration no. KAW\18\090 running our activities in bwaise. The organizational focus is to create an enabling environment in which the group members and the community at large shall live in and enjoy a quality life. Thus we motivate members on ideas to eradicate poverty through projects and programmes like carpentry, art and craft i.e. cow horn products, saving and credit scheme among others. so far different youth both males and females around kawempe division acquired trainings in carpentry project .The group has now 60 members from the initial stage of 20 members.

“ TOGETHER WE STAND “

NaluyimbaziCaroline

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+256 772 699 381 +256 702 452 191

Female

Muhabba Foods Women Development Group

Founder and chairperson

Bachelors of Science in organic Agriculture

Bombo Town Coucil, Lomule North village ,Luweero.

sharifaz2014@mail.com

Muhabba Foods Women Development Group is a registered community based organization (CBO) operating in Bombo Town Council Luweero district. Muhabba’s vision is to promote enhanced livelihoods with a mission to provide relevant skills and innovations to empower the rural women and youth.The project was for women but we found out that the youth if trained then we shall have sustainability of the project.With the need for a healthy living due to poor feeding and lack of income, we equip / train the youth during holidays with skills in production and value addition of hibiscus which is highly rich in iron and vitamin A and women in its processing where we produce hibiscus juice ready to drink packed in 300ml, 500ml and 5 liters. Also orange juice ground nut paste and hibiscus powder , are our major project innovations.Other programs include village savings and loan schemes (VSLA) for women who are 43 in total and mentoring of youths in the community who total to 70.

SharifaZuhairi

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+256701 919 187

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Nyonta Relief

Founder

Bachelors Social Works

5th Floor, Rwenzori Towers.

nyontarelief@gmail.comt

Nyonta Relief is a charitable organization in Uganda on a mission to wind-down the number of children who die everyday to preventable water borne diseases by empowering mothers in Uganda. In a country where over 60% of the population has no access to portable water, boiling water for drinking becomes a standard practice, Infact, it is so common that we forget that the capacity to do so is a privilege so many families around us cannot afford. This is perhaps justification for the 33 children that die everyday to a drinking water related illness in Uganda. Mindful of the above, Nyonta Relief is helping deprived mothers who are also the custodians of household health with an alternative solution to boiling drinking water, a locally designed gravity operated 0.1 micron filter producing enough safe drinking water for their families and for business selling affordable clean water in their neighbourhoods. Nyonta Relief beneficiary mothers testify to earning between Sh. 3000 to Sh. 10,000 everyday from ‘Watertrepreneurship’ bringing financial contribution to their families and yet with plenty of safe water for their children.

Christopher

SsekitolekoMatabi

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+256 775 773 218 +256 705 895 967

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Smart Youth Network Initiative

Executive Director

Computer Science and Information Technology

Rubaga, Kampala

babdulnuruoyo@gmail.com busingye@merchandiseuganda.com

Smart Youth Network Initiative brings together the Youths and Women individuals from all regions in Uganda, with the vision of providing and developing professional digital skills to individuals and organizations in the private sector, The Initiative conducts awareness campaigns, disseminate research, advocacy and establishment of projects and policies concerning the adoption and usage of Sustainable development informatics in Uganda. design, voluntarism, localization, development, implementation and usage of digitalized systems to achieve development goals. Smart Youth Network Initiative Uganda seeks to become the foremost and largest forum for Youth and Women ICT practitioners, Climate Smart Innovators, researchers and policy makers to share their skills, knowledge and experience on the technology, adoption, localization, innovation, management and policy making.

BusingyeNurudin

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+256 704 290 459 +256 785 158 041

Female

Sprout Up Youth and Women Initiative (SUYAWI) Ltd

Procurement and Operations Manager

Bachelors of Procurement and Logistics Management

Wandegeya, Kampala.

rebeccanakiguli55@gmail.com infor@suyawi.org / www.suyawi.org

Sprout Up Youth and Women Initiave (SUYAWI) Ltd is an incorporated organisation under Section 18(3) of the Companies Act 2012 of Uganda currently headquartered and operating in Uganda with an intention of further establishing activities in East Africa, the African continent as well as the rest of the world. Established on the 24th of September, 2018, SUYAWI’s aim, among several others, is to support talents, breed creativity and provide room for contrivance as well as creativity among the youths & women and connecting them to professional mentors in the fields that they set out to pursue. The focus is on the Youths; since they form the majority of our demographic statistics and their latent potential, when tapped into can become a massive stream of productivity as well as economic development. The women, too, are a target group because of the pivotal role they play in society whose efforts, when rewarded, can bring forth a balance for economic transformation.

RebeccaNakiguli

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+256 755 435 415+256 770 860 172

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MRGcomposites (SUYAWI) Ltd

Chief Product Engineer

Bachelor‘s degree In Industrial Engineering and Management

Namanve.

sngabirano@mrgcomposites.com

We are involved in the manufacture of fibre rebars which are the latest innovation of f er i ng a cheaper alternative for steel ( iron) bars. We are well aware that iron ore being a mineral , is headed for depletion of the ore deposts and wetherefore set to create an alternative which is cheaper and yet stronger than ironbars. Our fibre rebars are 3 times stronger, 9 timeslighter, have double life yet 30% cheaper than ironbars. We seek to address SDG goal no. 9 by using our innovation to provide a cheaper alternative material to enhance infrastructure development.

NgabiranoSolomon

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+256 775 926 578

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Suphianah Investments Limited

Founder and Team Leader

Bachelors in Business Studies majoring in Accounting in 2016

Mukono

edsonzeb2012@gmail.com youthachieversforum@gmail.com

Suphianah Investments Ltd founded by Miss Nassali Hudah is a company focusing on producing teas that naturally optimize good health. Healthy people are more productive and are key for a country’s economic development and it’s from this view that suphianah investments came up with the idea of producing healthy spiced and herbal teas hence addressing SDG 3 which aspires to ensure health and well-being for all. Our objective is to support people’s well being with our comprehensive range of organic herbal and spiced tea blends designed to counteract the challenges of today’s delicacy for junk beverages and To improve the quality of life of citizens by offering nutritious and good quality organic tea produced in Uganda.

HudahNassali

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Phone:

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+256 700 167 601+256 777 017 981

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Stellah Tulips Jewelries

Chief Executive Officer

Degree in Bachelor of Environmental Science.

Makerere University, P.O.Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

stellahnu34@gmail.comt

The organization makes jewelleries out of waste basically to preserve the environment, for self-employment and self-sustenance. It also trains the youths in making jewellery through waste recycling and creates employment for fellow youths. It also aids the youths to be more creative and innovative thus bridging the unemployment gap.

Stella

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+256 780 572 960

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Kawempe multi-purpose

Procurement and logistics

Certificate Catering, bakery and Hotel Management

Kazo bwaise

sharifaz2014@mail.com

Kawempe multi-purpose We do Crafts, bakery, outside catering.

MbalireSusan

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TEXFAD LTD

Manager, Innovations and skills Training

Senior Secondary School.

Misindye, Sonde (opposite shell Misindye)

simontugumisirize2014@gmail.com

TEXFAD is an organization that promotes competence based non-formal hands-on skills training for job and wealth creation in Uganda. We transform individuals and communities from dependency to self-reliance through tailor-made skills training programs based on local community needs. TEXFAD operates a non-formal Skills Training Academy that is accredited by Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) as a centre for competence based assessment in line with Uganda Vocational Qualification Framework.

We extract banana fiber from waste stems and transform them into high quality products with high market value through skills training and business incubation support for job and wealth creation. TEXFAD operates a non-formal Skills Training Academy that is accredited by Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT). We also train how to extract and spin textile threads from raw cotton, pineapple leaves and wool from sheep for textile hand weaving.

TugumisirizeSimon

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Phone:

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+256 703 943 131

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Afyasoft.

Co-founder and CEO.

Biological Sciences and Telecommunications Engineering.

Haruna Towers, Bombo Rd, level 3.

lordimota@gmail.comimoter@afyasoft.com

We’re Afyasoft, we are a bridge between patients and hospitals/healthcare givers, we use technology to ameliorate healthcare access, to increase health awareness and to contribute in the resolution of healthcare problems, thus helping people live healthier and better lives. We are your healthcare partner.

TijahIgbazendaImoter

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Reform Africa

Founder and CEO

Mini MBA in Entrepreneurship

Mpigi, Uganda

awekofaith84@gmail.com

Reform Africa is a social enterprise that transforms plastic waste polythene bags into durable, sustainable and waterproof backpacks and accessories. With Uganda producing over 500 tons of plastic waste everyday and 51% of this is leftuncollected. We utilize this waste as a resource to come up with the backpacks and different accessories while providing employment to the marginalized youths and women

FaithAweko

+256 757 677 015+256 787 677 015

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+256 702 600 436+256 773 971 507

Female

Oshea Hooks and Purls

Founder / Sales and Marketing Manager

Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management

Mutungo Biina, Kampala

byekwatso@gmail.com

Oshea Hooks and Purls is a registered business operating in Uganda that has been running for a year now. • We identify and work with young skilled women to produce handmade neck warmers, Kitenge

jewelry and stuffed animals in our homes and market them online. • We mainly focus on using locally available materials and skills in order to promote Ugandan and

regional resource utilization for Pan African economic growth. This also enables us promote the pride of our African heritage to enable our products penetrate world markets.

• Currently there are 4 staff each assigned to each product line to facilitate specialization and promote high quality production. Finished items are inspected for quality control and delivered to the client by the founder who also double hats as the sales and marketing Manager.

• We plan to grow the business to supply worldwide and empower more young women economically through training and networking.

Byekwatso

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2019 Uganda SDG Youth Exhibitors Profiles

UNITED NATIONS DAY 2019

Theme; Youth for Sustainable Development Goals

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ANNEX

With a population of 40 million human beings and 8 million people of those living below the poverty line and below $1.25 on each day and those figures rising each year, Uganda is aimed at achieving the global need of sustainable human livelihoods by 2030 as projected. 2015 was a very important year for Uganda and the world at large, that was the year we marked the end of the Millennium Development Goals with some anticipated success stories and some disenchantments all around the world and Uganda as no exceptional.

As a country and the world, so much was left to be desired, the global community had to come up with a new thinking that would work as a blueprint for the world after the millennium development goals and in September 2015, at the UN general assembly 193 countries unanimously accepted the new development agenda that was called the Sustainable Development Goals to carry on until 2030. These were adopted at a time Uganda held presidency of the UN general Assembly. As a frontier, the country has held a commendable progress towards the goals attainment.

The SDGs are a set of 17 transformative universal goals by the United Nations that seek to guide international and national development by 2030. Among the goals is to end extreme poverty in all forms, end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all sustainable cities and communities among others. As a country and member of the global community, Uganda had a role to play in the development and adaptation of these goals and we equally have a role to play in achieving these goals at both national and international level. In a special way, 2019 as the UN commemorated its 74th year after formation as well as the 57th year since Uganda became the 110th member state of the UN. The UN in Uganda with their partners held a public SDGs exhibition on the UN day celebrations at the Kololo Independence grounds specially dedicated to young people. The day was celebrated under the theme; Youth for Sustainable development Goals and it was aimed at tapping into efforts from the public especially the youth through their innovations to aid government ministries, and other stakeholders in achieving the SDGs by the year 2030.

Forward

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The Innovative, inventive and ambitious works exhibited justify the relevance of not only having governments working independently towards development but also having population inclusion especially the youth who form the greatest percentage. Among the exhibits was online home sharing platform dormihomes.com for affordable, secure and convenient housing under SDG 11, local content online merchandising platform merchandiseuganda.com and local value addition company TEXFAD which is using banana fibers to make a range of household items, a not for-profit organisation Nyota Relief that is constructing affordable water filters to enable rural communities and schools get access to clean water, Gonse Packaging that is recycling paper to make paper cups among other youth led companies, organizations and firms. These and more innovations give us a glimmer of hope that Uganda is working towards sustainability in all aspects. As we celebrate the contributions of young people in championing the sustainable development goals, we cannot forget to make a mention of young women making an impact in that regard, young girls are breaking the chains of patriarchy and stereotypes of male domination and breaking through as champions of global issues, taking centre stage of things that matter to humanity, with no exception of the sustainable development goals. At the exhibition, we had more females showcase what they are doing to contribute to the sustainable development goals than males that in itself is an indicator that we are already on the right track for sustainability and achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. In 2018, Uganda, among its strides to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals launched an Agenda roadmap as aid in creating an enabling environment for the implementation of the SDGs 2030 agenda. Thus mainstreaming the goals into the second National Development Plan. Surprisingly not at the event, Ms. Rosa Malango the UN Resident Coordinator applauded Uganda for its great efforts towards achieving the agenda and emphasized its value to national development. The young people of this country are determined more than ever before to support government through its projects as well as the private sector to foster sustainable development.

For God and My Country Robert Ndyamuhaki Youth for SDGs Coordinator

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This survey was conducted to explore the experiences of all youth exhibitors who were directly involved in the activities of the exhibition on the UN Day at Kololo Independence grounds. Prior to the event, 34 youth entrepreneurs were expected to exhibit at the event however our survey found out that only 27 of the registered entrepreneurs were present in the exhibition area. After the UN exhibition, as youth who participated in the event embarked on a survey to understand the experiences all other exhibitors had at the event, the opportunities, challenges they encountered and the recommendations for future events. We did his by designing and sending out a google form to our sample space of 25 who participated at the exhibition as exhibitors. This sample cut across age, income, region and gender. Our total sample was 25 (n=25) and the Fielding dates were 1 November 2019 to 15th Nov, 2019. According to the survey, majority of the exhibitors had a gained at least from the exhibition either making a sale, acquiring new customers or having access to opportunities for growth, it was further found out that majority of the participants met their expectations they had had before the event. The survey concludes that with more resources invested and increased public interest, the exhibitions and other SDG related events of the future will have a stronger footprint on ventures and how business is done in this country. However it calls for continued commitment from the United Nations in Uganda, government of Uganda, the Private sector and the development partners, to make the 2030 agenda possible. As youth, we therefore recommended that those intending to be engaged in the exhibition activities should be involved and consulted where possible and that all activities requiring advance preparations, including planning and execution periods stipulated by the organizers, should be listed and allocated to such persons along with team leaders from the organizing committees. We advise that the UN should develop a centralized evaluation system to help exhibiting entreprises to monitor their level of success.

Executive Summary

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Uganda’s Sustainable Development Goals’ exhibition was the first of its kind in the sub Saharan. This was the epitome of the 2019 United Nations (UN) celebrations in Uganda. Largely, the UN, the Uganda Government and other Principal Partners made invaluable financial and in-kind contributions, without which this event would never have happened. The exhibition was evidence that the Ugandan government in partnership with other agencies believed that to have the 2030 agenda achieved, it must be through public inclusion especially involvement of the youth.

The UN Day 2019 as, “Youth Entrepreneurship for the Sustainable development Goals. In 2018 Uganda launched an Agenda roadmap as aid in creating an enabling environment for the implementation of the SDGs 2030 agenda. Thus mainstreaming the goals into the second National Development Plan. This added to the global ranking of Uganda as the first in the sub Saharan in trying to achieve the projected agenda, at 54.9. Far from the common institutional expos, exhibitions and fairs known to us like the taxpayers’ week, Bakiga Nation, Innovation week, October 24th, 2019 saw the Kololo independence grounds filled with public innovative, inventive and visional works that aim at assisting government agencies and the people of Uganda to achieve the 2030 Development Agenda.

However, this would have been fruitless without the tireless efforts in preparations by the organizers and exhibitors not to forget attendance of the rest of the public. We need not forget to talk about how 34 youth found themselves at the centre of attention on the momentous day. The Journey to the independence grounds started with an announcement from the UN SDGs coordination office calling for applications from young innovators to exhibit at ‘their day’. It is estimated that more than 200 applications were received by the coordination office and only 34 applicants managed to go through. The logic was that of the 34 selected youth innovators, two would be exhibiting under a given Sustainable Development Goal. The number of applications received is evidence that young people are not seated. It is an indicator that the commitment made by our government in 2015 at the UN General Assembly in NewYork city is coming live among Ugandans. The rich panel discussions were great to the attendees with passionate speakers whose contributions to this country have been enormous and as young people, we can bravely say that we made best use of their talents.

THE UN DAY STORY:

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The topics included discussions around the 4th Industrial Revolution and Innovations with conversations surrounding issues of climate change and its effects, recycling, renewable energy systems, education and use of local materials, among others. There are many outcomes from the day and a great deal was learned about for example harnessing technology to deliver service and quality products, challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the future of Technologies (Artificial Intelligence and internet of things) and how these technologies will disrupt the global economy. Enthusiastic knowledge towards productive and developmental innovations beyond not only individual but also national.

The day was summed with awards to the best exhibitors who were awarded with medals in celebration of their significant contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. The achievers were privileged to be invited to a state dinner hosted by His Excellency Y.K. Museveni the president of the Republic of Uganda alongside the UN Resident Coordinator, misters and Heads of Embassies and Consulates.

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Exhibitors

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Testimonials of the events.

1. “I was motivated to keep the innovation moving because it opens more opportunities. For me going to the State House was like heaven on earth. I need to be more creative to get such opportunities.”

2. “We made enough sales on the exhibition day, were given chance to share our innovative ideas to the youth which they can take up as source of employment, have received the Media House to publish my innovations Free of charge and finally got some connections at the dinner day which can help us for further development of our enterprise.”

3. “It was a moment of excitement when I received the email confirming our participation, this gave me and my colleagues the right motivation to do more and we believe with the right support system we can do better.”

4. “At least UN officers supported and bought our products. So we request our products be marketed to refugee camp and facilitation to obtain UNBS certification”

5. “We got some feedback back about the app that will be used to improve user experience. We also created collaborations with other people.”

6. “The Exhibition was the winner for me but the state dinner also offered me a platform to interact with the other dignitaries who were not available at the exhibition.”

7. “People gave in how the application can be modified to reach more people” 8. “It was a good opportunity to meet and network with other youth doing different things to

address the issues the country faces.” 9. “UN officers were my customers and if we can promote the product and skills to refugee camp

it’s welcome” 10. “It helped me to meet people I longed for to meet, and so I believe my paper cups will have

more market.” 11. “All the events especially the state dinner have been a great value addition to our publicity.

We also had a chance to connect with different entrepreneurs, sharing knowledge and also becoming friends. Also got a chance to meet potential partners, people who would love to support the initiative.”

12. “These who bought my products were officers from UN and if I get access to the refugee camp I will increase on the production.”

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Table of Contents.

Forward i Executive Summary iii THE UN DAY STORY ivExhibitors viTestimonials of the events vii Table of contents 31

Chapter One 32 1.0 Exhibition Participation 321.1 Bio-Data Participants 321.2 Economic Sector and SDGS 33

Chapter Two 36 2.0 Exhibition Experience 36 2.1 Allocated For Exhibition 36 2.2 Event Preparation Time 362.3 Exhibition area/ Lounge Rating 362.4 Ancillary services desired to see in the exhibitor lounge 38 2.5 Customer acquisition effectiveness 38 Stall visitor time preferences and stall visitor Numbers 393.0 Public relations 40

Chapter Three 41Implication, Recommendations and conclusion 413.1 Implications of the exhibition for future events 41 3.2 Recommendations 41 3.3 Conclusion 43

Chapter One1.0 Exhibition Participation 1.1 Bio-Data Participants This section presents demographic characteristics of respondents that include; gender age and level of education. Figure 1 shows that there were more Female innovators at the event than their male counterparts with females making 60% and males accounting for 40%. In the subsequent datasets, there is a persistent dominance in the number of females present at the exhibition. This reflects the fact that there has been women empowerment, as well as that the females make a larger composition of Uganda’s population and as such should always be participating in most socio-economic and political ventures on grounds of parity not equality.

Generally, the event had a fairly accurate impression of the youthful age categories of the exhibitors and from the Table 1, 10 (60%) of the exhibitors were in age category ranging between 18-23 years, followed by 6 (24%) who were in age range between 24-29 years, 4(16%) respondents were in age range between 30-34 years. majority of the innovators exhibiting at the event were still in their very youthful ages for example more than half of the respondents had not celebrated their 25th birthday by the 24th October (day of the exhibition). About the level of education, the exhibitors were also asked to report on their highest level of education completed at present. 70 percent of the respondents had completed their education at a tertiary institution of learning, 30 percent had completed Advanced Level secondary education and were either undertaking a course at a tertiary intuition of learning or awaiting admission at a tertiary institution of learning. There was a balance between females and males who have completed tertiary level education.

Figure 1 Proportion of female and male exhibitors

Table 1 Percentage of respondents’ ages

Attendence by Percentage

Males Females

Age Groups Frequency Percentage (%)

18-22 8 32

23-28 13 52

29-34 4 16

Total 25 100

40% 60%

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Fifty seven per cent of exhibitors interviewed have or are operating a business/entreprises in the industry sector of the economy. Health 13% came subsequently as the economic sector with the most exhibitors, followed by Agriculture at 7%. All other sectors of Housing, Construction, Trade, education had one representative each accounting for only 6% (Fig. 2). Patterns of sectoral differentiation indicated that most exhibitors were not aware of the sector in which their business/entreprises/company/organisation was operating in. however, No other differences in economic sectoral popularity were statistically significant for this report.

1.2 Economic Sector and SDGS

The participants occupied the sectors as follows;

Sustainable Development Goals Representation at the Exhibition

Education

Trade

Construction

Health

Agriculture

Housing

Industry

Figure 1 Proportion of female and male exhibitors

0.00%1 0.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00%

6%

6%

6%

13%

7%

6%

56%

SDG1 , 25.00 %

SDG2 , 5.00 %

SDG3 , 5.00 %

SDG4 , % 5.00 SDG5 , % 5.00

SDG9 , % 25.00

SDG10 , 5 %

SDG11 , 5 % SDG12 , % 5

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Our survey indicates that quite a significant number of SDGs were represented by different enterprises, companies and organizations at the exhibition showcasing different innovations contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and at least 70% of the SDGs were represented by one or more entreprises. SDGs (7, 13, 14, 16&17) were the only SDGs not represented at the exhibition. SDG 1 and 9 were the most represented with 10 companies, organizations and enterprises contributing to the attainment of these two goals, 5 between them accounting for 25%. No other SDG had more than one exhibitors displaying under it.

There were more female exhibitors than males at the exhibition (Figure1) and females mostly contributed to SDG3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages, and SDG 8 of Decent work and economic growth. SDG 1 of Poverty eradication was the most popular among male exhibitors.

We found that gender has no effect on perceptions of Sustainable Development Goals, perhaps because men and women enjoy the same benefits accrued from the efforts of achieving sustainable development goals. Concerning gender and innovations perceptions of Sustainable development goals, our results show that women are inclined to particular sustainable development Goals.

We did not collect data about SDGs from 6 (24%) of the exhibitors. and for those we interviewed we found that some innovators did not know the SDG(s) they were contributing to and or did not know about the Sustainable development goals at all.

We suggest that mass sensitization of the Sustainable Development Goals be conducted among young people in bid to create more awareness and guide perceptions on the inclusion of the sustainable agenda in our businesses/innovations.

Expectations of the exhibition

Asked whether their expectations were met majority of the exhibitors, (72%) of the 25 respondents reported that they had expectations met in a number of ways including acquisition of new knowledge, meeting potential buyers of the products, networking and meeting new people and partnerships with government and the private sector and 28% said their expectations were never met although not giving the extent to which the expectations were not met. some companies, for example, were unable to participate in the exhibition citing challenges of failure to get to the venue because they lacked transport, whereas another exhibitor did not exhibit at the event because they were not effectively informed of the program.

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However, the organizers overestimated the importance of exhibitors showcasing their products and services to clients, and underestimated the importance of exhibitors gaining more attention from the chief guest and other very important invited guests. To the exhibitors, it was more fulfilling for them to be recognised either individually or as a group of young innovators whose innovations are making impact towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

These findings suggest that if exhibitors were able to gain one on one contact with the very important persons present at the event it could have benefited them more in terms of gaining more exposure and express concerns related to the operations of their businesses, this could potentially benefit their entreprises in terms of financial support, consultation and guidance. Exhibitor expectations also suggest that the exhibitors wished to be given chance at the main auditorium to talk about what their companies in addition to facilitation, in terms of lunch/ breakfast and transport refund but these were never met.

And Despite the uncertainties that could have caused dissatisfaction among exhibitors, 20 (80%) of the exhibitors would most likely exhibit at another SDG event of the type.

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Chapter Two2.0 Exhibition Experience

2.1 Allocated For Exhibition

We asked the exhibitors about the time that was allocated for exhibiting and here is a representation of what they thought the time allocation should have been. There were 25 respondents and of those 14 (56%) agreed that the time for exhibition should be left the same i.e. running from 9:00Am to 4:00 Pm. however 10 (40%) respondents disagreed with the idea of having the time of exhibition maintained and they suggested it could be increased by two hours from 4:00 Pm to 6:00 Pm Local time, on the other hand, only one (4%) respondent felt that the time allocated to the exhibition was more than required and therefore should be reduced.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

4%

40%

56%

Should be decreased

Should be increased

Should be left the same

2.2 Event Preparation Time

Here, we asked the exhibitors whether they had been given enough time to prepare for the events and at the same time we asked how much time they would have desired to be given to prepare for the events. From the 16 respondents 9 (56%) agreed that they had been given enough time to prepare for the exhibition and 7 respondents (44%) disagreed that the less than one week (6 days) preparation time was not enough for them to have their art put together for a colorful exhibition citing issues of financial limitations to cater for cost of the exhibition and as a matter of fact, there were entreprises/organizations/companies that did not participate in the exhibition due to such issues.

On the other hand we found out that 80% of the exhibitors would have wished to have a three week out preparation time to the exhibition, more to that 20% wish they were informed five weeks to the event for proper preparation.

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Figure 4a and 4b time allowed to prepare for the event following an open-ended question, where exhibitors were asked to state whether they had been allowed enough time to prepare for the exhibition or not. And majority agreed that they had been given enough time to prepare for the events.

2.3 Exhibition area/ Lounge Rating

We asked the exhibitors to rate the rate the exhibition area/lounge considering the services that were made available to them by the organizers. From [Figure 5] (n=25) Fifty six percent of the respondents ranked their exhibition areas as good enough followed by Thirty two percent ranked the exhibition lounge as excellent and twelve percent ranked the area as average. We did not consider the services made available by the exhibitors themselves to the exhibition areas which included television sets, internet, food and beverages.

56 %

44 %

Yes No

80 %

20 %

3 Weeks Out 5 Weeks Out

Time allocated to prepare for the event versus desired preparationtime for the exhibition

Exhibition area/lounge Rater

53 % 37 %

10 %

Good Excellent Average

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Popularity of ancillary services among exhibitors

Media Interview Area

0%

80%

40%20%

100%

60%

FacilitationInternet

2.4 Ancillary services desired to see in the exhibitor lounge

Figure 7 Percentage of respondents showing the ancillary services they would have wished to find/have in their exhibition lounges to facilitate their exhibition work (respondents were able to agree on more than one service, so column do not total 100%, each column is a standalone)

From figure 7 Media interview area was the most popular ancillary service desired, followed by facilitation (food and transport), internet (Wi-Fi) and Room for conversations and debates (Fig. 6). Internet was more popular among exhibitors of tech related products and services than those exhibiting other products and services for example food supplements, whereas facilitation came second in popularity it was popular among all other exhibitors on average. There was some interest among exhibitors in having a room (space) for conversations and debates amongst themselves with a view of sharing views, opinions and experiences of their entrepreneurial journeys making 53% of the responses

2.5 Customer acquisition effectiveness

Following an open-ended question, where exhibitors were asked to state whether they met a sufficient number of buyer for their products and services exhibited (both timey and potential).

Coming to the exhibition, the exhibitors were set to make sales or find a potential customer base for their goods and services when asked whether they met a sufficient number of customers for their good and services at the event. Seventy six % of the exhibitors indicated that they did not meet a sufficient number of buyers for their goods and services, however twenty four percent of the exhibitors were able to meet a sufficient number of buyers.Although we did not establish whether these were immediate buyers or potential buyers.

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Stall visitor time preferences and stall visitor Numbers

Fifty eight per cent of the exhibitors interviewed had received more stall visitors after the protocol session (the time after the speeches and presentations), 38% during the protocol session and 4% before the protocol session (Fig. 8a). 14 (56%) exhibitors received stall visitors in the range of 21-40 and were the most, each receiving 30 visitors on average. three exhibitors received stall visitors in the range of 41-60 visitors and three others received stall visitors above 60 indicating an average of 65 between them and one exhibitor received less than 20 stall visitors whereas four exhibitors did not collect visitor data.

Figure 6 customer acquisition Effectiveness of the exhibition

Met sufficient number of buyers

24 %

76 %

Yes No

58 %

Before the Protocol session During the Protocol

r the protocol Session

6 %

56 % 19 %

19 %

Less than 20 Between 21-40

Between 41-60 Above 60

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3.0 Public relations

Advertising and press work conducted by the organizers

While preparations for attracting and inviting visitors did not come as early as they should have been, Patterns of stall visitors suggest that much more should have been done to create awareness of the event to the general public. In finding out the efficiency of the means used by the organizers to reach out to the applicants and later exhibitors at the event, we asked the exhibitors the medium via which they had earnt about the event and 56% had learnt about the event via social media whereas 32% had learnt about the opportunity through a friend or family member and the other 12% learnt about the opportunity via other media which they did not specify. similarly, there were very divergent views from the exhibitors when asked about whether they thought the event was given enough publicity for the public to know about it 64% of the respondents indicated that no so much effort was made to make the event known to the general public and many claim it could be the reason they did not receive a significant number of stall visitors and the general turn up to the event.

The protagonists of this view also assert that the day of the week on which the event was held could have been the reason for the low turn-up, the day(Thursday) of the week was a working day and not so many would make it to the event before working hours since it still too early, during working hours when they are on duty or after working hours when most working class people (potential buyers) are rushing home or to schools to pick up school going children, it becomes challenging then. The suggestion would be to have the event held over the weekend when majority of people are not reporting to their work stations.

Follow up and analysis of stand visitor data.

We found that perceptions of follow-up and stall-visitor data analysis were generally positive among exhibitors and they [exhibitors] (100%) would consider follow-up and evaluation as important for their companies/organizations/entreprises. evidently 94% of the respondents collected data from the stand visitors using visitors’ books (67%), 32% used conversation notes and only 1% used other tools that were categorized as others and the 6% that did not collect visitor data attributed it to the lack of data collection tools. in reality, all exhibitors ought to have collected visitor data for purposes of follow up and analysis of performance and eventually inform the organizers and participants on the effectiveness of the events, that was impossible for there was no generally accepted data collection tool that would generate unvarying results. We suggest that event organizers find a way of providing uniform data collection tools to all exhibitors at the exhibition along with other prerequisites for exhibition.

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Chapter ThreeImplication, Recommendations and conclusion

3.1 Implications of the exhibition for future events

Our findings point to the fact that it will be beneficial for future event organizers to offer a representative overview of the products and services being exhibited by the youth and where possible should attract all the leading market players from the private sector, government and development partners to foster partnerships, attract investment and market penetration opportunities as well as access to seed funding, especially from UN agencies.

3.2 Recommendations

Based on our findings, we recommend the following:

Exhibition area allocation

Our survey suggests that there is considerable interest in specialist exhibitions spaces. From the exhibitors’ point of view, the stall allocation criterion and Arrangement should be done in accordance to the SDGs each entreprises/company/organisation is contributing to or the economic sector under which they operate. Their nomenclatures clearly define the products and goods they may exhibit, while excluding all other products that may not match the theme of the event.

These nomenclatures can be generally sorted according to so many other things Such as technical features of the goods on display and according to individual product categories as well as those catering for specific industries and special interest groups, manufacturing sectors or consumer groups or on certain types of services. This helps to strengthen the youth groups and enables them to know more about each other’s businesses and can enable them to seek support collectively, grow together and support each other in terms of human resource, idea and knowledge sharing. Involvement from inception.

The exhibitors suggest that those intending to be engaged in the exhibition activities should be involved and consulted where possible and that all activities requiring advance preparations, including planning and execution periods stipulated by the organizers, should be listed and allocated to such persons along with team leaders from the organizing committees. The schedule should contain every relevant aspect that needs to be observed to ensure sound preparations for the exhibition.

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Follow-up analysis

We considered this as an important aspect that the UN can consider in the future to help future exhibitors and participants at events of this level, for we understood during the surveys that most entreprises would actually be willing to follow-up analysis as an essential tool for monitoring an enterprise’s level of success at the exhibition. in a way the organizers of these events should provide tools to be used by participants to collect visitor data and then follow up to inform the effectiveness of the event on the entreprises because in the end, an enterprise may have to approach a customer five to seven times before doing business with him or her.

In a similar notion, we can agree that a thorough follow-up analysis helps to determine whether a company has achieved its pre-set exhibition expectations and objectives by systematically evaluating the visitor data filed on forms a company can follow up events at the exhibition monitor its level of success. In our survey, we found out that 70 % of the participants did not collect data and neither were their objectives met.

There are many tools that can be developed by the UN to enable the exhibitors obtain visitor data and follow up after the event. For example one can also give customers the option of making appointments over the internet. The invitation can take up any current motif used in advertising your products appearing again on your stand. A brochure can highlight the design of your stand or any activities taking place. A ready-made reply card or e-mail makes it easy for customers to make an appointment.

Follow up on t progress of the exhibitors’’ projects.

The UN can make it a priority to visit the offices or operation spaces of these young entrepreneurs so that they [UN in Uganda] get to know more about the initiatives and innovations the young people are engaged in, so that they know exactly how they can be of help to such innovators and make significant contributions to their growth.

Exhibitor and visitor surveys and Evaluation

The exhibitors suggested that the organizers (UN) may develop a centralized evaluation system to help exhibiting entreprises to monitor their level of success, which is of fundamental importance. This centralized evaluation procedure should mainly take place at stalls of exhibitors covering visitors to the stall. In the survey conducted leading to this report we learnt that not many exhibitors were able to collect data on how many visitors attended their stalls along with their contact and address information. In the future, the UN can provide data sheets and conversation notes that enable exhibitors obtain that information and visitor attendance figures. The purpose of Visitor attendance figures is to indicate the level of attention the relevant products and services, exhibitors attract and they provide a better picture of the quality of an event.It is also important that the UN release exhibition visitor breakdowns using data collected by the

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exhibitors or an independent organisation can be brought on board to do the exercise. Provided these surveys are conducted in accordance with local or international standards they can be published and help guide future events and the exhibitors themselves.

Facilitation

Advertising and press work conducted by the UN in Uganda

From the survey we learnt that the UN organizing committee did not do well in the field of public relations and advertisement and 64% of the exhibitors felt that the event was not given enough publicity and could have been one of the factors that contributed to low stall visitor turn-up.

In that regard, we suggest that prior to the event, advertisements are placed in/on every relevant media from social media to traditional media such as daily

newspapers, magazine and television. Also In the run-up to the event the UN and Partners should supply the media with information on services, innovations, and the themes as well as sending invitations to daily newspapers, the editors of business publications and the local press as well as to radio and television broadcasters thereby ensuring that visitors will attend. We suggest these strategies are undertaken by organizers with an aim of achieving the widest possible response from the public.

3.3 Conclusion

Uganda has many outstanding young entrepreneurs/innovators/business people whose work is not as widely known or promoted as it should be. in that regard we applaud the UN for coming up and leading the way in recognizing young people as great contributors to the global goals and the exhibition shone a light on some of what young people can do when given the opportunity to give their best.The key message in this report is that an exhibition is not just a mechanism for entrepreneurs’ dissemination of new ideas to the public but is a means for developing the necessary conversations and consensus between or among key industry actors, not-for-profit and government stakeholders in achieving the SDGs. and as youth, we believe that events like this one will help not only the innovators test strategies and ideas but also extend beyond to include a range of other strategies of management, financing and resource mobilizations, Implementation partnerships across the private and government sectors to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

With these levels of interest, more resources invested and the application of the recommendations made, the exhibitions and other SDG related events of the future will have a stronger footprint on ventures and how business is done in this country. Indeed, it seems likely that with continued commitment from the United Nations in Uganda, government of Uganda, the Public sector and the development partners, agenda 2030 is possible.

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G ALSDEVELOPMENTSUSTAINABLE

G ALSDEVELOPMENTSUSTAINABLE

UGANDA

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UGANDA

UN Resident Coordinator’s OfficePlot 11, Yusuf Lule Road, Kampala Tel: +256 417 112 100 Email: un.uganda@one.un.org website: http://ug.one.org

UNUganda

UNUgandaUNinUganda