UCC Reopens Door for Uganda’s Tech Innovators as National E-Booster Phase III Gets New Call
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has renewed its invitation for organisations to submit project proposals under Phase III of the National E-Booster Programme, creating another opportunity for locally developed ICT innovations to receive support and move closer to wider market adoption.
The initiative is being implemented through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), which promotes wider access to communication services and technology while supporting programmes that use digital innovation to contribute to Uganda’s social and economic development.UCC says the latest phase is part of the country’s wider digital transformation agenda and is consistent with Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan and the Digital Transformation Roadmap covering 2023/24 to 2027/28. The programme is intended to strengthen the local technology ecosystem and encourage solutions designed around Uganda’s own development needs.The National E-Booster Programme focuses on identifying ICT innovations with the potential to respond to important challenges in service delivery and socio-economic development.
The programme is also designed to help promising innovators turn their ideas and products into more sustainable ventures capable of creating employment and supporting enterprise growth.Under the new phase, the organisation selected to implement the programme will be required to establish an open and competitive system for identifying high-potential ICT innovations. Successful innovators are expected to benefit from a range of support, including mentorship, incubation, technical assistance, business development, product testing and validation, commercialisation guidance and connections to markets and investment opportunities.
The implementing partner will also be expected to create platforms where innovators can showcase their work and engage with potential partners, investors and other stakeholders. In addition, the programme will involve assessing Uganda’s ICT innovation ecosystem while strengthening knowledge management and documentation around the supported innovations.Applications for the programme opened on September 28, 2026, and will remain open until October 12, 2026, with submissions required by 12:00pm on the closing date. UCC has scheduled a virtual pre-grant application meeting for October 2, 2026, at 10:00am to provide guidance to prospective applicants.
