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Ugandan developer coding live at the Digital Solutions Expo
Digital Solutions Expo · Kampala 2026

Women in Tech
Build Fest 2026

A 3-hour live rapid prototyping arena demonstrating the technical power of Ugandan tech talent at the Digital Solutions Expo.

90% Women-Led Innovation PWD Inclusive
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180+
Community Members
3 hrs
Live Build Window
4
Sector Tracks
90%
Women-Led Teams
Scan & register QR code to register
Scan to register your Team
Developers collaborating at the Expo
Tech Community
Builders. Operators. Engineers.
The Format

A time-bound innovation segment inside the Expo.

Buildfest is the high-intensity coding showcase within the Digital Solutions Expo 2026. Industry sponsors release sector briefs ahead of the event, giving teams a focused window to research and plan — but not to write code beforehand.

On the day, teams have exactly 3 hours to code a functional MVP live on the Expo floor, watched by sponsors, delegates, and a Technical Panel. It's discipline, speed, and craft — measured in real time.

Judging Criteria
  • 01
    Problem Relevance
    Sharpness of fit to the sector brief.
  • 02
    Technical Execution
    Code quality, architecture, working MVP.
  • 03
    Usability
    Clarity, accessibility, end-user experience.
  • 04
    Innovation
    Originality of approach and insight.
Sector Tracks

Four tracks. One Uganda.

Sponsored sector briefs aligned to the country's most consequential growth engines.

AgriTech

AgriTech

  • Farmer access platforms
  • Market linkages
  • Logistics & supply chain
Real gorilla photo for TourismTech

TourismTech

  • Discovery platforms
  • Booking systems
  • Smart tourism AR/VR
Real windmill photo for EnergyTech

EnergyTech

  • Data systems
  • Workforce management
  • Compliance tooling
Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital Public Infrastructure

  • Payments rails
  • Identity-linked services
  • Open data systems
Challenge Flow

From brief to demo.

Step 01
2 Weeks Prior

Registrations

Teams sign up, confirm participation, and secure their place in the challenge.

Step 02
Preparation & Learning

Sector Deep-Dives

Teams join Human-Centered Design training and sector deep-dives to prepare for the challenge.

Step 03
3 Hours Live

Build Phase

Live rapid development on the Expo floor with mentor support.

Step 04
Final Round

Demo & Pitch

Live solution walkthrough to the Technical Panel and sponsors.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Who can participate?
Individuals or teams of up to 5 from the broader tech community. Female-led teams and participants with disabilities are strongly encouraged to join.
Can we write code beforehand?
No. Pre-event preparation is limited to research and architecture sketches. All code must be written live during the 3-hour build window at the Expo.
What tech stack can we use?
Any stack — choose what makes your team fastest. Bring your own laptops, accounts, and any open-source libraries.
How are sponsors involved?
Sector sponsors define the briefs, mentor teams during the build, and join the Technical Panel for final demos.
Is there a prize?
Yes — cash prizes, sponsor opportunities, and direct talent placement pathways for top teams.
Applications Open

Build live. On the floor. In front of Uganda.

Submit your team for the 2026 Coding Challenge Series. Spots are limited and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Register Your Team
QR code to register
Or scan to open the registration form

Open to registered participants · Female-led teams encouraged · Participants with disabilities welcome