Heifer International Launches AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda Season 5 in Jinja

Heifer International Uganda has launched Season 5 of the AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda, reaffirming its commitment to supporting young innovators to develop technology-driven solutions aimed at transforming agriculture and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

The launch, held in Jinja under the theme “Go Big. Go Bold.”, brought together government officials, development partners, innovators, academia, and private sector players, marking the official opening of applications for the 2026 competition.

This year’s challenge will run under two tracks — the National Agritech Innovation Track and the Busoga Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Track — both designed to provide funding, mentorship, and business development support to youth-led enterprises with scalable agricultural solutions.

Representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Commissioner for Agricultural Extension and Skills Management Consolate Acayo said the initiative is timely in addressing the growing need for practical solutions in Uganda’s agricultural sector.

“Innovation remains central to the future of agriculture in Uganda. Platforms such as AYuTe provide young people with an opportunity to develop solutions that not only improve productivity but also create jobs and enhance food security,” Acayo said.

Heifer International Uganda Country Director William Matovu said the organisation is focused on nurturing a new generation of agritech entrepreneurs capable of driving sustainable transformation in the sector.

“AYuTe is about unlocking the potential of young people to build enterprises that address challenges faced by smallholder farmers while leveraging innovation to transform agriculture,” Matovu said.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge is part of broader efforts to promote youth-led innovation in addressing persistent bottlenecks in agriculture, including low productivity, limited market access, and climate-related shocks.

Youth entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 years are encouraged to apply for the competition, which offers catalytic funding, mentorship, and business acceleration support. Participants will be expected to develop scalable solutions that can improve efficiency and resilience across agricultural value chains.

Heifer International Uganda says the initiative also seeks to bridge the gap between technology and agriculture while creating employment opportunities for young people and enhancing the resilience of farming communities.

The launch of Season 5 comes at a time when Uganda is increasingly looking to innovation and private sector participation to drive agricultural growth and ensure long-term food security.

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