15 outstanding agritech innovations awarded sh222 million
The awards followed a competition that attracted over 100 applications showcasing a wide range of innovations.
The overall winner, Aaron Etyang, founder of The Grain Guard, received sh50 million to further grow his agribusiness. (Courtesy photos)
By Prossy Nandudu
Journalists @New Vision
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Fifteen young Ugandan innovators of agricultural technologies have been awarded sh222 million by Heifer International, with support from Mastercard Foundation.
The awards followed a competition that attracted over 100 applications showcasing a wide range of innovations.
The first runner-up, Frank Magezia, co-founder of Afri Milk Check, a technology that allows farmers to check the quality of milk on site, took home sh30 million. The overall winner, Aaron Etyang, founder of The Grain Guard, received sh50 million to further grow his agribusiness.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, William Matovu, country director for Heifer International, explained that while the Gala Awards celebrate excellence, the Challenge is not just a competition but a launchpad for bold ideas that can grow into businesses creating jobs, transforming food systems, and uplifting communities.
“This initiative encourages innovative ideas and businesses, connecting them with finance, business development services, and other transformative resources. We invite partners to join us in supporting this vital vehicle for change,” he said.
The first runner-up, Frank Magezia, co-founder of Afri Milk Check, a technology that allows farmers to check the quality of milk on site, took home sh30 million.
He clarified that the true prize is not the cheque. It is the platform, the mentorship, and the network of partners ready to support young agripreneurs.
“Because agriculture is too important to leave to chance. It is the foundation of our economy and the livelihood of millions. It is the space where youth can bring to life ideas that better this agri-food sector, hence the need to take bold action to catalyse sector growth,” he added.
At the awarding ceremony at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on September 9, 2025, Apollo Segawa, director of CURAD, an incubation centre that nurtures youth ideas into businesses, said that bringing an agribusiness track into AYuTe closes the gap between bright ideas and bankable enterprises.
“Through incubation, mentorship and market access, CURAD helps young founders de-risk, formalise and scale ventures across the value chain—from inputs and aggregation to processing and export. This partnership with Heifer ensures more youth move from prototypes to profitable, job-creating businesses that power Uganda’s agro-industrialisation,” Segawa said.
Since its inception in 2022, the AYuTe Africa Challenge has supported young innovators and entrepreneurs transforming agriculture through technology and enterprise. In Uganda, the challenge serves as a platform to showcase, support, and scale youth-driven solutions that reimagine agriculture and create sustainable growth opportunities.
Officiating at the event, youth and children affairs state minister Balaam Barugahara said that initiatives from Heifer International Uganda, CURAD, and development partners like Mastercard Foundation align with government programmes, creating jobs for youth.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of employment, engaging about two-thirds of our workforce, and a pillar of GDP and exports. If we are serious about creating jobs for our young population, serious about foreign exchange, and serious about resilience to climate volatility, then modern agriculture, driven by data and oriented towards exports, must be our leading sectoral bet,” he said.
Barugahara noted that with 22.7% of Uganda’s population aged 18 to 30 and more than seven in ten Ugandans under 30, there is a need to convert youthful energy into meaningful enterprises.
“We must strive for a productive population throughout the entire agriculture value chain. Platforms like AYuTe Africa Challenge support grassroots efforts at scale and help youth convert potential into productivity in schools, universities, and out-of-school settings by pairing capital with youthful exuberance and connecting innovators to formal local and regional markets,” he added.
Winners
Aaron Etyang – Grain storage and monitoring solutions
Frank R. Magezi – Afri Milk Check ensuring quality and safety of milk
Namwaya Emilly – Solar Smart Irrigation System to cope with drought
Namutebi Muniirah – Automated water flow control device for gardens
Joyce Mary Nanzala – Device to monitor fish pond water quality and temperature
Hakimu Kabalayo – Ndiko Juice processing
Zura Nakitende – Hicu Group of Companies producing Hicu juice
Others include innovators across various agritech sectors