Uganda, like many other developing nations, is striving to build a robust innovation ecosystem to drive economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and address societal challenges.

However, the progress of Uganda’s innovation landscape is confronted by a number of policy challenges that demand strategic attention and comprehensive solutions.

The formulation and implementation of selective policies plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of innovation-driven development.

Key policy challenges continue to hinder the growth of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. Against this background, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Uganda and StartHub Africa started a new initiative to nurture young and emerging policymakers who can champion the growth of Uganda’s innovation sector.

This fellowship aims to empower young policymakers with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to craft and implement innovative startup policies.

By engaging young minds in the policymaking process, we aim to infuse fresh perspectives, agility, and an understanding of contemporary challenges into Uganda’s innovation policy landscape, to shape a future where innovation is not just a buzzword but a driving force for sustainable development in Uganda.

Overall Objectives of the Y4P Innovation Fellowship

Capacity Building: Enhance the skills and knowledge of young policymakers in the field of innovation policy, formulation and implementation.

Research and Analysis: Equip Y4P fellows with the tools to conduct research and analyze the current state of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.

Collaboration: Foster collaboration among fellows, policymakers, industry experts, and academia to create a network for knowledge exchange.

Youth Inclusivity: Ensure that policy recommendations developed through the fellowship address the specific needs and aspirations of Uganda’s youth, recognizing them as key drivers of innovation.

Policy Innovation: Encourage Y4P Fellows to develop innovative policy solutions that respond to the dynamic challenges faced by Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.