CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR AN IMPLEMENTING TECHNICAL PARTNER TO ORGANISE THE UCC COMMUNICATIONS TESTBED HACKATHON 2026

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is mandated under Section 5(1)(l) of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 to promote research into the development and use of new communications techniques and technologies, including those which promote accessibility of persons with disability and other members of society to communications services.

In line with this mandate, in November 2024, the UCC established the National Communications Testbed for Emerging & Future Technologies at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICIT), Nakawa. It provides researchers, innovators, academia, and industry players with access to advanced technologies and platforms for development, testing and validating new ideas in real-world network conditions.

UCC is seeking to collaborate with an experienced implementing technical partner to organise and execute a Hackathon at the Testbed, with the inaugural edition focusing on Child Online Protection (COP). Child Online Protection remains an urgent national priority in Uganda. Despite rapid digital growth and increasing internet access among children, approximately 40% of Ugandan children aged 12–17 who use the internet have experienced online exploitation, including unwanted sexual requests and threats, while awareness, reporting mechanisms, and protective safeguards remain critically low. Through this Call for Proposals, the UCC seeks innovative solutions that address these critical challenges and strengthen child online protection in Uganda.

The implementing technical partner will be responsible for the organisation and execution of a two-day Hackathon, including participant recruitment and selection, technical coordination, mentorship facilitation, judging arrangements, logistics management, and post-event reporting.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit applications that include: A Technical Proposal and A Financial Proposal, both prepared in strict conformity with the attached Terms of Reference: https://www.ucc.co.ug/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TERMS-OF-REFERENCE-FOR-AN-IMPLEMENTING-TECHNICAL-PARTNER-TO-ORGANISE-THE-UCC-TESTBED-HACKATHON-2026.pdf

Submission Details

Applicants are to submit their applications that MUST include technical and financial proposals. Deadline for applications is 5.00PM on Tuesday 26th May 2026 in conformity with attached Terms of Reference. Submissions in PDF should be emailed to researchucc.co.ug and a copy to registryucc.co.ug.