Introduction

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), is mandated to promote universal access to communications services and technologies and to support initiatives that advance digital inclusion, innovation and socioeconomic development.

In line with Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the Digital Transformation Roadmap 2023/24–2027/28 and the UCUSAF IV Strategic Plan 2023/24–2027/28, UCC continues to implement programmes that strengthen Uganda's digital ecosystem through innovation, entrepreneurship and the meaningful adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

One of these flagship interventions is the National e-Booster Programme, which was established to identify, nurture and support locally developed ICT innovations that respond to national development challenges while creating opportunities for enterprise growth, employment and digital transformation. Building on the achievements and lessons of Cohorts I and II, UCC intends to implement Phase III of the Programme to further strengthen Uganda's innovation ecosystem and prepare high-potential ICT solutions for future deployment and scale.

Accordingly, UCC invites proposals from eligible organisations or consortia to implement Phase III of the National e-Booster Programme during FY 2026/27. The successful partner will deliver an integrated programme comprising innovation acceleration, a national assessment of Uganda's ICT innovation ecosystem and documentation and dissemination of knowledge generated through previous e-Booster interventions.

Through this competitive partnership, UCC seeks to strengthen the capacity of Uganda's ICT innovation ecosystem, improve the evidence base for policy and investment decisions, preserve programme knowledge, and enhance the contribution of locally developed digital solutions to inclusive and sustainable national development.

General Objective

To support the development and scaling of locally developed ICT solutions that address socioeconomic challenges, improve service delivery and create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in underserved and unserved communities. The programme will also assess Uganda's ICT innovation landscape and document and share experiences from the e-Booster Programme to strengthen learning and inform policy, investment and future programming.

Project Actions

The selected implementing partner shall undertake the following key actions:

1. Design and implement a transparent and competitive process for identifying and selecting high-potential ICT innovations.
2. Provide innovation acceleration services, including mentorship, incubation, technical and business development support, product validation, commercialisation support, and market and investment linkages.
3. Organise innovation showcases and stakeholder engagement activities to promote collaboration, investment, partnerships and adoption of supported ICT solutions.

Target Areas

The National e-Booster Programme will support interventions that strengthen Uganda's digital innovation ecosystem through three complementary components: ICT innovation acceleration, a national assessment of Uganda's ICT innovation landscape, and knowledge management and learning.

The Programme will prioritise ICT-enabled solutions and initiatives that address national development priorities and contribute to improved service delivery, digital inclusion, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable socioeconomic development across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, financial inclusion, tourism, transport, energy, governance, environment and community development.

All interventions shall align with Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the Digital Transformation Roadmap 2023/24–2027/28, the Parish Development Model (PDM), the UCUSAF IV Strategic Plan and other relevant national development frameworks, with particular emphasis on creating sustainable impact in underserved and unserved communities.

Eligibility of applicants

Applicants shall meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

1. The applicant shall be a legally registered entity in Uganda. Where the application is submitted by a consortium, the lead applicant must be a not-for-profit organisation.
2. The Applicant (Both Lead and co-applicant in case of a consortium) shall be legally registered entities in Uganda. The applicant organization (in case of consortia, both Lead and co-applicant organisation) will assume overall responsibility and sign a Grant Agreement with UCC to enforce joint accountability of action.
3. The Applicant (Both Lead and co-applicant in case of a consortium) must be in satisfactory financial health and have adequate structures and systems to manage the project and report to the UCUSAF as shall be required.
4. The applicant (Both Lead and co-applicant in case of a consortium) shall demonstrate at least two (2) years' experience in implementing programmes related to innovation management, business incubation, business acceleration, entrepreneurship development, digital innovation, technology commercialisation, ICT ecosystem development or related fields.
5. The Applicant (Lead Applicant or consortium) shall demonstrate proven experience across the three components of the assignment, namely:
   i. ICT innovation support through incubation, acceleration, mentorship, grant management or business development services;
   ii. conducting national or large-scale research, mapping or assessments of innovation or digital ecosystems, and
   iii. knowledge management, including the development of case studies, publications and dissemination of programme learning.

In the case of a consortium, the combined experience of the Lead Applicant and Co-applicants shall collectively satisfy these requirements.

6. The Applicant (Lead Applicant and Co-applicant(s), in the case of a consortium) shall demonstrate experience in working collaboratively with government institutions, academia, research institutions, development partners, the private sector, investors, innovation hubs and other ecosystem stakeholders in implementing programmes related to ICT innovation and entrepreneurship, national research and assessments and knowledge management and dissemination.
7. The Applicant (Lead Applicant and Co-applicant(s), in the case of a consortium) shall demonstrate proven capacity and experience in conducting research and assessments, developing knowledge products and publications, documenting programme experiences and case studies and disseminating evidence, lessons learned and best practices from ICT innovation, digital transformation or related development programmes.
8. The applicant (Both Lead and co-applicant in case of a consortium) shall demonstrate sound financial management systems and experience in managing grant-funded programmes, including compliance, accountability, monitoring and reporting.
9. The applicant (Both Lead and co-applicant in case of a consortium) shall demonstrate the ability to leverage strategic partnerships, mobilise additional resources and promote the sustainability and scaling of supported innovations beyond the grant period.

Application Timeline
The grant application is open from 11th - 24th August 2026.
A Pre - grant Application meeting will be held on-line on 18th August 2026 at 10.00am. The meeting link is below.
Meeting link: https://teams.microsoft.com/
meet/3141482996615712?m=MgNuXN3fsgZxHzr06f

Detailed statement of requirements: https://www.ucc.co.ug/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CALL-FOR-PROJECT-PROPOSALS-FOR-IMPLEMENTATION-OF-PHASE-III-OF-THE-NATIONAL-E-BOOSTER-PROGRAMME.pdf

Applications must be submitted through the grant application portal at https://eservices.ucc.co.ug/web by 5:00 pm on 24th August 2026.
For inquiries, contact:
Tel: +256 412 339000/+256 312 339000
Email: uccusaf@ucc.co.ug