Post COVID-19 App challenge launched

Uganda's youth have been invited to participate in the COVID-19 Quarantine Time Mobile App Innovations Challenge.

Pixan Inc, a Ugandan technology, content production and distribution company and Bold Cashers Limited have launched the contest.

The two tech companies are using the challenge to facilitate technologically innovative Ugandans during this time when they are self-quarantining to come up with digital solutions that will help Ugandans recover from the economic distraught the pandemic has put them into.

Ugandans and non-Ugandan tech innovators and developers residing in Uganda under the age of 30 years are encouraged to submit their written proposals and concept papers for consideration.

Submission of these ideas commences on 1st April and closes 10th May, 2020. The challenge is looking at finding digital solutions that will ease the lives of Ugandans during and after this pandemic. 

Edgar Ofoyuru, the managing director of Pixan Inc. said the challenge is looking at finding solutions in four categories namely; agriculture, healthcare, education and finance.

The winners will bag a total sum of $2, 000. The winner for each category gets $500. The four categories are agriculture, finance, healthcare and education. They will get mentorship and their app installed in the Pixan phones.

Some of the participating apps that will not emerge winners but are potentially good will also be considered for pre-installation in the Pixan mobile phones.

"We are calling on young minds who are now observing self-quarantine to use their time and ICT skills to come up with digital solutions to life's challenges during and after COVID-19," Ofoyuru said.

"These ideas must be new and developed in the next 40 days. Participation is free so long as your idea is tenable. We will help and guide selected people with their project development," he added.

Pixan Inc. through its Pixan Developers Circle, a community of technology innovators, and Pixan Mobile for Inclusive Development (PM4ID) project strives to find ways of using their mobile platform to solve or respond to local problems and challenges.

You can submit your mobile app project idea for consideration by sending the concept to email covid19qc@pixaninc.com and through the Cash Chat mobile app using number +254745133259 or call +256773867884 for details.

Pixan Inc. regularly works with young developers on some of its Research and Development projects and products development projects. Pixan Inc. designs and manufactures mobile phones, earphones, phone chargers and power banks among other innovations in the tech sector like software development. 

Asher Namanya, the chief executive officer of Bold Cashers Limited said that the challenge presents them with an opportunity to offer solutions that are sustainable.

"As a financial technology business, we understand the catastrophic magnitude this pandemic is having on humanity and Ugandans in particular. This also means that we understand the need for us to participate in providing solutions that guarantee that life continues as scientists work on finding a vaccine," Namanya noted.

"This challenge should help us and the young developers use their skills and artistry to contribute to humanity by coming up with digital solutions. We want the innovators to come up with solutions that help users of their mobile apps go through an economic recovery effortlessly," Namanya said.

The deadline for receiving application is 25th April 2020. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges.