The West Nile Innovation Hub (WNIH), under the REFOOTURE Project, has officially announced the 16 shortlisted candidates for its Arilo Innovation Challenge Bootcamp. The initiative aims to identify, train, and accelerate homegrown agricultural solutions that address the Arilo's most pressing food system challenges.
While the call for applications primarily targeted Arilo Subcounty in Yumbe District, the hub welcomed and considered applicants from across the entire West Nile region, reflecting a commitment to inclusive, agricultural innovation.
Following a competitive application review process, selected innovators from Arilo Subcounty, Yumbe Town, Arua, Midigo, and other parts of West Nile will convene for an intensive bootcamp designed to transform their ideas into viable, scalable enterprises.
A Two-Stage Pathway to Scale
The selection process follows a structured two-phase approach. Upon completion of the bootcamp, a distinguished panel of judges will select the top 8 candidates to proceed into a 3‑month intensive incubation program. During this phase, the selected agri-preneurs will receive:
- One-on-one technical mentorship from industry experts - Proof of Concept (PoC) funding to test and validate their innovations - Tailored support in product development and market access
The 2026 Arilo Bootcamp Cohort
The following 16 innovators have been approved to participate in the bootcamp:
- Mbeera Edward – Eco-dry Mango Initiative (Central Division)
- Agu Adinan – Mobile Agro-Vet Inputs and Extension Delivery Service (Midigo Town Council)
- Ayikoru Monica – Smart Livestock Link: SMS/USSD-Based Livestock Platform (NyEupa)
- Chiriga Saffi – Community Agro-Processing and Circular Feed Innovation (Arilo Subcounty)
- Letasi Joy – Nutri-mix (Oluko)
- Ahmed Umar Khemis – DrySafe Locker - Community Solar Crop-Drying Locker (Dadamu)
- Andrew Akugizibwe – Tomato Cloning (Oluko)
- Odipio Enock – SmartFarmer (Ayiviu)
- Moses Kenyi Emmanuel – Sweet Nutritious Powder (Yumbe Town Council)
- Angudria Noah – Tree Nursery Establishment (Arilo Subcounty)
- Amaku Gasper – Unified Community Initiative (Yumbe Town)
- Candiru Kubura – Craft Making from Recycled Materials (Arilo Subcounty)
- Siasa Zaituna – Aliodrozo Group (Arilo Subcounty)
- Taban Habib Karim – Sustainable Bee Keeping for Life Transformation (Arilo Subcounty)
- Gala Khalid – Mad Fish Farming (Arilo Subcounty)
- Yayi – Pasture Growing and Preservation Methods (Arilo Subcounty)
Thematic Focus & Regional Impact
The selected innovations cut across four critical thematic areas that define West Nile's agricultural transformation agenda: Post-Harvest Losses & Market Access Nutrition Challenges Access to Inputs & Extension Services Deforestation & Land Degradation
The Voice from the Hub
"The caliber of applications we received from Arilo Subcounty and beyond is a testament to the untapped potential within West Nile's agricultural communities," said a representative from the West Nile Innovation Hub. "While our primary focus was Arilo, we believe that cross-pollination of ideas from across the region strengthens everyone. Our goal with the Arilo Challenge is not just to identify great ideas, but to provide a structured pathway from bootcamp to incubation that turns these concepts into validated solutions through PoC funding."
Looking Ahead
The Arilo Innovation Challenge Bootcamp is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. Upon conclusion, the top 8 finalists will be announced, marking the start of their 3‑month incubation journey. Regular updates will be shared via the WNIH communication channels
For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or more information about the REFOOTURE Project, please contact the West Nile Innovation Hub.