On 30th September 2026, 11 impressive young women entrepreneurs of POWER Cohort 5 pitched their business innovations in a pitch competition, culminating in the selection of an overall champion and two runners-up. This followed a rigorous six-month Young Women Entrepreneurs’ accelerator program.
The event was colorfully graced by the Hon. State Minister for Youth, Dr. Lakisa Faith Mercy, alongside officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, and key partner organizations. In her address, the State Minister encouraged the innovators to dream big and aim for a global reach, taking pride in their solutions and remembering that “resilience is the engine, not seed capital.”
Pitch Competition Winners
Champion: Ajuro Joan Eyudu – Founder, Afya Pesa
- Innovation: Afya Pesa is a digital health financing platform that enables youths and adolescents to raise and save funds for healthcare. The initiative delivers financial and health literacy to underserved Ugandan communities, empowering individuals to safely use digital health payments for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and general healthcare services.
- Award: UGX 1,000,000
1st Runner-Up: Itungu Jovulean – Founder, JM Medical Services
- Innovation: Launched in 2023 under JM Medical Services, RuralMed Wagon is a mobile health initiative delivering affordable, quality care directly to Uganda’s remote villages. By removing the financial and logistical barriers posed by distance and transport costs, it ensures that isolated communities receive timely, lifesaving medical care.
- Award: UGX 500,000
2nd Runner-Up: Maria Rinah Namatovu – Founder, Teen Mother Support Hub
- Innovation: Based in Nakaziba Village, Kayunga District, the Teen Mother Support Hub (TMSH) equips pregnant teenagers with health education, counseling, and mentorship for safe childbirth. Partnering with local health facilities, schools, and community leaders, TMSH combats stigma and isolation by connecting young mothers to healthcare workers, peer networks, and family support systems throughout antenatal, birth, and postnatal care.
Driving Sustainable Impact
Beyond the top prizes, all remaining participants are to receive seed capital to launch and grow their ventures.
Action 4 Health Uganda has now supported 66 young women entrepreneurs, who collectively employ over 300 young people, furthering the mission to inspire youth across Uganda to reach their full potential.
Special appreciation goes to partners Makerere University School of Public Health and the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) for their dedicated support to this cohort.
Congratulations to all the young women innovators! We look forward to your continued impact in SRHR and community health.
