Think you can build a solution to an internet governance challenge? The UYIGF 2026 Hackathon is your platform.

Internet governance shapes how the internet is accessed, regulated, and used from technical standards to policy dialogues on Artificial Intelligence, AI policy, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital rights. Yet most Ugandan youth, including digitally active students and young professionals, have little to no awareness of these processes or how to participate in them.

As such, the Internet Society Uganda Chapter in partnership with the Research Education Network Uganda (RENU), Foundation for Internet Rights and Innovation – FIRI, Cross Border Initiative on Internet Governance – CBIIG, Streetways Uganda – Su, RENU Uganda are organising an Internet governance Hackathon to bridge the youth awareness gap in internet governance. The hackathon seeks to develop and build a working prototype that closes the internet governance awareness gap among Ugandan youth. Your prototype should help young people:

1. Understand what internet governance is and why it affects them.
2. Access digestible, localized content on AI governance, data protection, cybersecurity and digital rights.
3. Engage with or track ongoing governance processes in Uganda and globally.

Solutions we’re looking for? 

• Interactive learning platforms or microlearning apps
• Gamified quizzes or simulations on digital rights and policy scenarios
• Chatbot or AI assistant explaining governance topics in plain language
• Localized content tools (e.g., local language translation, audio/video explainers)
• Civic-engagement dashboards tracking governance issues relevant to youth

Prize Award

• Prize Pool – 2,000,000 /= (including Grand Prize – UGX 1,000,000/=)

How to participate:

Please register your team to take part in the hackathon here.  Form a team of 2 to 7 members before registering. Application deadline: July 07, 2026.