In the context of Ugandan agriculture, where over 70% of the population works in this sector, young entrepreneurs see an opportunity to introduce innovative technological solutions to drive growth and promote sustainable development. Samuel Okoci, Maureen Nayebare, Aaron Etyang, Peter Beinamaani, and Frank Magezi Rubandamayonza, all students at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), have joined forces to create the Smart Kuku Brooder, a revolutionary device aimed at reducing high chick mortality rates by automatically regulating temperature in chicken coops.
The Smart Kuku Brooder was born out of the need to address a crucial problem faced by many Ugandan farmers: significant chick losses due to unsuitable environmental conditions. This student team, whose members grew up in farming families, decided to turn their vision into action by co-founding the startup Smart Kuku Brooder. Their goal: to modernize local agriculture by introducing innovative technologies to improve farmers' working conditions and promote environmental sustainability.
"The introduction of this product to the market has facilitated poultry farming activities in the region, paving the way for wider technology adoption”
The mission of the Smart Kuku Brooder team is closely tied to their education at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Through a partnership with the UNESCO-CFIT III project, the university offers practical, entrepreneurship-oriented training, equipping students with essential skills to turn their ideas into tangible projects. Training programs focus on green skills and emerging job market needs, preparing youth to become change agents in their communities.
The Smart Kuku Brooder, which operates on solar energy and electricity to regulate temperature, humidity, and lighting in chicken coops, has been enthusiastically received by local farmers. Its introduction to the market in November 2023 facilitated poultry farming activities in the Mbarara region, paving the way for wider technology adoption.
Building on their initial success, the Smart Kuku Brooder team has won several national and international competitions, securing additional funding to further develop their enterprise. They now aim to expand their impact beyond Uganda's borders, aspiring to become a world-class company that addresses local issues with technological expertise.
