Helton Traders Limited has been crowned overall winner of the 2026 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) Uganda Pitching Competition, securing the country’s slot at the prestigious GEC+ Africa 2026 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The finals, held in Kampala on Thursday, marked the climax of months of preparation, mentorship and competition among some of Uganda’s most promising startups.
Organized by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Uganda in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, the competition drew more than 100 applications from across the country. Ten startups were shortlisted to pitch innovative solutions to pressing social, environmental and economic challenges before a four-member jury and an audience of ecosystem players, investors and fellow entrepreneurs.
Helton Traders, founded by Munyasa Hellen, stood out for its model of transforming plastic waste into sewing thread and fabric, tackling both environmental pollution and demand for affordable textile inputs. The startup walked away with a grand prize of UGX 2 million and the coveted opportunity to officially represent Uganda at the GEC+ Africa 2026 Conference, scheduled for September 16–17 in Cape Town. Kyuka Ventures Innovation Hub, an energy-focused enterprise, took first runner-up with UGX 1.5 million, while health-tech startup Dada Innovations (Simply Hers) placed second runner-up, earning UGX 1 million.
Beyond the cash prizes, organizers emphasized that the greatest value of the competition lies in visibility, investor exposure and access to markets. The winning startup will be featured in a continental deal book shared with investors attending GEC+ Africa, significantly enhancing its prospects for funding, partnerships and customer acquisition. Entrepreneurs at the conference are expected to join more than 2,000 delegates, including policymakers, investors, ecosystem builders and business leaders, in discussions on innovation, investment and entrepreneurship-driven growth.
Speaking at the event, GEN Uganda Managing Director Mary Odongo described the competition as a launchpad for ambitious entrepreneurs seeking to scale beyond national borders. “Today’s event is more than a competition. It is a platform of vision, courage and innovation. Behind every pitch is an entrepreneur who has chosen to step forward, take risks and work towards building solutions that can transform lives, communities and economies,” she said. Odongo added that the initiative is designed not only to identify winners but also to strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through mentorship, networking and access to growth opportunities.