Uganda is a country of vibrant energy, creativity, and resilience. The challenges are real, but so is the potential for transformation – and Impact Week is returning to empower local changemakers to shape the future of their communities.
After our workshops in 2018, 2023, and 2024 we are coming back – ready to sow new seeds of innovation and impact.

The story of Impact Week Uganda began in 2018, when our Kenyan community brought the initiative to Masaka University, planting the first seeds of Design Thinking in Uganda. Five years later, in 2023, we held an Impact Week Uganda in Kampala, bringing together students, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to co-create sustainable solutions for pressing local challenges. In 2024 we started our fruitful collaboration with SINA (Social Innovation Academy) and brought together young people from various youth organizations. We are expremely happy that in 2025, the journey with SINA continues. Together, we’re training a new generation of Junior Coaches and participants in Design Thinking: a creative, human-centered approach to problem solving that empowers people to drive change from within their communities.

Mpigi, located just southwest of Kampala, is home to SINA’s inspiring community of social innovators and changemakers. The region faces challenges common across Uganda – including youth unemployment, limited access to quality education, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Yet, it is also a place filled with entrepreneurial spirit, community-driven innovation, and hope for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Through Impact Week Uganda, we aim to equip 24 local and international Junior Coaches and around 72 young challenge participants with Design Thinking skills to create people-centered solutions that address real challenges in their communities. Together, we’ll explore how empathy, collaboration, and creativity can unlock new opportunities for social impact in Uganda and beyond.

And you can be part of it – to learn, connect, and gain a mindset for driving change in an agile and purpose-driven world.

Founded by social innovator Etienne Salborn—recently recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s top 50 inspiring organizational leaders—SINA operates across 18 communities in six African countries. The academy fosters sustainable development through its unique “freesponsibility” model, which blends freedom and responsibility to empower local changemakers. SINA has earned international acclaim, inspiring a new generation of changemakers to reshape their communities with dignity and purpose. This approach has led to the creation of over 80 social enterprises tackling pressing social and environmental challenges. Join Impact Week Uganda in this most meaningful program and help empower disadvantaged youth and refugees to become self-sufficient social entrepreneurs. 

At Impact Week, we are deeply committed to creating positive change and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds or identities. Thereby, respect for human rights is a non-negotiable pillar of our work. We condemn every limitation or abuse thereof and are actively striving towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

When it comes to the destinations in which we work, we aspire to empower communities that are most underserved, which also means that respect for human rights cannot be taken for granted. Our decision to operate in Uganda amidst the discrimination and prosecution of the LGBTQ+ community reflects our unwavering belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. We remain committed to striving for a future where all individuals can live freely and authentically. This means as Impact Week we are clearly distancing ourselves from the LGBTQ+ laws of the Ugandan government, but we are seeking to be a catalyst for social change, especially where not all parts of the population do possess the opportunity to live out their choices.

By organising Impact Week in Uganda, we aim to create a platform for open conversations, knowledge sharing, and collaboration that transcends boundaries. Our goal is to foster an environment where diverse perspectives can be heard, respected, and understood.

To participate in Impact Week, participants need not disclose their sexual orientation. Everyone is welcome to join in on our programs. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you should be aware of the local legislation and news. As Impact Week we will do whatever is in our power to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community who are part of Impact Week.

At Impact Week, we prioritize the health and safety of all our participants, ensuring that your experience in Uganda is both enriching and secure. While security measures are firmly in place on-site, we encourage you to consult your home country’s travel advisory for additional peace of mind.

For health matters and vaccination guidance, we recommend visiting the World Health Organization’s Travel Advice page or the CDC website Uganda – Traveler view | Travelers’ Health | CDC. To learn more about visa and entry requirements for Uganda, please visit https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/.

We’re always here to assist! Feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions or for further details. We look forward to welcoming you to an impactful and memorable experience in Uganda!