Youth Startup Academy Uganda Celebrates Fourth Cohort Graduation; SafeBangle Personal Safety Device Launched

The Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU) celebrated a landmark achievement with the graduation of its fourth cohort of young innovators.

The event, hosted at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, honoured over 40 young entrepreneurs who have completed a rigorous program aimed at equipping them with the skills, resources, and connections needed to scale their ventures.

Supported by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) and Uganda’s National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U), YSAU empowers young Ugandans to lead in high-impact sectors, including technology, agriculture, and finance, fostering economic growth and job creation in Uganda.

Key stakeholders, including the Korean Embassy in Uganda and the International Trade Centre (ITC), also lent their support to the event, highlighting their commitment to Uganda’s youth-driven startup ecosystem.

Through YSAU’s mentorship, boot camps, and networking initiatives, graduates are better prepared to attract investment and partnerships that can fuel their business success.

In a highlight of the ceremony, SafeBangle Technologies—a personal safety device company and a graduate of YSAU’s third cohort—officially launched its groundbreaking product.

The SafeBangle is a wearable safety device, worn like a watch, which sends alerts to trusted contacts and shares the user’s precise location in times of danger.

Designed to support personal security during late hours or in isolated areas, SafeBangle is particularly useful for individuals in potentially vulnerable situations.

“We’re introducing bulk purchasing options, tailored safety solutions, and analytics features, making SafeBangle a valuable tool for schools, workplaces, and institutions dedicated to protecting their communities,” said Saul Kabali, founder of SafeBangle Technologies.

Kabali emphasised the pressing need for proactive safety solutions, especially for women and girls in Uganda and beyond.

“SafeBangle is not just a product; it’s an empowerment tool, offering a discreet and reliable way to stay connected with loved ones and emergency responders during critical moments,” he noted.

By combining simplicity and cutting-edge technology in an everyday wearable, SafeBangle provides peace of mind and could be a lifesaving solution in moments of crisis.