Kampala: Uganda has successfully concluded Season 2 of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), a flagship competition of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), celebrating bold and visionary student founders who are building impactful businesses while pursuing their academic journeys.
Held over the weekend, the national finals brought together some o f Uganda’s most promising young entrepreneurs in a powerful showcase of innovation, resilience, and leadership.
2026 Uganda GSEA Winners
Billy Garvin Ssemyalo, Founder of Biocycle Energy – 1st Asasirabo Florence, Founder o f Florence Fragrances – 1st Runner-Up
Henry Mutumba, Founder o f Viridi Growth Limited – 2nd Runner-Up Place.
These outstanding founders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship—demonstrating not only commercial potential, but strength of character and long-term vision.
A Platform Anchored i n Values GSEA i s one of EO’s most impactful global initiatives,
connecting student entrepreneurs t o a worldwide network of over 21,000 leading business owners.
The Uganda Chapter continues to champion founders who embody EO’s four core
values:
– Think Big, Be Bold
– Trust and Respect
– Thirst for Learning
– Together We Grow
The competition’s judging framework reflects this philosophy. It t i s weighted 70% o n the entrepreneur as a person—their mindset, leadership, resilience, and character—
and 30% on the business itself.
This structure reinforces a fundamental entrepreneurial truth: businesses grow only as
much as the people behind them grow. GSEA also receives global recognition through the YouTube series Start It Up, giving young founders international exposure and positioning them within a broader global entrepreneurial movement.
Season 2 builds on the milestone achievement o f Ochom Joel Felix, Founder o f Phytogold Uganda Limited and a Bachelor of Pharmacy finalist, who made history last year as Uganda’s
first GSEA finalist.
He advanced to the quarterfinals in Pakistan and represented Uganda a t the Global Finals in Cape Town, finishing among the top 19 globally. His journey set a powerful precedent for future Ugandan student entrepreneurs.
Under the leadership of EO Uganda President Nirav Hathi, and the stewardship of GSEA Chair Arshad Bholim, the national phase o f Season 2 has been successfully concluded.
Uganda now looks ahead with pride as Billy Garvin Ssemyalo prepares t o represent the country a t the next stage of the competition i n Saudi Arabia. EO Uganda extends sincere appreciation t o its sponsors and partners whose support continues to make this platform
possible:
Crowe Uganda Hisense Uganda Fairway Hotel Voyager Global Solutions. Their commitment to youth entrepreneurship i s helping shape the next generation o f business leaders. The future entrepreneurship in Uganda i s bright.
