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UB Student Innovators Tackle Botswana’s Health Sector Challenges Head-On

University of Botswana’s innovation and entrepreneurship hub, UNiPOD, recently launched its much anticipated Unleash Hackathon Incubation phase with resounding success. Over the course of an intense and collaborative week, six teams of aspiring student entrepreneurs participated in an intensive two-day hackathon, conducted field visits to the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) and the UB Clinic and wrapped up with a high-stakes pitch competition targeting pressing challenges in Botswana’s health sector.

The programme, which bridges classroom theory and real-world application, gave students a unique opportunity to co-create innovative, tech-driven solutions for some of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges. The initiative drew participation from multidisciplinary teams, with each group presenting their prototype solutions to a panel of expert judges, investors and stakeholders from the health and innovation sectors.

Emerging victorious from the pitch event was Primer Health, a team of six forward-thinking students, comprising five Computer Science postgraduates and one undergraduate Pharmacy student. Their project, which took first place, focuses on disease detection, outbreak prediction, and real-time alerting systems designed to inform relevant authorities and enable rapid contingency planning.

At the heart of Primer Health’s innovation lies a commitment to using artificial intelligence and data analytics to strengthen Botswana’s public health infrastructure. Their prototype aims to monitor trends in health data, identify early warning signs of disease outbreaks and improve the country’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively.

Meet the Winning Team

• Ms Srividya Nanduri, a final-year Computer Science undergraduate, is driven by a passion for continuous learning and applying technology for social impact. She aspires to contribute to meaningful healthcare innovation upon graduating in October 2025.
• Ms Favour Williams, also set to graduate in October 2025 with a degree in Computer Science, brings a strong focus on data-driven problem-solving. Her interest lies in front-end development and leveraging AI/ML to improve public health access.
• Mr Bryne Mndolo, a fellow Computer Science student, is focused on user experience design, front-end systems and the creation of accessible digital health platforms. He also brings experience in artificial intelligence and software engineering.
• Mr Nderitu Ndungo, with a sharp eye for system architecture, aims to build tools that enhance operational efficiency across sectors. His tech-driven mindset is matched with a dedication to practical, scalable solutions.
• Mr Kondwani Kadzongwe, a Computer Science undergraduate and current Master’s student, is passionate about digital transformation in the public sector. He is especially focused on developing AI-driven tools that can help solve major societal issues.
• Mr Daniel Williams, the sole Pharmacy student on the team, offers a distinctive perspective. With a passion for synthetic biology, innovation and interdisciplinary exploration, Daniel plays a critical role in bridging the gap between technology and clinical science.

The Unleash Hackathon Incubation phase marks an important milestone in UB’s commitment to nurturing innovation that directly responds to national needs. By equipping students with platforms to test their ideas, collaborate across disciplines and receive feedback from industry experts, the University of Botswana continues to empower the next generation of change-makers.

As Primer Health progresses to the next stage of incubation, their journey serves as an inspiring example of what is possible when academic knowledge meets real-world challenges. The future of healthcare innovation in Botswana is not just promising. It is already taking shape.