Uganda's girls robotics and embedded AI pathway

GRAB Labs Uganda

A hands-on program helping girls move from computing curiosity to robotics, sensors, embedded systems, and AI-powered prototypes.

Registration coming soon View objectives
80target girls trained
20proposed girl-led teams
15target working prototypes
10+proposed mentors engaged
GRAB-LAB-UG EDGE AI READY
Arduino ESP32 Python Tiny AI

Why this matters

The drop-off is visible.

In Ronnie's Computer Science class, only 16 of 80 students were girls. In a robotics course unit under Computer Science, only 1 of 14 students was a girl.

Across two editions of AIFest Uganda, many student teams have built AI solutions, but no girls' team has yet emerged with a robotics and AI project. Robotics mentorship through GDG and WRO Uganda activities has shown the same pattern: girls are interested, but too few enter the room.

Program objectives

From exposure to builders.

GRAB Labs Uganda will create a guided pathway where girls learn, prototype, receive mentorship, and showcase robotics and embedded AI ideas.

01

Train 80 girls

Robotics, embedded systems, sensors, Python, and AI fundamentals.

02

Form 20 teams

Girl-led teams that move from learning labs into real projects.

03

Build 15 prototypes

Working robotics and AI prototypes ready for a final showcase.

04

Engage mentors

At least 10 mentors from IEEE, GDG, SheCircuits, WIE, and partners.

05

Measure confidence

Pre/post surveys will track interest, confidence, and continuation plans.

Learning pathway

What participants will build with.

Robotics foundations

Motors, movement, control loops, simple robot behavior, and safe lab practice.

Embedded systems

Arduino/ESP32, sensors, data capture, actuators, and real-world prototyping.

Edge AI basics

Computer vision and lightweight AI concepts introduced through approachable demos.

Team prototyping

Girls work in teams with mentors to build, test, document, and present ideas.

Tentative timeline

Month-by-month pathway

Exact workshop dates will be announced after partner confirmations and grant decisions.

Month 1

Partner setup & recruitment

Confirm partners, mentors, venues, and participant recruitment channels.

Month 2

Robotics starter labs

Hands-on sessions in microcontrollers, sensors, robotics basics, and teamwork.

Month 3

Embedded AI labs

Introduce AI concepts, sensor data, edge demos, and prototype themes.

Months 4-5

Team build sprints

20 girl-led teams build projects with technical mentor reviews.

Month 6

GRAB Labs showcase

Prototype demos, feedback, impact reporting, and next-step pathways.

Lead team

Built by organizers who already run communities.

Ronnie Atuhaire

Project Lead

Outgoing IEEE SB Makerere Chair, AIFest Uganda Lead Organizer, GDG/WRO robotics mentor.

Shakiran Nannyombi

Co-Lead & Computing Pathways Lead

IEEE Computer Society Chapter Makerere Chair and GDG On Campus Makerere Lead.

Anthony Ijoot

Hardware & Circuits Pathways Lead

Current IEEE CAS Chair and incoming IEEE Student Branch Makerere Chair.

Diana Najjuma

Embedded Systems & Girls Robotics Mentor

SheCircuits Uganda member and embedded systems engineer.

Letasi Swaida

WIE & Inclusion Lead

WIE Makerere Chair leading outreach, retention, and inclusive participant support.

Registration

Coming soon.

GRAB Labs Uganda registration will open after partner and program confirmations. Follow AIFest Uganda for calendar updates and related build events.

Open AIFest events calendar

Prospective collaborators

WRO Uganda STEMGENIUS SheCircuits Uganda IEEE SB Makerere CEDAT Makerere AI Lab Mindset Coders GDG On Campus Makerere WIE Makerere IEEE Computer Society Makerere