Gulu, Uganda — The University of the Sacred Heart Gulu (USHG) participated in the 16th Annual Higher Education Exhibition, held at Gulu University Grounds from 26th to 28th March 2026, where it showcased a range of homegrown innovations for Health, Agriculture, Environment and Digital Transformation developed by students, staff, alumni, and university-linked initiatives.
The exhibition was held under the theme "Harnessing Innovations in Higher Education for Accelerated Economic Transformation." USHG's participation highlighted the University's growing commitment to practical, community-centred innovation in areas such as agriculture, agro-processing, mental health, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and institutional service improvement.
Among the innovations showcased was the Portable Solar Dryer for Family Use and Value Addition of Fresh Produce, developed within the Bachelor of Agri-systems Management programme under the Department of Innovation and Rural Development. The dryer helps households reduce post-harvest losses, extend shelf life, and support local value addition. The University also exhibited value-added products from bitter leaves and beetroot, including herbal soap, powders, snacks, organic fertilizers, botanical pesticides, dried beetroot, and beetroot-based food products — transforming local crops into marketable enterprises.
In health, USHG presented the Depression Treatment Recommender System, an emerging digital health innovation developed through collaboration between the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Intelligence and Analytics and the Bachelor of Counselling Psychology programme. The system demonstrates how data analytics can support personalized mental health care. Additionally, the Able Minds Foundation Integrated 4-Pillar Community Mental Health Model — a university-supported start-up — strengthens grassroots mental health through social empowerment, economic empowerment, male engagement, and community support systems, already reaching thousands in Gulu District.
The University presented YugiApp, a smart waste reporting and management platform that enables citizens to report illegal dumping and uncollected waste, supporting coordinated environmental response. Another innovation, the Gulu Air Quality Monitor, provides real-time data on PM2.5, PM10, AQI status and health advisories for Gulu City — fostering public awareness and evidence-based action.
Through these innovations, USHG demonstrated its commitment to higher education that responds to real social, economic, environmental, and mental health challenges. The University appreciates the National Council for Higher Education for providing a platform that gives visibility to emerging innovations and creates opportunities for collaboration, funding, and wider application. The exhibition reaffirmed USHG's mission to generate, accumulate, and transfer knowledge, skills, and experiences for holistic healing, growth, and development.
Hon. Chrysostom Muyingo, Minister of State for Higher Education, commended USHG's practical, community-driven innovations.
Ms Helen Lawino, Head of Department Innovations and Rural Development at USHG
Portable solar dryers & value addition reducing post-harvest loss.
Depression Recommender System & community mental health model.
YugiApp waste mgmt & real-time Air Quality Monitoring.
