Issued by: TotalEnergies EP Uganda
An innovative solution that uses artificial intelligence to identify optimal locations for electric vehicle charging points has won the inaugural TotalEnergies Uganda rEVolution Hackathon (#TErEVolutionUG).
The solution presented by the TBKN team was announced as the winner at an awards ceremony held in Kampala today, Wednesday. The ceremony marks the end of a three-month hackathon challenge launched by TotalEnergies Uganda to give young Ugandans the opportunity to develop solutions that will help identify optimal locations for electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Kampala.
TBKN was awarded a cash prize of Shs18.5mn, while ISBAT University, the first runner-up, received Shs11.1mn. In third place were Data Knight and Shalom, who received Shs3.7mn each.
“Addressing today’s challenge of carbon neutrality requires a collective focus on innovation. In Uganda, TotalEnergies is part of the energy cluster think-tank on e-mobility and supports innovation in that area,” said Philippe Groueix, general manager TotalEnergies EP Uganda and country chair TotalEnergies in Uganda.
“The company launched this hackathon challenge to provide a platform for young people to propose innovative ideas that can facilitate e-mobility in Kampala, which is in line with our corporate pillar of youth inclusion,” Mr Groueix added.
More than 400 people between the ages of 18 and 45 applied to take part in the challenge, which ran from July to September and was implemented by Outbox Uganda on behalf of TotalEnergies Uganda.
“This hackathon demonstrated that young people still have a role to play in addressing societal challenges in partnership with the private sector. We are confident that the selected solutions can be deployed by TotalEnergies in Uganda and other mobility stakeholders in Uganda,” said Richard Zulu, Team Principal, Outbox Uganda.
Sixteen teams of four were shortlisted for the hackathon. They were tasked with suggesting ideas using data provided on Kampala’s road, electricity, and transport networks. The teams also received mentoring and coaching to refine their ideas before presenting them to a panel of judges. The proposals were judged on a number of criteria including innovation, team composition, presentation and business fit.
TotalEnergies in Uganda
TotalEnergies has been present in Uganda since 1955 through its marketing operations, and has more 200 stations countrywide. TotalEnergies EP Uganda is an upstream affiliate, which is leading the development activities in the Tilenga project area – Contract Area 1 (CA-1) and Licence Area 2 North (LA-2N) in the Albertine Region.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets oil and biofuels, natural gas, green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, reliable, and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainable development at the heart of all its projects and operations.
