By Maxwell M Omwenga

Uganda will be represented in the Microsoft Imagine Cup competitions worldwide finals by a team of three students from Makerere University who developed an application that can diagnose malaria without pricking any body part. Team Code 8 is made up of Businge Joshua, Gitta Brian (both first year Computer Science students), Simon Lubambo, a fourth year Electrical Engineering student and their mentor Josiah Kavuma a third year Information Technology student. Their application named Matibabu uses a light sensor connected to a tablet that is passed over a finger to diagnose malaria. The trio will represent Uganda in the 2013 Microsoft Imagine Cup finals to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia in July.

“To have won this year’s Uganda country finals – and to have an opportunity to present our country at the Worldwide Imagine Cup along with some of the brightest young minds, is an honour,” said the team. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete with students from around the globe who like us, are passionate about making a difference in the world.”

Team Code 8 won an all expenses paid trip to the finals and two laptops while the second team – Team KodeDream won two laptops courtesy of Microsoft. Read more...