SafeBangle Technologies, a Ugandan social enterprise developing wearable safety solutions, won a 2024 World Summit Award in the Inclusion & Empowerment category. The company recently returned from presenting at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India, where it showcased Uganda’s innovation capabilities on an international platform.
“Representing Uganda at the WSA Global Congress was a profound honor,” said Saul Kabali, Chief Operations Lead at SafeBangle Technologies. “Being recognized alongside world-class innovations validates our approach of designing technology that respects local cultural contexts while addressing critical safety challenges. This award belongs to every woman who helped shape our solution through their feedback and insights.”
The World Summit Awards is a unique award system that selects and promotes local digital innovations aimed at improving society in line with the UN SDGs. Through a series of international events and a global network of startups, social entrepreneurs, mentors, jurors, speakers, experts, government leaders, academia, and civil society, WSA serves as an international platform showcasing how communication technologies can positively impact society.
The awards are divided into eight categories: Government & Citizen Engagement, Health & Wellbeing, Learning & Education, Environment & Green Energy, Culture & Heritage, Smart Settlements & Urbanization, Business & Commerce, and Inclusion & Empowerment.
Uganda’s SafeBangle was nominated in the Inclusion & Empowerment category.
The Inclusion & Empowerment category focuses on ICT solutions that drive social impact by fostering equitable access to technology, bridging digital divides, and promoting the socio-economic and political inclusion of marginalized groups—regardless of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. The solutions in this category aim to empower citizens in public services, enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness, mobilize diverse resources, and ensure universal access to essentials like food, education, and information. They emphasize dismantling discriminatory policies, reducing inequalities, and strengthening capacities in developing nations for risk reduction and health management. A core priority is advancing gender equality by combating violence and discrimination against women and girls, while leveraging ICT to amplify their empowerment and participation across all spheres of life.
In a category of over 100 nominees, SafeBangle was among the 5 winners selected in the category.
What began in a small workshop in Kampala has evolved into a globally recognized innovation.
SafeBangle was selected from hundreds of nominations for its culturally appropriate emergency alert bracelet that functions in low-connectivity environments using GSM technology. The wearable device discreetly sends alerts with precise location (of the user) data to trusted contacts during emergencies via a single button press, making safety accessible even in areas with limited internet access.
According to SafeBangle, they have piloted the tech-enabled bracelet with more than 1,000 users, resulting in a 63% reduction in response times —proving that community-rooted technology can work and save lives.
“When I press my SafeBangle, I know someone is coming for me,” said one of the users, a 26-year-old woman. “The bracelet looks like traditional jewelry, so nobody knows it’s a safety device.”
SafeBangle’s unique approach of incorporating traditional beadwork into modern safety technology drew particular attention at the Congress. When asked about this design choice by European innovators, the team explained, “Technology only works when it respects culture.” This philosophy resonated across borders and highlighted Uganda’s distinct approach to innovation.
During the Congress, SafeBangle participated in the “Equity by Design” panel, sharing insights on inclusive technology development with global experts, including Dorothy Gordon, Abhishek Singh from India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT, Baroness Beeban Kidron, and representatives from UNESCO and WE Hub.
One of the most affirming moments came when women from India approached the SafeBangle booth and expressed that they needed “this same solution” in their communities. “This is proof that innovations born from Uganda’s unique challenges can serve populations worldwide,” said Messach Luminsa, co-founder of SafeBangle Technologies.
The WSA recognition comes at a significant moment for SafeBangle, coinciding with its participation in Makerere University’s Safeguarding Policy. The company is exploring partnerships with educational institutions to implement its safety solution across campuses in Uganda.
SafeBangle operates on a tiered pricing model to ensure accessibility across economic brackets, with options for individual purchases starting at UGX120,000 that can be paid in instalments. Organizational deployments are priced at UGX221,000 per unit, and customized enterprise solutions.
The team is seeking investment partners to scale manufacturing capabilities and expand distribution across East Africa.
“Following this global recognition, we’re actively seeking partnerships with women’s organizations, educational institutions, and telecommunications providers to scale this life-saving technology throughout East Africa,” said Kabali. “Our next-generation device, currently in development, will add solar charging capabilities and extended battery life to better serve rural communities.”
Coupled with seeking investments, SafeBangle also faces limited manufacturing infrastructure, component sourcing challenges, and longer development cycles. However, they stand their ground and persist in developing a solution that significantly saves people’s lives. Luminsa adds, “International recognition demonstrates that these barriers aren’t insurmountable when the solution truly matters, and innovations born in Uganda can have global relevance.”
