Helton Traders Limited has emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) Uganda Pitching Competition, earning the honor of representing Uganda at the GEC+ Africa 2026 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Kampala-based startup, founded by Munyasa Hellen, impressed judges with its innovative approach to transforming plastic waste into sewing thread and fabric, addressing both environmental pollution and the need for affordable textile materials.
Organized by GEN Uganda in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, the competition attracted over 100 startups nationwide, with only 10 finalists advancing to the grand pitch event. Helton Traders claimed the top prize of UGX 2 million, while Kyuka Ventures Innovation Hub and Dada Innovations secured first and second runner-up positions respectively.
Beyond cash rewards, the victory offers Helton Traders valuable exposure to investors, partners, and new markets through participation in the GEC+ Africa Conference, which will bring together more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders from across the continent.
GEN Uganda Managing Director Mary Odongo described the competition as a platform that empowers entrepreneurs to scale their ideas beyond borders through mentorship, networking, and market access.
For founder Munyasa Hellen, the win is both recognition and opportunity. She said the achievement demonstrates that Ugandan innovations can compete on the continental stage while inspiring more young entrepreneurs to pursue impactful business solutions.
As preparations for Cape Town begin, Helton Traders carries Uganda’s entrepreneurial ambitions onto a larger African platform, aiming to turn innovation into investment, partnerships, and sustainable growth.
