Frequently Asked Questions
The hackathon is open to software developers, network & systems engineers, cybersecurity specialists, university students, researchers, and digital policy analysts across Uganda and East Africa. Both solo applicants (who will be matched into teams on Day 1) and pre-formed teams of 2 to 4 members are welcome.
When applying on our website, you can choose one of three modes: (1) Apply as an Individual & Get Matched, (2) Create a New Team — which immediately generates a unique Team Invite Code (e.g. UGDNS-8492) that you share with your teammates, or (3) Join an Existing Team by entering your team leader's invite code.
The Uganda DNS Hackathon runs in a Hybrid format. In-person hacking, workshops, and Demo Day take place in Kampala (Legacy Towers / UIXP & Partner Innovation Hub), while remote teams across Uganda can collaborate via our virtual technical sandbox and livestreamed mentor clinics.
No! Day 1 features an intensive DNS 101 Orientation, DNSSEC setup workshop, and track briefings led by mentors from AfTLD, ICANN, ISOC, and the .UG Registry. We also have tracks tailored for web developers (Universal Acceptance) and policy/economics researchers (DNS Policy & Regulation).
Selected winning groups receive post-hackathon technical incubation with the Uganda DNS Forum, i3C (.UG Registry), and partner organizations to pilot their tools in real Ugandan network environments and present at the annual Uganda DNS Forum.
On the Application Portal, simply switch the role selector tab at the top of the wizard to "Apply as Technical Mentor" or "Apply as Jury / Judge" to submit your domain expertise, organization, and availability.