Highlights

Proposed Theme:

Science and Culture Integration for Transformative Change |Key thematic focus: Education for Self-Reliance, Bioeconomy, One Health, and Quantum Transformation

Proposed Dates:

09-10 Nov. 2026

Proposed Venue:

Virina Gardens (to be confirmed)

Run-up events (specific dates to be announced)
  • FAIDA 3 Debate Championship
  • FAIDA 3 Innovative Science Exhibition
  • FAIDA 3 Performing & Creative Arts Championship (Includes Poetry & MDD)

Summary

The THRIVE Scientific Research Institute (TRISU) at THRAIF, secretariat of FAIDA Conferences, announces the third FAIDA Conference: FAIDA 3 (2026). FAIDA, its conferences, and run-up events form a research project series that aims to foster inclusive-sustainable development. In each, multistakeholder dialogues occur among communities, scholars, policymakers, and development actors to co-create inclusive-sustainable development science, technologies, and action. Like FAIDA 1 and 2, FAIDA 3 will feature debates, innovative science presentations and exhibitions, and musical performances. Interested? You can participate in debates, present papers, organise exhibitions, or showcase music! For more information, please refer to the details in the sections below. 

Detailed description and Invitation  

Welcome to the FAIDA 3 Conference (2026). FAIDA, its conferences, and run-up events form a research project series that aims to foster inclusive-sustainable development. In each, multi-stakeholder dialogues occur among communities, scholars, policymakers, and development actors to co-create inclusive-sustainable development science, technologies, and action. Like FAIDA 1 and 2, FAIDA 3 will feature debates, innovative science presentations and exhibitions, and musical performances. These dialogues are mobilised into a research paper to contribute to the knowledge that is shaping our worlds. In addition, we developed policy briefs with recommendations for action. From one FAIDA event to the next, reviews are made on which actions were implemented and new scientific knowledge exists, and then new innovative ideas and dialogues are made, creating useful interactive feedback loops necessary for sustainable, transformative change. 

Specific to FAIDA 3, what is unique is that it is the second in a series on the theme of understanding how integrating science (not modern science) and culture can help transform our society in a meaningful and impactful way. FAIDA 3 is specifically interested in the aspects of pre-modern sciences that facilitate transformative societies while ensuring pandemic prosperity and in how this can be harnessed to inform contemporary discourse and action on sustainable development. Aligned with that are two aspects: first, local and indigenous knowledge and cultural innovations; and second, quantum transformation, an emerging discourse in the Rwenzoris that challenges what is taken for granted in both the social and scientific spheres. Special attention will be paid to how that quantum transformation can facilitate sustainable development. While remaining diverse, the core focus of FAIDA 3 will be on Education for Self-Reliance, Bioeconomy, One Health, and Quantum Transformation through the lens of sustainability, exploring how integrating science with culture can foster an appropriate attainment towards these aspects. Beyond these, additional presentations, exhibitions, etc., are welcome so long as they are linked to the overall theme. The conference features presentations on science and innovation, exhibitions by innovators, and dialogues on or about policymaking to catalyse innovative transformation. 

We warmly invite you to be part of this prestigious gathering, either to attend and learn from the presenters or to present your own work (see the call for abstracts below). Your presence and participation will undoubtedly enrich the discourse and contribute to the success of this conference. Your expertise, ideas, and perspectives are indispensable in shaping a world where academia, civil society organisations, and opinion leaders collaborate to drive positive transformation. Please RSVP your attendance by 10 Sept 2026 to reserve a seat at this event.

Call for abstracts (for scholars, scientists, & innovators)

As part of the FAIDA 3 Conference, there will be presentations and exhibitions from researchers, scientists, and innovators. Abstracts for potential presentations are invited on topics related to at least one of the sub-themes above. But not only on these but also on a wide range of other elements related to academic research, policy development, and societal issues that have a bearing on the theme of this FAIDA 3 Conference. The first deadline for these abstracts is 30 April 2026, and the second one is 30 September 2026; accordingly, full papers should be submitted by or on 31 July 2026 and 31 October 2026, respectively. Each presentation has an opportunity to be published as a scholarly or scientific piece in publication outlets. We currently publish a volume under the Sustainability and Inclusive Development Reviews (SIDs) label, published by Springer Nature. We are also pursuing partnerships with other A1 journals and scientific volume publishers to increase the number of credible publication outlets. Some presentations, including posters, will appear in our short publication, e.g., the Research and Education magazine. All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed after the conference, but authors will have the opportunity to receive preliminary feedback to improve their manuscripts.

Each abstract should be a maximum of 250 words, undergo peer review, and receive feedback notifications typically sent to the corresponding authors within one month of receipt. Please submit your abstract via this link, here. If you encounter any difficulties, contact us via email at faida@thrive.ac.ug or Tel: 0393252595 or +256 785 822146.

Call to championships & tournaments (run-up events)

FAIDA Conferences incorporate championships and tournaments across age groups and various categories to ensure critiqued co-creations of inclusive, sustainable innovations that create transformative change. In all these, ideas are born, new innovations are co-learnt, and dialogues are co-created on how to take action to transform lives and societies. We create innovative research papers for publication from each event to ensure that the voices and views at the conference contribute to shaping our world, as well as to inform innovative actions and policy briefs that facilitate action. For FAIDA 3 (2025), there will be various forms of championships and tournaments:

  • FAIDA 3 Debate Championship
  • FAIDA 3 Innovative Science Exhibition
  • FAIDA 3 Performing & Creative Arts Championship (including Poetry and MDD)

These three categories of events will take place in April 2026 and September 2026 for local and regional events, respectively, and the final at the FAIDA 3 Conference itself. Specific days will be communicated. They will be open to all primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions as well as other entities or even individuals involved in related matters. The tentative venues and/or host institutions include the following:

  • Winning school of the FAIDA 2 Debate Championship
  • Divine Mercy Secondary School, Fort Portal
  • Kyambogo University
  • Rwenzori International University

One more thing: the best performers at these championships and tournaments participate in the FAIDA conference, specifically FAIDA 3. In addition, thanks to the general supporters, we offer scholarships, medals, trophies, and various forms of recognition in line with the core mission of FAIDA. 

Would you like to register for these in advance? You are welcome. The registration link is available here. If you require further guidance or have additional questions, please contact us via email at faida@thrive.ac.ug or call us at Tel: +256 200905273 or 0393252595. 

Procedure for participation and the conference fees

We currently have two forms: Expression of Interest and Invitation. There are entities we invite and those that express interest in participating. If not invited, you are welcome to express interest and participate. Whatever the case, the FAIDA Conferences provide a platform for each entity or person to engage in a (specific) role at the event to disseminate findings or innovations or educate on action research on the inclusive-sustainable development agenda. The roles include, among others, participating in the Debate or Debate Championship, the Innovative Science Exhibition or presentation, and the Performing and Creative Arts Championship, as well as being a learner in the general audience. 

We have partial funding to hold the FAIDA 3 Conference in 2026, thanks to the generous contributions from our founders, well-wishers, and the secretariat. To supplement this, each attendee will pay a modest registration fee to cover related expenses, including meals, refreshments, a small contribution to administrative and overhead costs, and a percentage of operational costs. The categorisation of the fees is detailed below:

  • General audience (per individual): UGX 50,000 or 15 dollars
  • Presenters of papers: UGX 150,000 
  • Corporate institutions (up to 03 people + corporate presentation): UGX 500,000
  • Exhibitors (Up to 03 people only): 250,000
  • Championships and tournaments (up to 04 people only): UGX 150,000

Call for support

The above fees are insufficient to cover the various operational costs involved (including open-access publications), as well as the prizes for the best performer in co-creating solutions via sci-ence and innovation. Prizes also include scholarships for economically vulnerable but innovative students who excel in performance and are judged to contribute to transforming our society. We also appeal for support and generous contributions. Specific to FAIDA 3, the estimated expenditure stands at UGX 120,262,500 (one hundred and twenty million, two hundred sixty-two thousand five hundred). In the event of any surpluses, they are reinvested in enhancing the events, in line with our non-profit status, to facilitate dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of solutions that transform our society. By supporting us, you are part of the solution and the processes that lead to it. Every simple support counts! Thank you in advance for your kind support. For entitles, alongside your kind support, we offer advertising in our conference book, banner display, or a corporate pitch. This is open, as some entries might not want to be publicized. Those into that will be, and for planning purposes (including finalization of the banner with your logos), please confirm your support by October 30, 2026. This can be done via email at faida@thrive.ac.ug or by telephone at the following lines: 0785 822146 (FAIDA 3 Coordinator), 0200905273 (Convener), 0393252595 (Office). 

Registration for the events

Registration is open throughout, from now till the deadlines. You are free to register in advance. We offer a 100% refund if one changes their mind at least 2 weeks before the event. 

For more info

Email: faida@thrive.ac.ug 
Tel: +256 200905273 or 0393252595