Theme: Tokenisation, the Disappearing Device Ports, and the Rise of Subscription for Everything: What Do These Trends Mean for Ownership, Freedom, and the Future of the Digital Society?
Opened: 06 June 2026
Closes: 21 June 2026
The Digital Agenda is shaping how we live, work, transact, communicate, and participate in society. As technologies evolve, important questions arise about digital stewardship, individual autonomy, ownership, privacy, resilience, and the long-term implications of increasingly connected systems.
These three rising trends are not separate. They converge toward a single agenda:
- Tokenisation – Enables Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) – programmable money with built-in controls (expiry, spending limits, surveillance).
- Disappearing device ports – Forces cloud dependency and ends true hardware ownership – you cannot repair, modify, or use a device offline without the manufacturer’s permission.
- Subscriptions for everything – Creates the rented life – you own nothing; access depends on continuous payment and compliance.
Together, these trends require Digital ID as the gateway to participate. The result: no privacy, no autonomy, and no permanent ownership – only permissioned access under centralised control.
University students are invited to critically examine these emerging trends.
Submissions should critically examine: Opportunities vs. Concerns, and Propose how to preserve Digital Stewardship, Resilience, and User Control in this emerging reality.
Eligibility
- Open to undergraduate students enrolled in Information Technology, Information Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Cybersecurity, ICT and other related computing, information, and digital technology programmes at recognised universities in Uganda..
- Applicants must be studying at a recognised university in Uganda.
Awards
🥇 1st Place
- UGX 1,000,000 Cash Prize
- Digital Stewardship Excellence Award
- Featured publication on Digital Agenda Forum platforms
- Opportunity to present the winning paper at a Digital Stewardship Forum
- Certificate of Excellence
🥈 2nd Place
- UGX 500,000 Cash Prize
- Certificate of Distinction
- Featured publication on Digital Agenda Forum platforms
🏅 Top 10 Finalists
- Invitation to present before an expert panel
- Certificate of Merit
- Recognition as a Digital Stewardship Fellow 2026
- Opportunity to network with technology leaders, policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals
- Inclusion in the Digital Stewardship Essay Compendium 2026
📖 Selected Outstanding Essays
- Publication in a special Digital Stewardship collection
- Promotion through Digital Agenda Forum communication channels
- Opportunity to contribute to future Digital Agenda Forum discussions and events
Competition Process
- Written essays will be reviewed by an independent evaluation panel.
- The Top 10 submissions will be shortlisted.
- Shortlisted participants will be invited to deliver an oral presentation defending their work before a panel of judges.
- The overall winners will be selected based on both the written submission and presentation performance.
Submission Guidelines
- Original, unpublished work only.
- Recommended length: 1,500 – 3,000 words.
- Essays should demonstrate research, critical thinking, and practical recommendations.
- References should be properly cited where applicable.
Why Participate?
This is more than an essay competition. It is an opportunity to:
- Showcase your research and critical thinking skills
- Contribute to important conversations about the future of technology and society
- Gain recognition from industry leaders and policymakers
- Build your professional profile and academic portfolio
- Help shape the discourse on Digital Stewardship and the global Digital Agenda (home and beyond)
Purpose: This competition seeks to cultivate informed dialogue and responsible leadership around the future of digital transformation. Through critical inquiry and constructive debate, participants will contribute to the broader conversation on digital stewardship and the direction of the global Digital Agenda (home and beyond).
Deadline
21 June 2026, 11:59pm EAT
Submission Details
Following these submission details is part of the assessment, to evaluate your ability to interpret and apply instructions accurately, attention to detail, and understanding of professional communication standards.
- The essay must include a cover page with:
– The theme as the title
– The date
– Your full author name - Save the essay as a PDF file
- Name the file using this format:
Tokenisation_Firstname_Lastname.pdf
Example:Tokenisation_Beth_Munira.pdf - Send the PDF to: info@digitalagenda.org
- Use this exact email subject format:
Tokenisation_Firstname_Lastname_PhoneNumber.pdf
Example:Tokenisation_Beth_Munira_070004444.pdf
—ENDS—