“We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy.”
Saul Kabali’s candid reflection captures the gritty journey of co-founding SafeBangle Technologies, a Ugandan startup now making waves worldwide.
Named a 2024 World Summit Awards (WSA) winner, SafeBangle stands among the globe’s top tech innovations driving social impact.
The Grueling Path to Hardware Innovation
Building a hardware company in Africa? Saul Kabali and Messach Luminsa knew it’d be tough—but how tough surprised even them.
“You need expertise in electrical engineering, firmware, and software. That’s why hardware startups are so hard,” Luminsa admits.
Their solution? Relentless trial and error. The team destroyed prototypes, iterated endlessly, and mastered multidisciplinary engineering.
The result? A sleek, IoT-enabled wearable designed to save lives when traditional safety measures fail.
Global Recognition: A Spotlight on Safety Tech
In April 2025, SafeBangle will showcase its innovation at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India—a stage for solutions advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This accolade cements their role in tackling global security challenges.
How SafeBangle Works: Safety at Your Fingertips
Targeting women, students, and workers in vulnerable situations, SafeBangle’s device is a lifeline:
- Instant Alerts: A single tap sends emergency signals to trusted contacts.
- Real-Time Location Sharing: Functions even in low-connectivity areas.
- Affordable Tiers: Ranging from a 30 basic model to a 200 enterprise solution.
“It’s not just a gadget; it’s peace of mind,” Kabali emphasizes.
Engineering Grit: From Prototypes to Market Readiness
SafeBangle’s journey wasn’t linear. The team burned through prototypes, teaching themselves firmware debugging and energy-efficient design.
“Failure wasn’t an option—it was a step,” Luminsa says.
Their persistence birthed a market-ready product now scaling across East Africa.
The Future: Hardware’s Rising Star
Kabali envisions SafeBangle following giants like Apple and Tesla.
“In 5–10 years, the most valuable companies will be hardware-driven,” he asserts.
With plans to expand regionally and refine AI integration, SafeBangle aims to dominate the safety-tech space.
