From Participant to Organizer: Hosting the First Hacktoberfest Event in the DRC 🇨🇩

Jules MUKADI — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 12:47:59 +0000

From Applying Just for Fun to Hosting the First Hacktoberfest Event in the DRC 🇨🇩

My journey as a first-time Hacktoberfest host, from an unexpected acceptance to bringing open source closer to developers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sometimes, the best experiences begin with something you don't take too seriously.

That was exactly how my journey as a Hacktoberfest organizer started.

It started with a simple application

I've been participating in Hacktoberfest every year since 2024. Over time, it became more than just an opportunity to contribute to open source projects. It was a way to learn, collaborate with developers around the world, and discover the value of open source.

So, when I came across the opportunity to host a Hacktoberfest event, I decided to apply.

Honestly? I applied just for fun.

I wanted to try something new, see what would happen, and perhaps gain some experience. I wasn't particularly expecting a positive response.

I even remember reading the program guidelines and wondering whether organizers from my country could participate, considering the geographical restrictions and eligibility conditions mentioned in the documentation.

I submitted my application anyway.

Then, one day, something unexpected happened: the Hacktoberfest team contacted me by email with information about our event and a list of items included in the event kit.

That was the moment it became real.

I was no longer just someone who had submitted an application. I was about to organize a Hacktoberfest event in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

From an unexpected opportunity to a real responsibility

We actually had plenty of time to prepare for the event, which was scheduled for October 31, 2026.

But knowing that this would be my first experience as a host made everything feel different.

I had participated in Hacktoberfest before, but organizing an event is another experience entirely.

There was a community to mobilize, participants to introduce to open source, activities to prepare, and an entire event to bring together.

As Training Lead at DevCom_UPL, I was particularly excited about the educational aspect of the experience.

I wanted people to understand that open source isn't reserved for experienced developers or people working in big technology companies.

You can start learning, contributing, collaborating, and building things with others, even as a student.

October 31, 2026: Our first Hacktoberfest Hack Day

The day finally arrived.

Together with DevCom_UPL, we organized Hacktoberfest Hack Day – Lubumbashi, our first in-person Hacktoberfest event.

It was a special moment for our community.

We welcomed students, developers, newcomers, and people interested in discovering the open-source ecosystem.

One of the things that made me particularly happy was seeing some of my colleagues and other university students discover open source and understand how they could become part of it.

We also had participants from outside our immediate community, which made the experience even more meaningful.

For a first edition, I have to say: it was a success!

Of course, organizing an event comes with its challenges. Not everything goes exactly as planned. But seeing people collaborate, learn from one another, and get involved made all the preparation worthwhile.

And personally, I was incredibly happy.

I had gone from participating in Hacktoberfest every year since 2024 to becoming the host of an event in my own country.

More than an event: an invitation to other communities

What makes this experience even more meaningful to me is what it represents for the developer ecosystem in the DRC.

To the best of our knowledge, this was the first in-person Hacktoberfest event of its kind in the country.

I sincerely hope this will inspire other developer communities, student clubs, and technology groups across the DRC to organize their own open-source activities.

I would love to see more communities participating, more students discovering open source, and more developers sharing their knowledge.

I don't want to remain the only person organizing this kind of event in the country.

I want this to become something bigger than DevCom_UPL.

Imagine different communities across the DRC organizing their own Hacktoberfest events, bringing developers together, helping beginners make their first contributions, and creating opportunities to collaborate.

That is the kind of ecosystem I would love to see grow.

A few thank-yous

First, thank you to the Hacktoberfest team for trusting us with this opportunity and making it possible for us to participate as organizers.

Thank you to DevCom_UPL and everyone who contributed to making this event happen.

And most importantly, thank you to every participant who showed up, learned something new, collaborated, and helped make this first edition memorable.

You made this experience worthwhile.

What's next?

This experience has reminded me of something important: you don't always need to have everything figured out before taking an opportunity.

Sometimes, you simply apply, take a chance, and discover what you're capable of along the way.

I'm proud that we took this step in Lubumbashi, and I'm looking forward to seeing more open-source initiatives emerge across the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

To every developer community in the DRC: the next Hacktoberfest event could be yours.

Let's build, learn, and contribute together.

Jules Mukadi

Training Lead at DevCom_UPL | Software Engineering Student | Open Source Enthusiast

From Shadow to Code: My Journey in Tech

Jules MUKADI — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:33:23 +0000

This is a submission for the WeCoded Challenge: Echoes of Experience

I wasn't supposed to be here.

At least, that's what I was made to feel. When I first said I wanted to be a developer, people laughed at me. "You didn't go to a prestigious school," "You need connections to succeed in this field," "Tech isn't for everyone."

But I had a used computer, a bank internet connection, and a determination that no one could extinguish.

The Beginnings: Self-Taught
I didn't have access to mentors at first. My first teacher was YouTube; my first exercises were lines of code I copied and pasted without understanding why they worked. The nights were long, sometimes frustrating, but every little bug I solved was a victory.

Then I discovered open-source communities and forums. I learned that tech was an ecosystem where we could progress by helping each other. So I started contributing, asking questions (even the stupidest ones), and answering when I could. Little by little, I found my place.

The first challenge: Proving my worth
Finding a first job or even an internship was an insurmountable barrier. No computer science degree? No one even looks at you. No experience? No one answers you.

So I changed my strategy. I built personal projects, published my code on GitHub, and shared my progress on LinkedIn. It was a living portfolio, tangible proof that I knew how to code.

One day, a recruiter contacted me. "We've seen what you do, are you interested in taking a technical test?"

It was my moment.

Successes and the desire to give back
I landed my first job. Then another. I learned, I grew. But above all, I understood one thing: many talented people remain in the shadows due to a lack of opportunities, not a lack of skills.

Today, I take the time to mentor beginners. I try to be the person I wish I had met at the beginning.

Reflections for a more inclusive sector
Tech has the power to change lives, but it needs to become more inclusive. Here are some ideas:
✅ Recruit differently: Don't judge solely on degrees, but on actual skills.
✅ Encourage minorities: Caring environments make all the difference.
✅ Demystify apprenticeships: Tech isn't reserved for an elite few; it belongs to those who are ready to learn.

My journey isn't unique. There are thousands of hidden talents waiting to be given a chance.

DEV Community: Jules MUKADI