Eight secondary schools from across Uganda will on August 29 converge at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, for the Grand Finale of the Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC) 2025, where the country’s brightest young innovators will compete for prizes worth over shs30 million.
The contest, themed the “Battle of Champions,” celebrates 10 years of Stanbic Bank Uganda’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program, which has become a cornerstone in fostering innovation, problem-solving, and business skills in the education system.
At stake is a shs20 million solar energy system for the winning school and a shs10 million water supply system for the runners-up. Other finalists will receive scholastic materials, while two students and a mentor from the overall champion team will enjoy an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Johannesburg, South Africa.
“This competition is not just about prizes. It’s about giving young Ugandans the tools, platforms, and confidence to solve real-world problems,” said Mumba, a program official.
Since its inception in 2015, the NSC has reached more than 500,000 students, supported over 200 youth-led enterprises, and positioned itself as a key driver of Stanbic Bank’s Women, Youth, and Farmers (WYF) growth agenda under its 2025–2028 strategy.
“These innovations show us what’s possible when we invest in youth, not just as customers, but as co-creators of Uganda’s economic future,” noted Cathy Adengo, Head of Sustainability at Stanbic Bank Uganda.
This year’s edition began with more than 150 schools and 500 students submitting projects in areas ranging from health technology to sustainable energy. After a national bootcamp and elimination rounds, eight schools advanced to the grand stage.
The finalists
St. Noah SSS Mawaggali (Central) designed WalkMate Smart Glasses combining a locator, smart cane, and wearable tech to assist the visually impaired.
Summayya High School (Central) created a UTI early detection kit targeting preventive healthcare for young women.
Sacred Heart SS Mushanga (Western) developed an automated water pumping and purification system, while Ibanda SS produced insect-repellent candles from coffee grounds and cloves.
St. Mary’s Girls SS Mandera (Eastern) designed a non-invasive glucose testing kit using urine samples, while Musana Vocational High School (Eastern) engineered the MK Independent Power Source, a prototype that generates electricity without reliance on fuel, wind, or solar.
Comboni College Lira (Northern) introduced a smoke-free electric generator for rural communities, while Mentor Secondary School (Northern) built an automated IV monitoring system to improve hospital efficiency.
The finalists will pitch their innovations before a panel of experts, investors, and policymakers. Projects will be evaluated for innovation, sustainability, scalability, and impact.
“Each of these teams has demonstrated the potential to become real entrepreneurs, not just participants in a school project,” Adengo said. “This is what transformation looks like — and Stanbic is proud to be part of it.”
With youth unemployment still among Uganda’s toughest challenges, the championship underscores the role of education-driven entrepreneurship in shaping the country’s future.
