First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, has lauded Young Engineers Uganda for successfully organizing Uganda’s inaugural National STEM and Vex Robotics Championship.
The event, held on November 29 at the National ICT Hub in Nakawa, brought together students from 23 schools and a home school team. Participants demonstrated their robotics skills and competed for a chance to represent Uganda at the prestigious Vex World Robotics Championship in Dallas, USA, scheduled for April 2025.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Commissioner for Secondary Schools, Mrs. Juliet Atuhaire Muzoora, the First Lady highlighted the championship’s alignment with the government’s agenda of promoting skilling programs and preparing youth for 21st-century challenges. She encouraged more schools to join future editions of the event, emphasizing the importance of nurturing Uganda’s next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem solvers.
Winning Schools Head to Global Stage
The four schools that excelled in the championship will represent Uganda at the Vex World Robotics Championship. These are:
- Daffodils Primary School and Acorns International School (winners of Vex IQ)
- The Stoneridge School and Soroti Municipal SS (winners of Vex V5)
Additionally, nine schools earned spots to compete in the International Greenwich Olympiad in the UK next year.
A Platform for Innovation
The event, organized by the African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) Ltd under its flagship brand Young Engineers Uganda, aims to equip Ugandan youth with critical STEM and robotics skills.
Arinaitwe Rugyendo, ASIST’s founder, emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and problem-solving among Uganda’s youth. He pointed out that Africa contributes minimally to global scientific knowledge, a gap initiatives like this championship aim to address.
Rugyendo advocated for a hands-on, project-based, and problem-solving approach to education, moving away from rote learning, which he said often leaves students disengaged.
Partnerships and Support
The championship was made possible through partnerships with organizations including UNDP, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of ICT, Vex Robotics, REC Foundation, Eaton Corporation, NEC-UPDF, Smart24 Television, Kazire Health Products Ltd, and Young Engineers Uganda.
Rugyendo appealed to the government, schools, and parents to support the initiative, noting its role in equipping Ugandan youth with skills essential for the modern workforce.
Celebrating Potential and Achievement
The championship was not only a platform for showcasing youth talent but also a celebration of Uganda’s potential in STEM. The First Lady praised the sponsors, educators, and parents who contributed to the event’s success, calling for continued efforts to inspire and empower young Ugandan innovators.
As Uganda’s representatives prepare for global competitions, the success of this championship marks a significant step toward positioning the nation as a hub for STEM excellence and innovation.
