Uganda’s future innovators were on full display as hundreds of learners converged at Kabojja International School in Kampala on Thursday December 11, 2025 for the Third National STEM and Robotics Skills Competitions. The event has rapidly grown into one of the country’s most influential youth technology platforms.
Organised by Next Gen Restyling Limited under World Skills Federation Uganda, the challenge brought together 380 learners from 48 teams across 30 government, private and international schools.
The participants aged 4 to 25 years showcased cutting-edge ideas in robotics, electronics, engineering design and hackathon innovation.
Mellon Kenyangi, Founder of Next Gen Restyling Ltd said the race is more than an annual event but a deliberate investment in Uganda’s future workforce.
“We are building innovators, not job seekers. Below 18 is the largest population in this country. If we don’t nurture their ability to think, create and produce, that potential becomes a time bomb. This platform gives young people the confidence to solve real problems,” Kenyangi said.
Now in its third edition, the competition has evolved from a small, school-based challenge into a national STEM showcase, attracting both local and international attention.
This year’s edition featured eight winning teams, recognised as best innovators, engineers and creative thinkers, with top performers earning opportunities to represent Uganda in international STEM events in the United States and beyond.
Visiting teams from Maryland and Texas also participated, extending training to underserved communities, while student exchange programmes are already planned for Bushenyi and Sironko districts in 2026.
Despite its growth and national relevance, Kenyangi noted that the initiative still operates without consistent funding, relying largely on partnerships with American institutions.
“We keep talking about unemployment and a science-led economy, but innovation needs deliberate investment,” she said. “We are calling on government ministries, agencies and private partners to support platforms that are already delivering impact.”
GOVERNMENT BACKING FOR STEM MOMENTUM
The competition received strong endorsement from government stakeholders, reflecting Uganda’s broader push towards science, technology and innovation (STI).
Christine Mugimba, Director for ICT and Research at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), highlighted progress made through the Universal Communications Access Fund (UCUSAF), which has equipped over 1,000 secondary schools with ICT laboratories.
“We are not going to fall behind,” Mugimba said. “Robotics and AI are already here. Our role is to expose young people early and empower them to use technology to solve Uganda’s problems.”
She reaffirmed UCC’s commitment to ICT competitions, girls-in-ICT initiatives and teacher retooling to ensure inclusive participation in the digital economy.
From the education sector, Ronald Ddungu, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, explained that Uganda’s new lower-secondary curriculum prioritises project-based and applied learning, creating space for robotics, engineering kits and hands-on innovation.
“This curriculum moves learning from theory to practice, and competitions like this align perfectly with the direction we are taking,” he said.
SOLVING REAL PROBLEMS
The exhibition floor was alive with creativity as learners presented practical solutions to local challenges from environmental monitoring and healthcare automation to fossil preservation.
At the stand of Greenhill Primary School Buwate, pupils showcased an EcoSense Kit, a simple soil-moisture detection device aimed at preventing landslides.
Hackathon participants from Maryhill High School unveiled an autonomous caregiver system designed to support patient care and emergency response.
Teachers described the event as a living classroom, where physics, mathematics and engineering come to life.
“These are not just competitions; they are exhibitions of learning,” said Nicholas Kajoba, a teacher at Maryhill High School.
As Uganda positions itself for a science-driven economy, the National STEM and Robotics Skills Competitions stand out as a practical model for youth empowerment, bridging education, technology and industry exposure.
For Kenyangi and her team at Next Gen Restyling Ltd, the vision is to scale the platform, reach more schools, and ensure no young innovator is left behind.
“When we invest in these children today, we secure Uganda’s innovation economy tomorrow,” she said.
