Ultimate University Quiz builds national capacity for storytelling and identity

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OPINION

Bank of Uganda governor Michael Atingi-Ego, on Wednesday, flagged off Season Three of the Ultimate University Quiz, with a rallying call to universities to use it as a platform for nurturing future leaders. Below is his speech:

Good morning, valued partners — Vision Group, Uganda Communications Commission, National Environment Management Authority, our participating universities, brilliant students, and all distinguished guests.

There is a particular energy in these grounds today — the kind that comes from young minds eager to learn, compete, and innovate. It is the energy of possibility, the electricity of intellect, and the promise of tomorrow standing before us in flesh and blood. This is why we gather: Not merely to launch a quiz, but to celebrate the architects of Uganda’s future.

As the Bank of Uganda approaches its 60th anniversary — having safeguarded monetary stability since August 15, 1966 — we acknowledge a profound truth: Our success is measured not only by the policies we design or the numbers we track, but by the potential of the people we serve. That potential is standing right here, in this very room.

Beyond competition: a platform for transformation

The Ultimate University Quiz (TUUQ) is more than a competition — it is a crucible of critical thinking, a laboratory of leadership, and a workshop of wisdom. Indeed, we recognise that this programme can evolve into Uganda’s own celebration of intellectual excellence.

This quiz is not merely about answering questions — it is about the intense mental challenge and quick thinking under pressure. It demands focus, calmness, and the kind of rapid associative reasoning that defines exceptional minds. In an era where technology, sustainability, and global connectivity reshape economies at breakneck speed, these cognitive abilities will distinguish tomorrow’s leaders.

Consider this: The questions you grapple with in the quiz — whether about climate change, financial literacy, artificial intelligence, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution — are the very challenges that policymakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders wrestle with in boardrooms and parliaments across the globe.

By engaging with these topics now, you are not just preparing for a quiz; you are preparing to lead.

This multidisciplinary approach — spanning economics, environment, innovation, sports, trade, and global affairs — mirrors the interconnected nature of our modern world.

No challenge exists in isolation, and no solution emerges from narrow thinking. The agility of thought that TUUQ cultivates is precisely what Uganda needs as we navigate the complexities of the 21st century.

The power of partnership: synergy creates strength

None of this would be possible without the transformative power of collaboration. To our distinguished cosponsors — the National Environment Management Authority, the Uganda Communications Commission, Parliament and Harris International — your partnership exemplifies what we achieve when we transcend individual mandates and amplify collective impact.

As regulators working across sectors, we demonstrate that synergy creates strength. Margaret Mead once observed: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Today, we embody that truth.

To our steadfast partners at Vision Group: Your commitment over these past seasons showcases the enormous value of public-private partnerships.

I challenge both Vision Group and my own team at the Bank of Uganda to continually enhance this programme, making it richer, more impactful, and more aligned with our nation’s evolving aspirations.

Universities: cradles of intellectual capital

To the universities represented here today: You are the cradles of Uganda’s intellectual capital. Your participation in TUUQ provides a stage to showcase not merely the breadth of your curricula, but your capacity to produce well-rounded learners — students who can engage constructively with humanity’s knowledge and wisdom to create new meanings, spark creativity, and generate solutions.

TUUQ must embrace diversity and inclusion, ensuring representation across universities, disciplines, and student backgrounds. This is not about creating an elite enclave, but about democratising excellence and making intellectual achievement accessible to all. When we foster healthy competition among institutions, we strengthen our entire educational ecosystem.

This is about cultivating minds that do not just consume information, but transform it into innovation. In a world where the half-life of knowledge shrinks daily, you are preparing students who can learn, unlearn, and relearn — the ultimate competitive advantage. Through rigorous selection processes and clear eligibility standards, we ensure that TUUQ maintains its integrity while celebrating the very best of Uganda’s academic talent.

Beyond entertainment: building national capacity and cultural legacy

TUUQ also contributes to local content development on Ugandan television, pushing the boundaries of our film and media production industry.

This is not mere entertainment; it is an investment in our country’s capacity to tell our own stories — authentically, creatively, and powerfully — rather than allowing others to define us.

More profoundly, we hope that TUUQ will become Uganda’s own cultural institution — a programme that families gather to watch, creating shared experiences across generations and building lasting memories.

This quiz can foster a sense of community and belonging, creating memorable moments that anchor the program in our national consciousness.

Together, let us make TUUQ a national institution that celebrates knowledge and stimulates intellectual discourse beyond campus walls.

When we inspire younger students to aspire to university education and academic excellence, we multiply the programme’s impact exponentially.

When we showcase Uganda’s brightest talents on a national stage, we demonstrate to the world the calibre of minds our institutions produce.

In doing so, this programme helps drive our broader socio-economic transformation, inspiring excellence and nurturing a growth mindset in the next generation. When we control our narrative, we control our destiny. When we celebrate intellectual achievement publicly, we signal to society that knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking are among our highest values.

A challenge to the champions-in waiting

To the students competing today, I issue this clarion call: Seize this moment. The experience that awaits you is both exhilarating and transformative.

You will undergo a psychological journey from hopeful anticipation to intense focus, where your knowledge, composure, and personality will be on display before a national audience.

This is not merely about what you know — it is about how you think under pressure, how you collaborate with teammates, and how you represent not just yourselves, but your universities and our nation.

• Be curious. The urge to explore and understand is what drives new insights, inventions, or breakthroughs. Curiosity is the engine of discovery.
• Be bold. Trust in your ability to solve complex problems. Remember that quick recall and rapid associative reasoning distinguish exceptional minds from merely knowledgeable ones. l Be collaborative. The best solutions often emerge from listening as much as leading. In our interconnected world, no one succeeds alone.
• Be composed. The spotlight can be intense, but remember that how you handle pressure will serve you throughout your future career. Understand that participation in TUUQ can transform your identity — former contestants often gain lasting recognition and special status as champions of intellectual achievement.

This honour comes with responsibility: To inspire others, to continue learning, and to use your platform for positive change. Remember: The challenges you face in this quiz mirror those you will encounter in boardrooms, laboratories, and policy chambers — managing resources, navigating risks, seizing opportunities.

The intellectual muscles you flex here will serve you long after the final question is answered.

Our investment in tomorrow

At the Bank of Uganda, we believe that a thriving economy is built on a foundation of knowledge, adaptability, and innovation.

When we invest in initiatives like TUUQ, we invest in a generation that will drive Uganda forward. We recognise that financial literacy and critical thinking are essential for our nation’s prosperity, and programmes like this bridge gaps and open doors to that future.

The most resilient economies are those that embrace diverse perspectives and innovative thinking.

Whether you pursue careers in finance, technology, medicine, engineering, environmental science, or public service, your ability to analyse, adapt, and collaborate will be your greatest asset.

We encourage the involvement of alumni and past participants as mentors and coaches, creating a knowledge transfer between generations that strengthens the entire ecosystem of learning.

The prestige and honour associated with TUUQ will motivate not just participants, but countless observers who will see intellectual achievement celebrated and rewarded.

This is how we build a culture that values education, critical thinking, and academic excellence at every level of society.

The future belongs to the prepared

Ladies and gentlemen, as we launch Season Three of TUUQ, let us remember that the future belongs to those who are willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24, the Bible asks, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Therefore, run in such a way that you may win.” So prepare — and run — in a way that ensures victory. At the same time, remember this is more than a competition. TUUQ is a platform for transformation, a catalyst for collaboration, and a beacon of hope for Uganda’s tomorrow.

Declaration and closing

It is now my great honour and profound pleasure to officially declare that Season Three of The Ultimate University Quiz has launched.

To the participants: Give it your all.

To our partners: Thank you for making it possible.

To everyone here: Let us continue to champion platforms that empower our youth, for they are the ones who will write the next chapter of Uganda’s story.

May the most prepared university win. But more importantly, may everyone leave with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of what is possible when brilliant minds come together in pursuit of excellence.

The quiz begins. The future beckons.

Thank you. God bless!