Education
20 universities to battle in Season Four Quiz
The universities, drawn from across the country, will compete in the televised contest beginning October 3 on Vision Group platforms and UBC TV, testing students on knowledge, teamwork and their ability to reason under pressure.
Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego, who was the chief guest at the launch, said the competition was important because Uganda's future economic growth would depend on how well the country develops and uses its young population. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
By: John Musenze, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Twenty universities have lined up to battle in the 2026 fourth edition of the Ultimate University Quiz organised by Vision Group, expanding the competition from the 16 institutions that participated in its inaugural season in 2023.
The universities, drawn from across the country, will compete in the televised contest beginning October 3 on Vision Group platforms and UBC TV, testing students on knowledge, teamwork and their ability to reason under pressure.
Speaking at the launch held at the Bank of Uganda headquarters, Vision Group chief executive officer Don Wanyama said the increase in participation showed the competition had earned universities' confidence since it launched three years ago. (All Photos by Miriam Namutebi)
Speaking at the launch held at the Bank of Uganda headquarters, Vision Group chief executive officer Don Wanyama said the increase in participation showed the competition had earned universities' confidence since it launched three years ago.
“When we started in 2023, 16 universities found the faith and courage to demonstrate their wit and knowledge on national television,” Wanyama said.
This year's edition brings together 20 chartered universities, with organisers saying the competition has continued to grow in reach and popularity.
According to Wanyama, the 2025 third season generated 3.15 billion views across Vision Group's digital platforms, while more than 25,000 unique authors produced over 95,000 messages and 59,000 interactions related to the quiz.
The overall winner will receive a trophy and equipment worth Sh25m, while each contestant and the coach will receive a laptop and Sh1m in cash.
The first runner-up will receive university equipment worth Sh15m, with each contestant and coach receiving a laptop and Sh500,000. The second runner-up will get equipment worth Sh10m, while contestants and the coach will receive tablets and Sh400,000 each.
The fourth-placed university will receive equipment worth Sh5m, with each contestant and coach receiving Sh300,000.
The Vision Group MD said the competition had also attracted new partners, including Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Capital Markets Authority (CMA), joining the Bank of Uganda, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Parliament and Turkish Airlines.
The fourth season of the Ultimate University Quiz will begin airing on Vision Group platforms and UBC from October 3, with the competition bringing together universities from different regions in a battle for academic honours.
BOU links quiz to economic future
Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego, who was the chief guest at the launch, said the competition was important because Uganda's future economic growth would depend on how well the country develops and uses its young population.
He said more than 70% of Uganda's population is below the age of 30, making investment in young people's knowledge and skills critical to the country's development.
“Uganda's true wealth is not only measured in shillings and reserves but also in the minds we nurture and the knowledge we cultivate,” Atingi-Ego said.
He said the skills tested by the quiz, including reasoning, weighing evidence, questioning assumptions and working under pressure, were the same skills needed to drive Uganda's future prosperity.
The governor also challenged the students to use the competition to prepare themselves for life beyond university. He urged them to ask questions boldly, reason rigorously, and work as teams, saying Uganda's future would not be built by individuals working in isolation.
Atingi-Ego also announced that teams reaching the finals would be offered four internship positions, adding a career-development dimension to the competition.
“The four team winners that get to the finals will be offered four internship positions,” Atingi-Ego announced.
He said the aim was not merely for students to answer tax questions correctly but to trigger conversations about why taxes are paid, how the tax system works and taxpayers' rights and obligations.
“We want the answer to a question to cause another conversation, maybe in their lecture theatre, maybe at their hostel, maybe at home, online and eventually in the workplace,” Masembe said.
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has also joined the competition as it marks 30 years of existence, with the partnership expected to strengthen students' understanding of investment and capital markets.
Lyn Tukei, the Head PR & Communications at the authority, commended Vision Group for bringing up a competition that brings together brilliant minds across Uganda’s top universities.
“At CMA, our mission is to nurture and develop Uganda’s capital markets, ensuring that there's a fair, efficient and transparent capital market. This quiz creates a platform that does something very important, giving young Ugandans an opportunity to demonstrate not only what they know but also how they think, analyse information and how they can confidently apply this knowledge,” she said.
Tukei encouraged the young people to invest because the greatest investment they have now is time, and so they should invest in money-making ventures like unit trusts.
Turkish Airlines opens global exposure
Turkish Airlines has joined the competition with an offer aimed at rewarding the coaches of the best-performing teams.
According to Saidi Bagoth Muhammad, the Corporate Sales and Marketing Representative, Turkish Airlines said the airline will provide fully paid return economy-class tickets to the coaches of the top three universities, allowing them to travel to any destination within its network.
“Education and travel both open minds to new ideas, cultures and opportunities. Through this partnership, we want to reward excellence while encouraging students and universities to think globally and embrace opportunities beyond Uganda,” Bagoth said.
Atingi-Ego also announced that teams reaching the finals would be offered four internship positions, adding a career-development dimension to the competition.
“The four team winners that get to the finals will be offered four internship positions,” Atingi-Ego announced.
| 1 | Busitema University |
| 2 | Soroti University |
| 3 | Lira University |
| 4 | Gulu University |
| 5 | Muni University |
| 6 | Mountains of the Moon University |
| 7 | Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi |
| 8 | Mbarara University of Science & Technology |
| 9 | Bishop Stuart University Mbarara |
| 10 | Kabale University |
| 11 | Ndejje University |
| 12 | Makerere University |
| 13 | International University of East Africa |
| 14 | Bugema University |
| 15 | Kyambogo University |
| 16 | Uganda Christian University |
| 17 | Nkumba University |
| 18 | ISBAT University |
| 19 | Kampala University |
| 20 | University of Kisubi |
He called on employers and the private sector to invest in young people through mentorship, internships and practical exposure so that Uganda's youthful population could become an economic dividend.
Financial literacy, tax education
The participation of the Bank of Uganda, URA and CMA will also introduce a stronger focus on economics and financial literacy during this year's competition.
Wanyama said the partnership between the three institutions would give students exposure to areas such as banking, taxation, investment and financial markets.
URA acting manager for tax education, Michael Masembe, said the authority is going to use the quiz to make tax education more engaging among young Ugandans.
Atingi-Ego also announced that teams reaching the finals would be offered four internship positions, adding a career-development dimension to the competition.
He said the aim was not merely for students to answer tax questions correctly but to trigger conversations about why taxes are paid, how the tax system works and taxpayers' rights and obligations.
“We want the answer to a question to cause another conversation, maybe in their lecture theatre, maybe at their hostel, maybe at home, online and eventually in the workplace,” Masembe said.
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has also joined the competition as it marks 30 years of existence, with the partnership expected to strengthen students' understanding of investment and capital markets.
Lyn Tukei, the Head PR & Communications at the authority, commended Vision Group for bringing up a competition that brings together brilliant minds across Uganda’s top universities.
“At CMA, our mission is to nurture and develop Uganda’s capital markets, ensuring that there's a fair, efficient and transparent capital market. This quiz creates a platform that does something very important, giving young Ugandans an opportunity to demonstrate not only what they know but also how they think, analyse information and how they can confidently apply this knowledge,” she said.
Tukei encouraged the young people to invest because the greatest investment they have now is time, and so they should invest in money-making ventures like unit trusts.
Turkish Airlines opens global exposure
Turkish Airlines has joined the competition with an offer aimed at rewarding the coaches of the best-performing teams.
According to Saidi Bagoth Muhammad, the Corporate Sales and Marketing Representative, Turkish Airlines said the airline will provide fully paid return economy-class tickets to the coaches of the top three universities, allowing them to travel to any destination within its network.
Bagoth said the partnership was intended to link education with global exposure and opportunities. He also announced a 15% discount for students and academics from participating universities, alongside additional travel benefits.
“Education and travel both open minds to new ideas, cultures and opportunities. Through this partnership, we want to reward excellence while encouraging students and universities to think globally and embrace opportunities beyond Uganda,” Bagoth said.
“The top three coaches will be given a return ticket to their own chosen destination,” he added.
Bagoth said the partnership was intended to link education with global exposure and opportunities. He also announced a 15% discount for students and academics from participating universities, alongside additional travel benefits.
Turkish Airlines currently connects Uganda to its global network through Istanbul and operates 11 flights a week to Entebbe, according to Bagoth.
Industry and environment added
Harris International has also pledged to use the competition to expose students to manufacturing and local value addition. Philip Kiboijana, the company's brand manager, said the company was considering making industrialisation and manufacturing a dedicated subject area in future editions.
Harris also plans to open its manufacturing plant to participating universities, allowing students to see modern manufacturing processes and understand local value addition beyond what they learn in classrooms, according to Kiboijana.
Kiboijana said the company also sees opportunities for internships, research and career pathways emerging from the partnership.
Isaac Mugabi, a senior environmental assessment officer and Uganda's national focal point for the Montreal Protocol at NEMA, said that they have introduced an inclusive environmental component to the competition, which would deepen students' understanding of environmental issues beyond wetlands and other commonly discussed areas.
Mugabi also announced a special window for students with disabilities to participate in the environmental component, saying they too could contribute to environmental stewardship.
“Students with disabilities have an important role to play in protecting our environment. We want to give them an opportunity to participate, contribute their ideas and show that environmental stewardship is everyone’s responsibility,” Mugabi said.
The fourth season of the Ultimate University Quiz will begin airing on Vision Group platforms and UBC from October 3, with the competition bringing together universities from different regions in a battle for academic honours.
The new university entrants include Kisubi University, Nkumba University, and Mountain of the Moon University, on top of the 17 others that have joined in the last competitions.
Godfrey Mutabaazi, the director of Nex Studios and former UCC, who will do the quiz production, commended Vision Group for bringing a fresh idea to Uganda.
“This kind of quiz challenge was in the UK. I have said this for more than 20 years, 10 years at the Broadcasting Council and another 10 years at UCC, that content creation is one of the things that will transform this nation,” he said.
UCC said it was proud to support the fourth season of the Ultimate University Quiz, describing the competition as more than an academic contest. The commission said the platform gives young Ugandans an opportunity to build knowledge, confidence and skills that can open doors beyond university.
“This platform is about knowledge, building confidence and putting opportunities in the hands of young Ugandans. We are proud to be part of an initiative that gives our young people a chance to demonstrate what they know,” Bossa said.
Bossa congratulated Vision Group for sustaining the initiative and welcomed the new partners, particularly the Uganda Revenue Authority. He said partnerships were important in keeping the competition going and expanding the opportunities available to participating students.
Bagoth said the partnership was intended to link education with global exposure and opportunities. He also announced a 15% discount for students and academics from participating universities, alongside additional travel benefits.
Turkish Airlines currently connects Uganda to its global network through Istanbul and operates 11 flights a week to Entebbe, according to Bagoth.
Industry and environment added
Harris International has also pledged to use the competition to expose students to manufacturing and local value addition. Philip Kiboijana, the company's brand manager, said the company was considering making industrialisation and manufacturing a dedicated subject area in future editions.
Harris also plans to open its manufacturing plant to participating universities, allowing students to see modern manufacturing processes and understand local value addition beyond what they learn in classrooms, according to Kiboijana.
Kiboijana said the company also sees opportunities for internships, research and career pathways emerging from the partnership.
The overall winner will receive a trophy and equipment worth Sh25m, while each contestant and the coach will receive a laptop and Sh1m in cash.
Isaac Mugabi, a senior environmental assessment officer and Uganda's national focal point for the Montreal Protocol at NEMA, said that they have introduced an inclusive environmental component to the competition, which would deepen students' understanding of environmental issues beyond wetlands and other commonly discussed areas.
Mugabi also announced a special window for students with disabilities to participate in the environmental component, saying they too could contribute to environmental stewardship.
“Students with disabilities have an important role to play in protecting our environment. We want to give them an opportunity to participate, contribute their ideas and show that environmental stewardship is everyone’s responsibility,” Mugabi said.
The fourth season of the Ultimate University Quiz will begin airing on Vision Group platforms and UBC from October 3, with the competition bringing together universities from different regions in a battle for academic honours.
The new university entrants include Kisubi University, Nkumba University, and Mountain of the Moon University, on top of the 17 others that have joined in the last competitions.
Godfrey Mutabaazi, the director of Nex Studios and former UCC, who will do the quiz production, commended Vision Group for bringing a fresh idea to Uganda.
“This kind of quiz challenge was in the UK. I have said this for more than 20 years, 10 years at the Broadcasting Council and another 10 years at UCC, that content creation is one of the things that will transform this nation,” he said.
UCC said it was proud to support the fourth season of the Ultimate University Quiz, describing the competition as more than an academic contest. The commission said the platform gives young Ugandans an opportunity to build knowledge, confidence and skills that can open doors beyond university.
“This platform is about knowledge, building confidence and putting opportunities in the hands of young Ugandans. We are proud to be part of an initiative that gives our young people a chance to demonstrate what they know,” Bossa said.
Bossa congratulated Vision Group for sustaining the initiative and welcomed the new partners, particularly the Uganda Revenue Authority. He said partnerships were important in keeping the competition going and expanding the opportunities available to participating students.