At Mbarara University, the university quiz fever is back!

_______________________
ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY QUIZ SEASON 4 ORIENTATION

📍 Mbarara City

An imposing gate stands tall, beckoning visitors into the sprawling compound of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).

As you drive through the entrance into the university’s main campus in Kihumuro, the first impression is one of order and calm. The compound is neatly trimmed, the surroundings clean and the modern buildings glistening under the afternoon sun.

The farther you drive in, the more the quietness of the campus gives way to the unmistakable rhythm of university life students moving between lecture rooms, lecturers hurrying to their classes and groups of learners exchanging conversations along the walkways.

Near the main building housing the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology stands a statue of the university’s founding vice-chancellor, Prof. Frederick J.B. Kayanja.

For a moment, the statue seems to offer a reminder of the institution’s intellectual heritage, a fitting welcome to a university whose students are now preparing to test their knowledge against some of the brightest minds from universities across the country.

“You are welcome! Lectures are on, but your presence and your plan to meet the students are known to the university’s top leadership as well as the lecturers. Feel free and join me,” says Angella Nakato (pictured below, left), the university's quiz coach.

Inside the lecture rooms, the academic engine of MUST is running at full speed.

Lecturers are deep into their lessons, imparting knowledge to students preparing for life beyond the university gates. Yet on this particular day (September 3), there is another lesson waiting to be taught; one that stretches beyond the walls of the classroom.

A team from Vision Group and partners, led by project lead Max Adii, has arrived at the university to orient students for the fourth season of The Ultimate University Quiz, scheduled for October.

▪️Mountains of the Moon enters quiz with winning spirit

Warm reception

Lecturers readily pause their lessons to allow the team to engage students, while Nakato moves around with the excitement of a coach preparing her team for a major contest.

For MUST, The Ultimate University Quiz is hardly a new subject. The university has history in the competition. It was the inaugural champion of the quiz in 2023 and the representatives have previously demonstrated that they can hold their own against some of the country’s leading universities.

“We have recharged for Season Four. Meet my students and hear their readiness,” says a visibly excited Nakato as she invites Adii to address the students.

Adii takes the opportunity to explain the competition, its prizes and, more importantly, the opportunities it presents to students beyond the classroom.

But just when the students appear to have heard enough about what could be won, a familiar face arrives. Stewart Agaba, a former participant who was part of the MUST team that lifted the trophy, walks into the room.

Suddenly, Adii’s job becomes easier.

Agaba (pictured below) needs no introduction to the students. He takes the stage and begins narrating a story that transforms the quiz from an academic contest into a platform that can change lives.

▪️ West Nile pride at stake as Muni University eyes quiz crown

“If I hadn’t been exposed through that quiz, answering those sports questions, trust me, I wouldn’t have been re-elected for the second time as chairperson of the students’ Sports and Games Union,” says the fifth year student of medicine.

He takes pride in becoming the first student at MUST to hold the position for two terms since the university’s establishment.

▪️ Why digital is the new 'sexy' trend for students

For Agaba, the quiz was not merely about answering questions correctly or helping his university accumulate points. It was an opportunity to discover abilities and open doors that he may not have found through his academic programme alone.

He challenges students to embrace the competition with the same spirit.

“I implore you to join the quiz competition. As students, do not put all your eggs in one basket. You might find out after university that you can work in a field which is not your area of specialisation, and all that can be possible by taking part in activities such as this quiz."

Agaba's message appears to resonate.

▪️ 'Future belongs to hardworking young people'

Around the lecture room, students listen attentively, some nodding in agreement while others appear to weigh the possibility of putting their names forward for the competition.

Among them is Joseph Sseruuma, who believes the quiz provides students with a rare opportunity to measure themselves against their peers from other institutions.

“I appreciate Vision Group for introducing the quiz that brings universities together. It is the only platform where we can gauge our capacities and learn from others. Since we won the first season trophy, we return stronger and ready to take the trophy for the second time,” he says.

MUST finished third in Season Two. That performance, combined with its triumph in the inaugural season, has given the university a reputation that could make its return in Season Four a concern for rival institutions.

The university administration is equally behind the students.

University secretary Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora (pictured below, left) commended Vision Group for organising the competition and pledged the institution’s support as the students prepare for the contest.

▪️ Soroti University on quest for ultimate glory

Beyond the quiz

The orientation is not solely about preparing students to answer questions.

It also becomes an opportunity for the competition’s partners to engage the learners on issues that affect their lives both inside and outside the university.

Bank of Uganda, the platinum sponsor of the Ultimate University Quiz, has previously supported MUST by donating computers to its ICT department. The central bank is also expected to support the university’s greening efforts through a tree donation.

Andrew Elwana (pictured below) from the bank's communications department urges students to embrace the quiz because it broadens their understanding beyond their areas of specialisation.

▪️ Busitema University sets sights on Season 4 title

“The quiz will expose students to knowledge beyond what they get in their different academic programmes,” says Elwana.

Jude Mulindwa (pictured below), the southwestern regional manager of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), another one of the sponsors of the competition, uses the opportunity to tackle another side of modern university life: the digital world.

Mulindwa takes the students through issues on e-waste management, misinformation and online fraud, including how to deal with mobile-money fraudsters and report cases to the relevant authorities.

Derrick Muhire (pictured below) a tax education officer from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), another sponsor, introduces students to changes in the country’s tax administration, including the replacing of Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs).

“This is something that the students need to be aware of before they get out of university because that is the only way every citizen will be compliant,” he says.

As the orientation winds down, the atmosphere inside the university remains charged.

For some students, it is the prospect of winning the trophy. For others, it is the chance to discover themselves, gain confidence and perhaps find opportunities beyond their degree programmes.

And for MUST, there is something more personal at stake. The university has been here before. It has tasted victory. Now, after sitting out Season Three and watching Uganda Christian University (UCU) lift the trophy, the former champion is well and truly back!

The message from the university is clear: MUST is not returning merely to participate. It is coming for the trophy.

The Ultimate University Quiz is organised by Vision Group, with the Bank of Uganda as platinum sponsor alongside UCC, URA, Turkish Airlines, Parliament of Uganda and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Uganda.
_____________________________