Education
Future belongs to hardworking young people — Bank of Uganda's Waiswa
“If you are the one to replace me when I clock retirement, are you ready? Do you have the skills? If you have the skills, do you have the zeal and motivation?"
Bank of Uganda's head of stakeholder engagement Jonah Waiswa takes students of Lira University through an orientation session for Season 4 of The Ultimate University Quiz at the university campus in Lira City on August 24, 2026. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
By: Godfrey Ojore, Journalist @New Vision
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ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY QUIZ SEASON 4
📍 Lira City
University students have been urged to invest extra effort in their studies, with the Bank of Uganda saying the future belongs to young people who are committed to achieving their goals.
Jonah Waiswa (pictured below), the bank's head of stakeholder engagement, made the call on Monday (August 24) during the orientation of Lira University students for Season 4 of The Ultimate University Quiz.
He said the Central Bank partnered with Vision Group in the annual competition as a platinum sponsor because it targets university students who will eventually take over leadership and professional roles as the current workforce retires.
In his clarion call, Waiswa urged students to focus on becoming well-rounded graduates with the skills, motivation and determination required in the job market.
“If you are the one to replace me when I clock retirement, are you ready? Do you have the skills? If you have the skills, do you have the zeal and motivation?” he said during the orientation in Uganda's northern city of Lira.
Waiswa told the attendees that the quiz provides contestants with an opportunity to develop teamwork, quick-thinking and innovation skills, which are important beyond the classroom.
He used the platform to explain the Central Bank’s mandate, which includes maintaining macroeconomic stability.
“We are encouraging you as young people that the world is for you. You are young, you have an open cheque and you have a lot to do with your life. Unfortunately, some of you are doing a lot of nothing."
▪️ Busitema University sets sights on Season 4 title
In a candid tone, Waiswa cautioned students against wasting their time and money on activities such as pornography, sports betting and pyramid schemes, stressing that success requires hard work.
“When you are in your rooms, you are watching porn; if you are not watching porn, you are on sports betting. The other day, I saw a lot of young people crying after losing money in pyramid schemes. Nothing good comes without hard work."
Waiswa added that the knowledge, skills and advice students gain through the quiz and its orientation sessions could provide lessons that are difficult to acquire in a classroom setting.
Besides Bank of Uganda, the other sponsors of this season's competition include the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Turkish Airlines.
Data wastage
During the orientation, Edgar Francis Ssegujja, UCC’s Senior Officer for North-Eastern Region, cautioned students against unnecessary data consumption, telling them to be wary of applications running in the background.
“Young people complain that they load data and within two minutes it is gone. This is an issue caused by having background applications running on your phone,” he said.
He advised students to close applications they are not using because some automatically update while others back up information to Google accounts, consuming data in the process.
▪️ Soroti University on quest for ultimate glory
Ssegujja (pictured above) also introduced students to the commission’s SIM Clear system, which he said enables people to report stolen or lost phones.
“The SIM Clear system enables you to report a stolen phone, and that phone is blocked from accessing any network in Uganda because it is a central equipment identity registry."
'You ought to pay taxes'
On his part, URA Tax Education Officer Derrick Muhire encouraged students to work hard, revealing that the tax body provides internship opportunities to outstanding students.
He said The Ultimate University Quiz is one of the platforms through which bright students can showcase their abilities both academically and outside the lecture room.
Besides Bank of Uganda, the other sponsors of this season's competition include the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Turkish Airlines.
Data wastage
During the orientation, Edgar Francis Ssegujja, UCC’s Senior Officer for North-Eastern Region, cautioned students against unnecessary data consumption, telling them to be wary of applications running in the background.
“Young people complain that they load data and within two minutes it is gone. This is an issue caused by having background applications running on your phone,” he said.
He advised students to close applications they are not using because some automatically update while others back up information to Google accounts, consuming data in the process.
▪️ Soroti University on quest for ultimate glory
Ssegujja (pictured above) also introduced students to the commission’s SIM Clear system, which he said enables people to report stolen or lost phones.
“The SIM Clear system enables you to report a stolen phone, and that phone is blocked from accessing any network in Uganda because it is a central equipment identity registry."
'You ought to pay taxes'
On his part, URA Tax Education Officer Derrick Muhire encouraged students to work hard, revealing that the tax body provides internship opportunities to outstanding students.
He said The Ultimate University Quiz is one of the platforms through which bright students can showcase their abilities both academically and outside the lecture room.
Muhire (pictured above) reminded students that after university, some would seek employment while others would venture into business, therefore urging them to embrace their tax obligations once they start earning an income.
“You ought to pay taxes because that is how the Government gets money to run services that help us. Do not think of evading taxes because, as a commission, we have the ability to track you down."
Meanwhile, Lira University warden Ambrose Abila Duca, said the university participates in the quiz to give students an opportunity to acquire diverse skills that can help them after graduation.
He challenged students to take their studies seriously, saying employers value competence and excellence.
“The sponsors have stated that they do not employ dull employees. To serve under the university, you have to be the cream.
"If you are getting poor grades, come and see whether they can offer you any job here, including being a cleaner," said Abila (pictured below, C).
Prizes and pride
Just as in previous seasons, the university that will reign supreme as champion will get a trophy and equipment worth sh25 million.
Each contestant and coach of the winning university will also receive a cash reward of sh1 million and a brand-new laptop.
The first runner-up (second place) university will receive equipment worth sh15 million and each contestant and coach will walk away with a sh500,000 cash reward and a laptop.
The second runner-up (third place) university will be rewarded with equipment worth sh10 million and each contestant and coach will get a sh400,000 cash reward and a tablet.
The third runner-up (fourth place) university will receive equipment worth sh5 million and each contestant and coach will receive a sh300,000 cash reward.
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) was the champion of the inaugural season, Gulu University took the title in the second season while Uganda Christian University (UCU) is the reigning champion.
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“You ought to pay taxes because that is how the Government gets money to run services that help us. Do not think of evading taxes because, as a commission, we have the ability to track you down."
Meanwhile, Lira University warden Ambrose Abila Duca, said the university participates in the quiz to give students an opportunity to acquire diverse skills that can help them after graduation.
He challenged students to take their studies seriously, saying employers value competence and excellence.
“The sponsors have stated that they do not employ dull employees. To serve under the university, you have to be the cream.
"If you are getting poor grades, come and see whether they can offer you any job here, including being a cleaner," said Abila (pictured below, C).
Prizes and pride
Just as in previous seasons, the university that will reign supreme as champion will get a trophy and equipment worth sh25 million.
Each contestant and coach of the winning university will also receive a cash reward of sh1 million and a brand-new laptop.
The first runner-up (second place) university will receive equipment worth sh15 million and each contestant and coach will walk away with a sh500,000 cash reward and a laptop.
The second runner-up (third place) university will be rewarded with equipment worth sh10 million and each contestant and coach will get a sh400,000 cash reward and a tablet.
The third runner-up (fourth place) university will receive equipment worth sh5 million and each contestant and coach will receive a sh300,000 cash reward.
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) was the champion of the inaugural season, Gulu University took the title in the second season while Uganda Christian University (UCU) is the reigning champion.
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