Uganda’s young innovators drive stem transformation at robotics challenge

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Over 380 young innovators from curious primary pupils to ambitious university learners took over Kabojja International School on December 11, 2025, for Uganda’s third National STEM and Robotics Skills Competition.

The event, organised by World Skills Uganda in partnership with Next Gen Restyling Ltd, saw student-built robots and tech prototypes tackling pressing real-world challenges from mining safety and sewer inspection to medical caregiving, fossil preservation and landslide prevention. 

As the country pushes towards a technology-driven economy, the competition is emerging as a platform for nurturing future engineers, coders and problem-solvers who turn classroom theory into practical solutions.

This year’s edition featured the first LEGO League robotics challenge, hackathons, engineering design, innovation pitching and electronics-based projects.

Across the venue, ten-year-old Yansika Sah from Shree Sahajanand School presented a fossil cooling and preservation system to protect archaeological bones from heat damage.

From Greenhill Primary School Buwate, Aitasi Jaiden Michelle demonstrated her team’s “EcoSense Kit,” which detects soil moisture to prevent landslides using simple but clever circuitry.

“We promote teamwork and inclusion. Everyone contributes ideas and we choose the best together,” she said.

In the hackathon category, Pearl Nsiimire from Maryhill High School pitched an autonomous caregiving system that dispenses medication, monitors emergencies, and alerts caregivers remotely.

“Robotics is my dream career because it solves many challenges we face today,” she said.

Uganda should not be left behind

Amid the excitement, government officials emphasised the national importance of expanding STEM learning.

Ronald Ddungu, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said the new lower-secondary curriculum was designed to promote hands-on learning through projects like robotics, engineering and innovation.

“This curriculum focuses on the application of what we learn from theory into practice,” he said.

Dgungu added that the ministry has equipped 100 centres of excellence with ICT tools and provided 1,400 schools with laptops, projectors and screens, while SESEMAT continues training teachers in practical science delivery.

Representing the UCC executive director, ICT and research director Christine Mugimba said the Commission has equipped over 1,000 secondary schools with ICT laboratories through UCUSAF, giving learners access to tools needed for robotics, coding and digital skills.

“Robotics and AI are not far from us; they are here, and we must embrace them, and we cannot accept falling behind,” she said.

Support youth innovators

Mellon Kenyangi, Founder of Next Gen Restyling Ltd, said this third edition marked a major growth from a category of age four to 25, from school-based challenges to a national event attracting public, private and international schools.

“Our competitions are unique because children come to celebrate their hard work. Below 18 is the biggest population, and it is a time bomb if we don’t nurture their ability to think, create and produce.”

Kenyangi notes that they have 380 students registered in  48 teams from 30 schools this year, and eight winning teams will be categorised as best innovators, engineers and creative thinkers.

Winning teams from this year’s event will represent Uganda in international competitions in the United States and other countries, while exchange teams from Maryland and Texas continue supporting learners in underserved communities.

However, she revealed that the initiative still operates without consistent funding and partners with American institutions, despite its national significance.

“We keep crying about unemployment, but we can’t fight it if we don’t create platforms for young people to innovate, as the president insists that we need a science-led economy,” she said, urging government ministries to offer financial and material support.

Taking Shape

Teachers say the competition is transforming how learners engage with science.

Nicholas Kajoba, from Maryhill High School, described the event as a learning exhibition rather than a contest.

“Students share knowledge beyond classroom theory. They see how physics and mathematics work in real life,” he said, urging the Government to consider tax subsidies on imported STEM tools.

Ahmed Lwasa, the director of Kabojja International School, believes robotics programmes can help reduce youth unemployment.

“These programmes help young people solve community challenges and even start jobs and the government should therefore give STEM a bigger budget,” he said.

As the competition closed, organisers said they hope to expand participation beyond the current 48 teams, deepen outreach to rural schools, and secure more consistent funding to equip Uganda’s next wave of innovators.