Stanbic Bank Uganda has unveiled the 12 regional finalists advancing to the national stage of the Stanbic National Schools Championship, with the grand finale scheduled for August.
The finalists emerged after an intensive five-day boot camp held at Gayaza High School in Wakiso, where more than 200 schools competed for a place in the finals and a share of the UGX150 million prize pool.
The winning schools will also receive a fully funded educational trip to South Africa.
The regional finalists from Northern Uganda are Lira Town College, Comboni College and Cotn Marani Honors High School.
Eastern Uganda will be represented by Iganga S.S, Ngora High School and Kakira S.S.
The finalists from Western Uganda are St Thereza Girls S.S, Sedes Sapientiae Academiae S.S and Kyebambe Girls S.S.
The Central region finalists are Aga Khan High School, St Kizito High School Namugongo and Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga S.S Kalangala.
The selected schools will now receive seed capital to further develop and refine their business ideas ahead of the next appraisal phase, which will determine the overall winners during the national finale.
This year’s competition attracted nearly 1,000 applications from secondary and vocational institutions across Uganda, highlighting growing interest among young people in entrepreneurship, innovation and problem-solving.
A total of 201 schools were shortlisted for the boot camp, where students and teachers underwent practical training in psychosocial and stress management, personal financial management, sales and marketing, branding, packaging and business pitching.
Following the first elimination stage, 52 schools advanced to pitch their ideas before a panel of judges. Three schools from each region were then selected for the finals.
The 11th edition of the Stanbic Bank-sponsored competition is being held under the theme, “Powering Innovation for Job Creation”, with the 2026 tagline, “Flex Your Genius”.
The competition features projects in agriculture, ICT, health and manufacturing, reflecting the range of innovation emerging from Uganda’s young people.
Lydia Lynn Amarorwot, a participant from Mentor Secondary School Lira in the Business Fellowship category, said the programme had sharpened her entrepreneurial and presentation skills.
“I have made friends and gained valuable skills, especially in developing a business model canvas, creating a business plan, and learning how to pitch before judges. I hope to go all the way to the grand finale,” she said.
All semi-finalist schools received seed capital amounting to UGX15 million to support the growth of their projects.
Susan Nakayi Kasandakawu, the Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, commended the competition for supporting Uganda’s competence-based curriculum reforms.
“The Ministry of Education and Sports is delighted to see such innovations taking place. The creativity, collaboration and critical thinking demonstrated by the students are exactly what the new curriculum seeks to promote,” she said.
Kasandakawu said initiatives such as the Stanbic National Schools Championship were equipping learners with practical skills needed in today’s job market.
“As the Ministry, we appreciate Stanbic Bank for ensuring that learners from all regions of the country have an opportunity to acquire these skills, network and gain exposure that will positively shape their future,” she added.
Diana Ondoga, Stanbic Bank’s Corporate Social Investment Manager, congratulated all participants and encouraged them to remain resilient regardless of the outcome.
“Regardless of today’s outcome, look back at where you started and how far you have come. You are all winners and champions,” Ondoga said.
“Even if you do not win today, keep working at it. Some of the most successful businesses are built by people who refused to give up after multiple setbacks.”
