Eight innovative student teams from across Uganda are gearing up for the Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC) 2025 grand finale, set to take place on August 29 at Mestil Hotel, Kampala.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this milestone edition, themed the “Battle of Champions,” will see secondary school students pitch groundbreaking solutions for a chance to win a Shs 20 million solar energy system for their school, a Shs 10 million water supply system for the runner-up, and an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, for two students and a mentor from the winning team.
The NSC, a flagship initiative by Stanbic Bank Uganda, has empowered over 500,000 students and sparked more than 200 youth-led enterprises over the past decade.
This year, the competition drew entries from 150 schools, with 500 students presenting projects in fields like health tech, sustainable energy, and inclusive technology. After a rigorous national bootcamp and multiple elimination rounds, the final eight teams are ready to showcase their innovations to a panel of experts, investors, and policymakers.
The Finalists
St. Noah SSS Mawaggali (Central Region): Their WalkMate Smart Glasses combine a locator, smart cane, and wearable glasses to enhance independence and safety for visually impaired individuals, showcasing the potential for inclusive technology.
Summayya High School (Central Region): This team developed a UTI early detection kit to empower young women with a tool for early identification and treatment of urinary tract infections, addressing a critical health need.
Sacred Heart SS Mushanga (Western Region): Their automated drinking water pumping and purification system, already piloted at their school, tackles rural water access and hygiene challenges with a scalable solution.
Ibanda SS (Western Region): Using coffee grounds and cloves, this team created scented insect-repellent candles, offering a natural, marketable alternative for hotels, lodges, and households.
St. Mary’s Girls SS Mandera (Eastern Region): Their non-invasive glucose testing kit uses urine instead of blood, simplifying blood sugar monitoring for diabetics, particularly in rural areas.
Musana Vocational High School (Eastern Region): The MK Independent Power Source, a prototype generating electricity without sun, wind, fuel, or batteries, could disrupt sustainable energy solutions.
Comboni College Lira (Northern Region): This team’s smoke-free electric generator addresses energy poverty in rural areas, offering clean power where access is limited.
Mentor Secondary School (Northern Region): Their automated IV monitoring system tracks fluid levels in hospitals, alerting staff to improve patient care efficiency in under-resourced settings.
The NSC is a cornerstone of Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Women, Youth, and Farmers (WYF) growth agenda, aligning with its 2025–2028 strategy to foster entrepreneurship and innovation.
Cathy Adengo, Head of Sustainability at Stanbic Bank Uganda, emphasized the program’s broader impact.
“These innovations show what’s possible when we invest in youth as co-creators of Uganda’s economic future,” Adengo said.
The winning team will secure a Shs 20 million solar energy system for their school, while the runner-up will receive a Shs 10 million water supply system. Other finalists will be awarded scholastic materials.
The top-performing school will also send two students and a mentor on an educational trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. Judges will evaluate the projects based on innovation, impact, scalability, sustainability, and presentation quality.
The Grand Finale will be broadcast live on television, offering a national stage for these young innovators. Which team will claim the title in the Battle of Champions? Tune in on August 29 to find out.
