Stanbic Bank has officially announced the 200 schools advancing to the next round of the 10th edition of the National Schools Championship (NSC), dubbed ‘Battle of Champions.’
Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank, emphasized the bank’s commitment to transforming the lives of women, youth, and farmers through corporate investment initiatives like the NSC.
“The National Schools Championship is not merely a contest; it has evolved into a catalyst for change that unlocks the tremendous potential of Uganda’s youth,” Kalifungwa stated.
Under the theme ‘Powering Innovation for Job Creation,’ he noted that over the past decade, more than 500,000 students from 800 schools have participated in the NSC. This initiative has led to the establishment of 187 student-led businesses, showcasing Stanbic’s dedication to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among young people.
“As Stanbic, we take pride in supporting our youth in realizing their dreams, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s socioeconomic development. Since its inception, Stanbic has invested over UGX 7 billion in this initiative. It complements our Stanbic For Her program and Stanbic Business Incubator, which have positively impacted 27,000 women-led businesses, with 10,000 accessing financing exceeding UGX 140 billion in just three years.”
Last year, St. Joseph’s High School, Namagunga, won a brand-new solar system valued at UGX 25 million, UGX 1.5 million for their entrepreneurship patron, and laptops for each team member in the winning pitch.
“This year, we have a prize pool of over UGX 150 million to be shared among the winners. Additionally, we plan to extend an all-expenses-paid trip for the winning students and their patron teacher to South Africa, the home to the headquarters of our parent company, Standard Bank Group,” Kalifungwa adding that looking beyond, he wants to see NSC crossing to the regional level so it can impact more youth not only in Uganda but in the entire great lakes region.
Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, commended Stanbic Bank for its continuous investment in education and youth empowerment, recognizing the NSC as a vital contributor to the nation’s educational landscape.
Turyagyenda expressed confidence that students benefiting from such mentorship would excel in their projects and thrive in life.
“As a Ministry, we are committed to fostering environments that prioritize academic excellence, skill development, and innovation, which are crucial for our youth to adapt to the evolving job market and contribute to national progress,” she stated.
What’s Special About This Edition?
As this marks the 10th anniversary of the competition, Cathy Adengo, Head of Sustainability at Stanbic Bank, shared insights into the competitive selection process.
“Unlike last year, when we received only 250 applications, this year we welcomed over 500 schools with outstanding proposals. Unfortunately, only 200 projects will advance to the next stage, which includes training of trainers, a boot camp, and appraisals designed to transform ideas into viable projects,” Adengo explained.
The grand finale is set to occur in about six months. She noted that the surge in interest influenced the selection process, increasing the accepted projects from 150 last year to 200 this year. Although the categories have been reduced from four to two, organizers expanded slots to include more upcountry regions.
“We previously had four categories; this year, we have two: the Student Spark for new ideas and the Business Fellowship for existing projects, including alumni,” she said.
“Together with our partners, we plan to surprise our winners with a fully-paid vacation to a country on the continent, showcasing the innovative ideas you bring to the table.”
Representing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Secretariat in Uganda, Onesmus Kamusiime praised Stanbic’s commitment to innovation and youth entrepreneurship as aligned with Goals 8, 12, and 13.
“Initiatives like the National Schools Championship not only align with global goals for quality education and economic growth but also empower the next generation to be change-makers in their communities,” Kamusiime remarked.
He encouraged participants to focus their innovations on addressing pressing global issues, from climate change to inequality.
“You have the potential to create solutions that will benefit not only your communities but can also resonate on a global scale. It is commendable that the NSC promotes lifelong learning opportunities, ensuring individuals can adapt to changing circumstances and contribute effectively to society,” he concluded.
