14 Schools Shine as Champions at Uganda’s Inaugural STEM and Vex Robotics Championship 2024
The first-ever Uganda National STEM and Vex Robotics Championship 2024 saw an electrifying display of talent and innovation, with 14 schools emerging as champions in various categories. This groundbreaking event was organized by the African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) under its flagship program, Young Engineers Uganda. Held on recently, at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, the competition attracted over 200 students from 25 schools nationwide.
Winners of the Vex Robotics Championship
The Vex Robotics Championship was highly competitive, with schools showcasing exceptional engineering and programming skills. The champions of this category were:
- Daffodils Primary School: Winner of the Vex IQ category.
- The Stoneridge School: Winner of the Vex IQ category.
- Acorns International School: Winner of the VEX V5 category.
- Soroti Municipal SS: Winner of the VEX V5 category.
These schools will represent Uganda at the Vex Robotics World Championship in Dallas, USA, in 2025.
Top Performers in the STEM Championship
The STEM Championship featured two main categories: Aggrotech and Energy-tech, with schools demonstrating innovative projects aimed at addressing real-world problems.
Aggrotech Senior Category
- Kampala Diplomatic International School: First place for their Smart Irrigation System Project.
- Ntare School: Second place with the Integrated Automatic Hydroponics Project.
- Ntare School: Third place with the AgriBot Project.
Aggrotech Junior Category
- Edusmith International Christian School: First place for the Garden Rover Project.
- Little Petals International School: Second place with the Mechanical Plough Project.
- Buyala Junior School: Third place for their Automated Crop Harvester Project.
Energy-tech Senior Category
- YE-Semawatta Centre: First place with their Cyber Truck Project.
- The Stoneridge School: Second place with their Gesture-Controlled System Project.
Energy-tech Junior Category
- Shekinah International School: First place with the Water and Air Turbine Project.
- Kampala Academy: Second place with the Intruder Detection System Project.
- YE-Semawatta Centre: Third place with their Mars Rover Project.
These winners will represent Uganda at the International Greenwich Olympiad in the UK next year.
Special Awards Recognize Unique Contributions
The championship also honored participants with special awards for outstanding projects and contributions:
- Innovative Award: The Stoneridge School for their Cable Car Project.
- Girl-Powered Award: Heritage International School for encouraging female participation in STEM.
A Celebration of STEM and Innovation in Uganda
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, commended the organizers and participants. Represented by Commissioner for Secondary Schools, Mrs. Juliet Atuhaire Muzoora, the First Lady praised the event’s alignment with the government’s skilling agenda, which focuses on preparing the youth for 21st-century challenges.
“We are thrilled to have provided a platform for Uganda’s young engineers to showcase their skills and creativity,” remarked Ms. Maureen Ayebare Karamagi, CEO of Young Engineers Uganda. She highlighted the role of STEM education in fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
We are thrilled to have provided a platform for Uganda’s young engineers to showcase their skills and creativity, Maureen Ayebare Karamagi
The Role of ASIST in Promoting STEM Education
Arinaitwe Rugyendo, founder of ASIST Ltd, emphasized the importance of nurturing innovators and problem-solvers. He noted that Africa’s contribution to global scientific knowledge remains minimal and stressed the need for hands-on, project-based, and problem-solving approaches to education.
Under its Young Engineers Uganda program, ASIST Ltd has transformed STEM education across Uganda. Over 3,000 students in 25 schools have benefited from programs in robotics, engineering, and digital literacy, equipping them with skills to compete internationally.
A Bright Future for STEM in Uganda
The Uganda National STEM and Vex Robotics Championship is a testament to the country’s growing interest in science and technology. With four schools set to compete at the Vex Robotics World Championship and nine schools heading to the International Greenwich Olympiad, Uganda’s youth are poised to make their mark on the global stage.
This event not only celebrated the innovation and creativity of young minds but also paved the way for a brighter future in STEM education and technological advancement in Uganda.
