KAMPALA — 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 this year.
The finalists emerged from an intensive five-day boot camp hosted at Gayaza High School in Wakiso District, where more than 200 schools competed for a place in the final round of the competition.
At stake is a share of the UGX 150 million prize pool and a fully sponsored educational trip to South Africa for the eventual winners.
The schools that progressed to the national stage include Lira Town College, Comboni College and Cotn Marani Honors High School from Northern Uganda; Iganga S.S, Ngora High School and Kakira S.S from Eastern Uganda; St. Thereza Girls S.S, Sedes Sapientiae Academiae S.S and Kyebambe Girls S.S from Western Uganda; as well as Aga Khan High School, St. Kizito High School Namugongo and Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga S.S Kalangala from the Central region.
The selected schools will now receive seed capital to help refine and further develop 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, reflecting growing interest among young people in entrepreneurship, innovation and problem-solving.
Out of the applications received, 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 projects before a panel of judges, with only three schools from each region progressing to the finals.
The 11th edition of the Stanbic National Schools Championship is being held under the theme “Powering Innovation for Job Creation” with the 2026 tagline, “Flex Your Genius.”
The competition showcases projects in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, health and manufacturing, highlighting the growing creativity and innovation among Uganda’s youth.
Lydia Lynn Amarorwot from Mentor Secondary School Lira, one of the participants in the Business Fellowship category, said the programme had equipped her with valuable 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,” she said.
“I hope to go all the way to the grand finale.”
All semi-finalist schools received seed capital totaling UGX 15 million to support the development of their projects.
Susan Nakayi Kasandakawu, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, praised 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.
She noted that initiatives like the Stanbic National Schools Championship are helping learners acquire 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.
Stanbic Bank Corporate Social Investment Manager Diana Ondoga congratulated all participants and urged students to remain resilient regardless of the competition results.
“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.”
