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 after an intensive five-day boot camp held at Gayaza High School in Wakiso District, where more than 200 schools competed for a chance to win a share of the UGX 150 million prize pool and a fully paid educational trip to South Africa.
The regional finalists 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 further develop and refine their business ideas ahead of the next appraisal phase, which will determine the ultimate winners during the national finale in August.
This year’s competition attracted nearly 1,000 applications from secondary and vocational institutions across Uganda, underlining the growing interest among young people in entrepreneurship, innovation, and problem-solving.
A total of 201 schools were shortlisted to participate in 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 expert judges, with three schools from each region eventually progressing to the finals.
The 11th edition of the Stanbic Bank-sponsored competition is running under the theme “Powering Innovation for Job Creation” with the 2026 tagline, “Flex Your Genius.”
The competition features projects across sectors such as agriculture, ICT, health, and manufacturing, reflecting the diversity of innovation emerging from Uganda’s young people.
Lydia Lynn Amarorwot from Mentor Secondary School Lira, one of the participants in the Business Fellowship category, said the experience 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 totaling UGX 15 million to support the growth of their projects.
Susan Nakayi Kasandakawu, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, commended the competition for aligning with 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 added that initiatives like the Stanbic National Schools Championship are equipping learners with practical skills needed to thrive in today’s world of work.
“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 competition 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.”
