In a spirited clash of intellect and creativity, Uganda’s top schools are gearing up to tussle for top prize in the Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC), now in its ninth season. The stage is set, the stakes are high, and the nation’s brightest minds are ready to battle for the coveted title.

The giants assemble: A battle beyond the classroom

Namilyango College, St. Mary’s Kisubi, Gayaza, Nabbingo, Mengo, are just a few among several esteemed institutions converging to showcase their brilliance. These schools, representing diverse social strata, are in it to prove that their prowess extends far beyond the confines of textbooks, classrooms and lecture halls.

At least 158 secondary education colleges from across the country have been cleared to compete in this edition. Annually, over 60,000 students from more than 100 Ugandan secondary schools participate in the various skilling challenges covering career growth and development, financial education, business and entrepreneurship, teacher training and capacity development, and psychosocial wellness.

A Legacy of excellence

Over the past years, various schools have etched their names in the annals of academic achievement. Their students have excelled not only in academics but also in innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. From groundbreaking projects to ingenious business ideas, they’ve demonstrated that brilliance knows no boundaries.

The championship kicked off with a grand ceremony last week, where the air buzzed with anticipation. Dignitaries, educators, and students gathered to celebrate the spirit of innovation. Stanbic Bank, the driving force behind this initiative, emphasized the importance of nurturing young minds into future job creators.

Sam Mwogeza, the interim Chief Executive of the bank presided over the ceremony to flag off this year’s competition with a call on parents and schools to support their children to effectively prepare their projects to improve their competitiveness.

“Entrepreneurship is the only sustainable solution for us to address the endemic challenge of unemployment among our youth. As a brand that is at the forefront of driving Uganda’s growth, the Stanbic National Schools Championship is a platform that we designed to nurture learners into the next generation of jobs and wealth creators,” said Mwogeza. 

Behind every brilliant student stands a dedicated teacher. In preparation for the upcoming boot camp in May, teachers from participating schools have undergone specialised training sessions. Armed with innovative teaching approaches, they’re equipping their students to shine on the national stage.

The NSC isn’t just about winning; it’s about fostering a mindset of entrepreneurship. Paticipating students engage in skilling challenges that cover career growth, financial education, business acumen, and psychosocial wellness.

In the previous season, Comboni College School from Lira district emerged as champions. Their solar cooking innovation earned them not only accolades but also a fully installed solar system worth Shs20 million. This victory exemplified the transformative power of creativity and practical skills.

As the countdown begins, Diana Ondoga, the manager Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank says there is anticipation of clash of ideas, the camaraderie of competitors, and the birth of new ventures. “The NSC isn’t just a competition; it’s a movement that propels Uganda toward a brighter, more entrepreneurial future,” Ms Ondoga says, adding: “So, let the battle commence! May the best minds prevail, and may brilliance shine forth as these schools vie for the ultimate prize.”

This year, schools in the Central region are dominating participation with 49 entries followed by the East with 45 slots, 36 for Western and 28 for Northern, according to Ondoga. “Over the eight years of operation, the Stanbic National Schools Championship has benefited half a million learners, teachers and the community through direct and indirect beneficiaries and we hope to achieve new milestones with this 9th edition,” she said. 

George Muteekanga, the Assistant Commissioner for Private Schools at the Ministry of Education and Sports, lauded Stanbic for sustaining National Schools Championship into an effective platform for youth skilling and nurturing a wealth creation mindset in line with the government’s economic transformation agenda.

He said gone are the days when people focused on how many grades a child scored in Secondary school. Today the concern is more on what is the child able to do with his/her hands. We are now in for a society where students create jobs for themselves.

“This is because participation in the NSC provides students with valuable exposure to ideation, fostering creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation. Uganda has over 5000 government and private secondary schools that all deserve to partake in the NSC contest. As a Ministry, we call upon school managers encourage their students to participate in this experiential skilling competition,” Muteekanga says.

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Dolphin suites located on Plot 36 Princess Anne Drive Bugolobi has launched wedding and parties’ package on its services that will see the hotel host weddings and parties.

The hotel that was acquired by the Speke Group of Hotels in 2010 has undergone several developments that complements modern hotel facilities across the globe. Dolphin Suites are thoughtful for both business and leisure.

Launching the products Sheena Ruparelia one of the directors of the Ruparelia Group and Speke Group of Hotels said Dolphin Suites thought of launching the two products due to demand from their clients.

“As you may notice, Dolphin Suites are luxurious but our clients kept on demand for the wedding and parties’ venues. So, today we have decided to unveil the venues” Ms Sheena said. The venues where launched on Thursday April 25, 2024.

The two venues, the upper venue will accommodate 200 guests while lower venue will have a seating capacity of 300 guests. However, there is a poolside that accommodates over 100 guests.

Mr Amit Sachdeva, the Group General Manager said “This exciting offer according to our esteemed client”

The hotel also boosts of 27 luxurious and comfortable guest rooms with individual balconies overlooking the hillside of Bugolobi, Muyenga and the city.

“At Dolphin Suites, we shall work with you to coordinate your event, whether you are reserving a conference room or planning wedding. Apart from wedding and birthday parties, the launched venues will host cocktail and dinner, introduction ceremonies, graduation and retirement parties”

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The Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Patrick Ayota, has revealed that the fund is set to challenge an order to recall one of its Lubowa land titles.

On April 22, 2024, the Ag. Commissioner Land Registration Baker Mugaino issued an order arising out of a hearing to establish double titling on seven plots of land created by the Wakiso District Lands Office.

The order sought to recall one of the titles of the National Social Security Fund, comprised in FRV 402, Folio 13, Plot 1322, whose total acreage is approximately 13% of the 600 acres owned by NSSF.

“The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) challenges this section and contends that the Ag. Commissioner in issuing this order did not consider a detailed explanation submitted to him at a public hearing by the Wakiso District Land Board in which the Land Board distanced themselves from having issued the seven certificates of title overlaid on NSSF’s land,” he said.

In addition, the surveys and administrative errors identified by the Ag Commissioner, Land Registration, can and should be handled administratively by the Ag Commissioner within his powers to manage the land register as set out in the law.

“We also note that the Ag. Commissioner proposed that the Fund should explore “an amicable settlement” with the complainants to acquire the land in dispute. We categorically distance ourselves from such a proposal because the Fund cannot enter negotiations to acquire land that it already owns, that the that the Wakiso District Land Board has disowned, is in full possession of, and holds valid titles issued as far back as 2003, Ayota said.

He reassured NSSF members and stakeholders that the order for rectification by the Ag. Commissioner Land Registration affects only one title out of the 109 titles held by the Fund and covers an area of 13% of the total land owned by the Fund.

He noted that the ongoing real estate developments are not affected by the order issued by the Ag. Commissioner, contrary to the misleading reports circulating on social media. NSSF will continue to use all legal means available to preserve its legal ownership and possession of the land at Lubowa and bring to book all perpetrators involved in any activities to perpetrate fraud against the Fund’s ownership.

“We reassure our members that the Fund is the registered proprietor of approximately 600 acres of freehold land in the Lubowa area, parceled out on 109 separate certificates of title. All original titles are registered in the name of the fund. Any other claim on this land is fraudulent and amounts to trespass. The Fund commits to using all legal means available to institute criminal proceedings against those involved in these land-grabbing activities,” he said.

 High Court in January ruled that part of the land at Nakigala and Lubowa was partly allocated to the current owners in error.

Four individuals, namely Kiggala Joseph, Steven Kikonyogo Saava, Fredrick Jjunju and Sirimani Sebirumbi sued the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Land Registration for refusing to issue land titles to them for the disputed land.

“The applicants prayed for the grant of relief for pf Mandamus to compel the 2^nd respondent issue certificates of title over the disputed land. It may indeed not be possible as noted earlier since this would cause some legal problems of double titling but the 2^nd respondent should harmonise the position or issue of ownership within reasonable time” reads Justice Ssekana ruling.

He continued “However, having found that the applicants had a legitimate expectation, the court will grant a declaration under section 36(1) (e) and 3 of the Judicature Act as follows:

It is declared that Yusuf Suuna Kiweewa’s land comprised in Mailo Register Volume 273 Folio was eligible for the issue of a certificate title under Block and plot, and his interest cannot be extinguished without payment of adequate compensation, unless there is proof that he has sold the land or dealt with it in any such manner that extinguished interest”

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