By Sulaiman Kauki
KAMPALA — Stanbic Bank Uganda has officially unveiled the 11th edition of its National Schools Championship (NSC), an initiative focused on equipping students with practical skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial literacy to help address youth unemployment.
The programme, launched on Monday, forms part of the bank’s corporate social investment efforts as it celebrates 35 years of operations in Uganda.
This year’s competition has drawn significant interest, with close to 1,000 applications submitted from secondary and vocational institutions across the country. The strong response reflects a growing enthusiasm among young people to explore enterprise and innovation.
Speaking at the launch, the bank’s Executive Head for Business and Commercial Banking, Tunde Thorpe, emphasized the importance of nurturing a mindset shift among youth—from seeking jobs to creating them.
“Young people hold the key to Uganda’s future. By equipping them with the right skills and confidence, we are enabling them to build businesses, develop solutions, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” he said.
He added that the championship aligns with the bank’s purpose of driving Uganda’s growth and its broader Positive Impact agenda, which promotes enterprise development, job creation, and inclusive participation, particularly among youth, women, and underserved groups.
Running under the theme “Powering Innovation for Job Creation,” the 2026 edition is part of a wider strategy that includes significant financial support—estimated at up to Shs1 trillion—towards business development and socio-economic transformation.
Focus on practical skills
The programme emphasizes hands-on learning through activities such as teacher training, innovation toolkits for students, mentorship sessions, and a residential boot camp for top-performing participants.
Allen Kagina, Chairperson of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, underscored the importance of skills development in tackling unemployment.
“Equipping young people with relevant skills is essential for their participation in today’s economy. Initiatives like this help prepare them for productive futures,” she noted.
Juliet Muzoora Atuhairwe, Commissioner for Secondary Education, said the championship complements government efforts to implement competence-based learning.
“It allows learners to apply classroom knowledge in practical ways, encouraging innovation and problem-solving that directly benefits their communities,” she said.
Growing reach and impact
Since its inception, the National Schools Championship has impacted nearly one million students, supported the formation of more than 200 student-led businesses, and engaged over 500 schools nationwide.
Diana Ondoga, Stanbic Bank’s Corporate Social Investment Manager, highlighted the programme’s role in advancing education and youth empowerment.
“This initiative goes beyond competition. It helps young people refine their ideas, build confidence, and acquire skills that can set them up for success,” she said.
She added that approximately 70 percent of the bank’s social investment budget is directed towards education, demonstrating a strong commitment to developing human capital.
This year, students from 200 schools are expected to take part, with top innovators progressing to a national boot camp scheduled for May at Gayaza High School.
Ondoga encouraged participants to fully embrace the opportunity, urging them to think creatively and develop solutions that can create jobs and positively impact their communities