Stanbic Bank’s Diana Ondoga and Catherine Asayo with the Sumayya Girls High Schools at the SBG Heritage Center in South Africa
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The growing trend of youth entrepreneurship in Uganda is gaining renewed momentum, driven by innovative education programmes that are equipping young people with practical business and problem-solving skills.
This spirit of enterprise was recently on display as students from Sumayya Girls High School celebrated a landmark victory at the 2025 Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC), earning not only national recognition but also a life-changing exposure tour to South Africa.
After being crowned grand champions under the theme “Powering Innovation for Job Creation,” two students and their patron teacher from Sumayya Girls High School embarked on an educational and cultural tour of South Africa, the home of Standard Bank Group, the parent company of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited.
Their trip included a visit to the renowned Standard Bank Group Heritage Centre, exploration of Johannesburg’s iconic “Jozi My Jozi” attractions, a historic tour of Soweto — the former home of Pan-Africanist icon Nelson Mandela — as well as luxury ocean excursions and an unforgettable cable car ride.
The students clinched the top prize in the “Student Spark” category for their groundbreaking medical innovation, the Uro Care UTI Detector, an early-detection kit designed to help young women identify urinary tract infections before they escalate into serious complications. The innovation exemplifies how Ugandan youth are applying creativity and science to solve pressing health challenges while developing entrepreneurial skills.
Jamimah Kutesa, a Senior Five student and one of the inventors, described the experience as transformative. “I’m very grateful to Stanbic Bank for this opportunity. I never imagined that I would sit on a plane at my age,” she said, adding that the experience has inspired her to dream bigger and learn more.
Over the years, the Stanbic NSC has evolved into a cornerstone of youth empowerment, complementing the government’s National Development Plan by embedding entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation within the education system. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Stanbic Bank Uganda Chief Executive Mumba Kalifungwa emphasized the urgency of investing in young people.
“Youth employment is a global issue, but it is especially critical here in Uganda, where nearly 78 percent of our population is under the age of 30,” Kalifungwa said. “Platforms like the NSC empower young people to transition from job seekers to job creators.”
The championship victory secured Shs 20 million in business capital for the students, Shs 5 million in school support, two laptops, and a Shs 2 million award for the patron teacher. Additionally, the team received a fully paid educational trip to South Africa valued at Shs 50 million.
Stanbic Bank’s Head of Corporate Social Investment, Diana Ondoga, highlighted the programme’s far-reaching impact, noting that the NSC has so far reached over 500,000 students and catalysed the creation of more than 200 businesses. Preparations are already underway for the 11th edition, promising to expand opportunities for even more young innovators.
Other outstanding finalists included Mentor Secondary School, which emerged first runner-up with a Patient Monitoring System; St. Noa Mawaggali Secondary School, second runner-up with eco-friendly Koffia Candles; and Ibanda St. Noa Mawaggali SSS, which placed third with their mobility innovation, Snoams Walk Mate.
As youth unemployment continues to challenge Uganda’s socio-economic development, initiatives like the NSC are proving that early exposure to entrepreneurship can unlock immense potential. By nurturing innovation, financial literacy and business acumen, these programmes are shaping a new generation of job creators poised to drive Uganda’s future growth.
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