More than 150 schools from across Uganda have converged at Seroma Christian High School in Mukono District for the boot camp phase of the 2025 Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC). Over the next seven days, students will undergo an intense yet engaging training program designed to equip them with key entrepreneurial and personal development skills.
Diana Ondoga, head of Social Corporate Investment at Stanbic Bank, explained that the boot camp focuses on skilling students in areas such as entrepreneurship, business modeling, personal management, and mental wellness. “Mental health is a key element of the well-being of a Ugandan learner,” she emphasized, noting that the NSC is tailored for youth aged 13 to 18, preparing them for real-world challenges.
Ondoga highlighted that the initiative complements the education reforms introduced five years ago by the Ministry of Education by offering students practical experiences that reinforce classroom learning. She also pointed out the championship’s alignment with Uganda’s National Development Plan, as it addresses the growing issue of limited employment opportunities in the formal job market.
“Through this program, we empower students with practical skills that allow them to become problem-solvers. These skills help them grow into entrepreneurs, employers, and responsible citizens,” she said. “We target them at this early age because it’s a formative period—an opportunity to shape their mindset and move them away from the expectation that jobs will be readily available after school.”
Among the enthusiastic participants is Sebastian Nyanzi from St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK), who noted the importance of learning how to monetize innovation. “Uganda has many innovative students, but innovation is only meaningful when it can generate income,” he said, expressing excitement about how the boot camp will help elevate their team’s ideas.
Atima Adaka of Lira Town College shared her anticipation for the mentorship sessions, eager to refine her team’s business idea. Her sentiments were echoed by Amos Muwanguzi, a teacher from St John Paul in Gulu, who praised the opportunity to support students working on a school management system. The application under development by his students is designed to handle report cards, school fee payments, teacher reporting, and timetable scheduling.
The boot camp represents a crucial step in the NSC journey, offering students and their mentors a platform to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities while fostering a spirit of innovation and leadership for a better future.