A team of eight young Ugandan innovators under the Young Engineers Uganda STEM Education Program has arrived in the United States to represent their country at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas.

This marks the third consecutive time Uganda has participated in the prestigious global competition, showcasing its growing commitment to STEM education and technological advancement.

Led by Allen Nanyonjo, Head of Curriculum at Young Engineers Uganda, the team landed in Dallas on Sunday, ready to face off against some of the world’s best young robotics minds.

These students earned their place at the championship after excelling at the Uganda National STEM Education and Robotics Championship held last November at the ICT Hub Nakawa.

The national event attracted more than 300 children from 25 different schools, all competing in various robotics disciplines, including innovation, climate change, creativity, and engineering.

A Global Celebration of Robotics Excellence

The VEX Robotics World Championship, which runs from May 6 to May 14, 2025, brings together the most talented young robotics teams from across the world. The competition will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, where participants will compete in various categories to earn the prestigious title of VEX champions.

Uganda’s representatives will compete in the VEX V5 Robotics Competition: High Stakes, with the first cohort of students attending the opening ceremony today, followed by a second batch arriving in Dallas in three days. Over 60 countries and more than 50,000 participants are expected to take part in this year’s championship.

During the flag-off ceremony at the Young Engineers Uganda headquarters in Ntinda, Chief Guest and Educationist Ms. Kathryn Tucker praised the students, parents, and coaches for their resilience, urging them to represent Uganda with pride, build international friendships, and embrace the future of education.

Young Engineers Uganda Founder, Mr. Arinaitwe Rugyendo encouraged the students to use this global platform to learn about the latest robotics trends, network with peers, and remain disciplined and focused as they present their projects.

This year’s championship will cover ten key disciplines, including Innovation, Spirit, Research, Design, Opportunity, Engineering, Math, Technology, Arts, and Science. The first Ugandan team, competing under the banner ARCORNS LEGENDS, has been placed in the Innovation category, where they will battle 60 teams from around the world. Uganda remains the only African team competing in this category, a significant achievement for the nation’s growing robotics sector.

Young Engineers Uganda: A Launchpad for Innovation

Young Engineers Uganda is part of the African School of Innovations Science and Technology, which has been dedicated to advancing STEM education among children and young learners in Uganda since 2016.

The program fosters skills in robotics, engineering, programming, and creative problem-solving, ensuring that young innovators in Uganda are equipped with the knowledge needed for the future of technology.

Through various initiatives, Young Engineers Uganda has successfully nurtured a community of young minds eager to experiment, invent, and compete on global platforms. The program has become a key player in promoting STEM education, bridging gaps in technological literacy and positioning Uganda as a rising force in robotics innovation.

The VEX Robotics World Championship: A Platform for Young Innovators

The VEX Robotics World Championship, presented by the REC Foundation, is recognized as the largest robotics competition in the world. It provides young learners with a chance to design, build, and program robots while engaging in teamwork and problem-solving. Sponsored by global technology giants like Google, NASA, Amazon, the U.S. Navy, and EATON Corporation, the event highlights the importance of STEM education and robotics advancements worldwide.

The competition is divided into multiple categories, including VEX IQ Robotics for elementary and middle school students, VEX V5 Robotics for high school students, and VEX U Robotics for college-level competitors. Uganda’s participation reflects the country’s dedication to cultivating world-class engineering talent and integrating STEM learning into national education systems.

As Uganda’s young engineers take on the world in Dallas, Texas, supporters back home can follow their progress live at VEX Worlds TV via this link: https://www.vexworlds.tv/#/channels/all.

With their passion, determination, and innovative skills, Uganda’s robotics team is set to make an impact on the global stage, proving that Africa’s future in technology is bright.