Kampala, Uganda – Laurean Rugambwa Rugyendo, a Senior Two student at St. Mary’s College, is leading a team of eight teenagers to represent Uganda at the prestigious Vex World Robotics Championship in Dallas, Texas, USA. The team, comprising students from various schools in Kampala, has secured a coveted spot at the championship, which kicks off on April 26 and runs for two weeks.
Young Engineers Uganda, a STEM Education afterschool program, has been instrumental in nurturing the team’s skills and preparing them for the global competition. The program, which runs in over 20 schools, focuses on developing the next generation of Ugandan scientists, innovators, and problem solvers through a LEGO and Robotics curriculum.
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“I am thrilled to lead the team and hope to build on last year’s success and bring more honors to our nation,” said Rugyendo, who credits the program with improving his performance in Maths and Physics at school. “This program has been instrumental in helping me improve my performance in Maths and Physics at SMACK, as well as the practical part of the competence-based O’level curriculum.”
The team, which includes Tabitha Irungi Aloyo, Leona Pauline Ainemukama Muhangi, Linda Lesly Praise Kansiime, Queen Ankunda Kajwengye, Mathew Joe Muwaya, and Housna Kasemire Rashid, has been undergoing intensive training for the global showdown. Their coaches, Allen Nanyonjo and Monica Arinaitwe, have been guiding them every step of the way.
“We are going to face the whole world and square out with first-world countries who are very advanced in technology,” Rugyendo said confidently.
The Vex Robotics World Championship is a premier event that brings together over 2,200 teams from more than 50 countries. This year’s competition promises to be a thrilling showcase of innovation and talent in robotics.
Team Uganda’s participation follows their impressive performance at the Pan African Robotics Competitions (PARC 2022) in Dakar, Senegal, where they won a bronze medal. Their success highlights the program’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
“We aim to inspire a new generation of problem solvers and innovators,” said Ms. Allen Nanyonjo, Head of STEAM at Young Engineers Uganda and head coach of Team Uganda. “By equipping students with the skills needed to tackle complex challenges, we hope to make a positive impact on the world.”
The team’s journey to the Vex Robotics World Championship is a testament to the program’s commitment to promoting education and career opportunities in STEM fields. With the support of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, Team Uganda is ready to take on the world and make their nation proud.
