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A group of teenagers from Young Engineers Uganda are representing Uganda at the prestigious Vex World Robotics Championships 2023 in Dallas, the team of the talented young stars, who were part of the renowned Young Engineers Uganda STEM EDUCATION organization, have worked tirelessly for months, honing their robotics skills and developing cutting-edge technologies to compete on the global stage and their hard work and dedication has paid off, earning them the honor of representing Uganda in this highly anticipated international competition.

The team from Young Engineers Uganda consists of four girls and three boys, along with their three dedicated instructors. They secured Uganda’s fourth position on the African continent during the Pan African Robotics competition in Dakar, Senegal last year, earning them the invitation to participate in the World Robotic Championship in the United States.

The Vex World Robotics Championships will see participation from over 50 countries and over 2,200 teams from all over the world, making it a truly global event that brings together the brightest young minds in the field of robotics. The Ugandan team will be competing in the VEX IQ category, themed “Slapshot,” where they will work collaboratively in alliance with another team to score points using their robot that can slap or shoot discs into goal zones.

The young engineers, ranging in age from 9 to 14, were brimming with excitement as they boarded the plane to Dallas, accompanied by their instructors and mentors. They had spent countless hours designing, building, and programming their robots, which were set to compete against teams from over 70 countries in various challenges and competitions at the championship.

As the team touched down in Dallas on Monday 24^th April 2023, they were greeted with a warm welcome from the international robotics community. The championship venue was abuzz with energy and excitement, as teams from around the world showcased their robots and competed in intense battles of skills and strategies.

The Ugandan team, adorned in their vibrant national colours, wasted no time in showcasing their robots, which were equipped with innovative features and unique functionalities and their efforts are already paying off. 

The team of the talented teenagers from Uganda has made history in Africa, by winning the GIRLS POWERED Badge of Honour for fielding more girls than boys on its team at the ongoing Vex World Robotics Championship in Dallas USA.

Team Uganda made history as the first cohort to qualify for the Dallas, Texas world event that features the most brilliant young robotics enthusiasts in the world. They are pitted against the rest of the countries that constitute over 2000 participants who were sieved from over 28,000 entrants.

The Young Engineers group has opened the door for the rest of the Ugandan children to participate in such competitions and them competing at this ‘World Cup’ of Robotics Championship is already a win for Uganda and Africa. Their participation opens a wide range of opportunities, including scholarships and visits to renowned institutions such as NASA, Apple, Google, Tesla, and many more, says Veteran Journalist and Founder of Young Engineers Uganda, Arinaitwe Rugyendo.

Team Uganda consists of the following members:

Lowena Mwiza Rugyendo (14) – Viva College School, Jinja

Liam Mukisa (12) – Mengo Secondary School

Ciara Nyamate Bwesigye (13) – Taibah International School

Pearl Ayebale (12) – Kampala Standard Primary School

Celline Nyonyozi Bwesigye (11) – Taibah International School

Samuel Kazoora (11) – The Hungry Caterpillar International School

Aleem Mangalji (9) – The Forest School Online

Uganda is proud to have such a diverse and talented team representing our Country on a global stage at the Vex Worlds Championships.