Powering a Greener Tomorrow: NEMA and Stanbic Bank Celebrate Young Environmental Leaders

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) recently teamed up with Stanbic Bank to celebrate the bright, young minds shaping Uganda’s future. The occasion was the grand finale of the 10th Stanbic National Schools Championships (NSC), a competition that showcased the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit of students across the country.

This year’s championships, themed “Powering Innovation for Job Creation,” brought together 150 schools and directly impacted over 100,000 students. The program went beyond traditional academics, focusing on equipping students with essential skills for the modern world, including innovation, design thinking, financial literacy, and soft skills. A key focus of the competition was teaching students how to develop environmentally sustainable businesses and manage their finances responsibly.

The grand finale was a true testament to the students’ creativity and resilience. It provided a platform to celebrate their achievements while emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices, both in business and in life.

State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, who was guest of honour, said the championship is key to nurturing future leaders. “Ten years from now, some of you will be leading companies, innovating in technology and creating jobs, or shaping public policy. This is a platform that you can utilize as your launch pad,” he said.

^{_{Senior Environment Awareness Officer Tony Achidria (right) handing over a dummy cheque to some of the winners}}

Honoring Environmental Heroes: The “Ozone Moment” Awards

NEMA’s contribution to the championships was a special category dubbed the “Ozone Moment.” This segment challenged students to engage with critical environmental issues through a series of activities, including project proposal writing, quizzes, and an essay writing competition. The theme for this year’s awards was “From Science to Global Action in the context of the Vienna Convention.”

This theme was particularly significant as it marked the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. This landmark treaty established a framework for international cooperation to protect human health and the environment from the damaging effects of ozone layer depletion. The convention created a platform for research and monitoring, which ultimately led to the more binding Montreal Protocol (1987), a treaty that has been instrumental in phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

^{_{Senior Environment Inspector and Ozone Project Officer Isaac Mugabi breifing delegates about the criteria of awarding the ozone moment winners}}

Champions of the Environment: Meet the Winners ��

The “Ozone Moment” awards celebrated students who demonstrated a deep understanding of environmental science and a passion for global action. The winners of the essay writing, quiz, and project proposal categories were:

Essay Writing

• Winner: Ainebyona Paul from St. Mary’s College Kisubi, for his essay titled “When the sky broke, the world woke up: A call for global action through science.”
• First Runner-up: Waiswa Hadad & Babirye Sumaya from Namungalwe Parents Secondary School, with their essay “The whispering palms and the shield of the sky.”
• Second Runner-up: Negesa Jovia from Mbale Secondary School, for her essay titled “The unfinished story of science, action and our generation’s call.”

Quiz Category

• Winner: Agenge Priscilla Ojok from Mentor Secondary School.
• First Runner-up: Akamutuha Nelson from Ibanda Secondary School.
• Second Runner-up: Nampeera Patricia from St. Noa Mawagali Secondary School.

Project Proposals

• Winner: Sekandi Neitan from St. Charles Lwanga International Secondary School.
• First Runner-up: Kule Blessing Francis from St. Charles Vocational Secondary School.
• Second Runner-up: Sande Ronald from St. Charles Lwanga International Secondary School.

The partnership between NEMA and Stanbic Bank highlights a shared commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge and skills needed to build a sustainable and prosperous future. These students are not just learning; they’re leading the way toward a greener tomorrow.