Eleven student-founded companies pitched their sustainable business projects at JA Uganda’s national competition awards ceremony.
Junior Achievement (JAU) has on Thursday 27th June, 2024 announced the winners of this year’s Company of the Year Winners.
This year’s Junior Achievement Company program is held under the theme Greenovation and it is co-funded by the Boeing Company and the Project Management Educational Institute Foundation (PMIEF).
The partnership has empowered a total of 3,500 high school students from Kampala and Masaka regions with entrepreneurship education.
It is the first time that the competition includes learning opportunities that promote environmental stewardship and resource conservation as part of the program.
Throughout the training, a total of 13 student-led companies (initiatives/innovations) were selected during the COY regional competitions in Kampala and Masaka regions respectively. Out of 13, only 11 companies from nine schools presented their sustainable business solutions at the JA Uganda Company of the Year national competition in Kampala, which was strategically timed to celebrate the World’s Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, on June 27. The other two companies pulled out of the competition for the reasons they explained to the JA Uganda administration.
The grand prize was awarded to Eco Dynamics JA Company from Sacred Hearts Secondary School, Kiterede in Masaka region, who will represent Uganda at the JA Africa Regional Company of the Year competition in Mauritius on December 4-6, 2024.
The 1st Runner-Up was Destiny JA Company from St Bernards Senior Secondary School- Mannya, in Kyotera district and the Second Runner-Up was Greeniatives JA Company from Mengo Senior Secondary School, Kampala.
Awards were also given to more companies in recognition of their efforts in showcasing their creativity and innovation in relation to the theme. They include: Rising Leader Award given to the best student team leader. This award was given to Najingo Praise Kabuye, the CEO of Destiny JA Company from St Bernards Senior Secondary School- Mannya, in Kyotera district.
Other award categories included: Most Innovative Idea which was given to Dynamic Robotics from Manifest International School. The Sustainability Award was given to Supremacy JA Company from Seeta High School. The Best Application of Project Management Award was given to Destiny JA Company from St Bernards Senior Secondary School- Mannya, in Kyotera district. The Clan Award was given to Joel Briquettes JA Company from Masaka Parents Secondary School.
Ms Racheal Mwagale, the JA Uganda Executive director thanked the funders for making an impactful contribution to the empowerment of Uganda’s young people with financial literacy skills.
“Financial literacy is not just about understanding dollars and cents; it’s about empowering our young people to make informed decisions, to plan for their futures, and to build a foundation of financial stability and success,” she said.
She added that, “through the training programs, our participants have learned the importance of budgeting, saving, investing, and understanding the dynamics of credit and debt. They have also developed a keen sense of entrepreneurship and the confidence to navigate the financial challenges of the modern world.”
In a written statement presented at the event, Mr. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, the Boeing president in the Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, stated that they supported the program with an intention of preparing the young generation for the future.
“We are delighted to extend our existing partnership with Junior Achievement Africa to Uganda. By nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset early on, we empower students to become proactive contributors to the economy and society, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The environmental and social aspect of the program helps the youth with integrating sustainable practices from the get-go,” read the statement.
With Uganda facing a high youth unemployment rate, this program plays a vital role in creating opportunities for young people, while empowering them to tackle climate related challenges head-on.
Ms. Simi Nwogugu, the CEO of JA Africa, said in a statement delivered by Sboniso Madlopha, the JA Africa Vice President operations said “our joint initiative with Boeing ‘Our Future – Tomorrow’s Innovators’ propels our mission forward, enhancing youth capacity in entrepreneurship, STEM, and sustainability. This collaboration has inspired over 5,000 young Africans over the last four years to harness their potential and innovate for a sustainable future. We are confident that the program in Uganda will empower a new generation of innovative, sustainability-minded entrepreneurs.”
The Minister of State for Higher Education, John Chrisostom Muyingo, who was represented by Mr. George Mutekanga, the Assistant Commissioner for Private Schools and Institutions in the ministry of education, expressed the government’s commitment in supporting the objectives of the JA Company Program.
“What Junior Achievement Uganda and Africa are demonstrating in empowering young people with entrepreneurship skills and knowledge is commendable. This is beefing up our new approach to our education system in the new curriculum,” he said.
While delivering his address on behalf of the Minister, he applauded JA Uganda for their efforts in shaping the future of Uganda’s young generation in work readiness, business management, project planning and innovation.
“The current challenges the world is facing require innovative approaches in addressing them and that is what Junior Achievement is doing.”
In his speech to the participating teams and invited guests, Mr Mutekanga pledged the support of the government for the winning team, especially when time reaches for them to travel to Mauritius for the competitions at Africa level.
