NWT Managing Director Eisah Mayanja said the learners competed in various categories, including earth and life sciences, clean water, farming and food, building and robotics, energy and fun.
The camp, held at Lwanyama Primary School in Lwanyama village, Kisozi town council, was organised by New Wave Technologies (NWT) under the theme “Awakening Innovation”.
The event brought together learners aged between six and 16 years to showcase creative solutions to real community challenges through innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.
NWT Managing Director Eisah Mayanja said the learners competed in various categories, including earth and life sciences, clean water, farming and food, building and robotics, energy and fun.
The camp also featured practical demonstrations on how plastic waste can be reused to make products such as mats, ropes and toys. Learners were also exposed to water purification techniques and sustainable irrigation methods aimed at improving agricultural production while conserving natural resources.
Mayanja described the initiative as Uganda’s premier innovation experience for young minds, providing children with an opportunity to learn, create and showcase ideas that can address challenges in their communities.
He said the camp would become an annual event, with plans to establish a permanent centre for innovation, entrepreneurship and skilling.
“When our company turned 20 years, we wrote to Kamuli district to host this camp. We shall set up a centre for innovation, entrepreneurship and skilling,” Mayanja told participants.
He said NWT also aims to improve learners’ knowledge of computing and expose them to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
According to Mayanja, the programme will eventually be extended to other counties to give more children, particularly those in rural communities, opportunities to develop and showcase their talents.
Nakandulo Muslim Primary School emerged as the overall winner of the competition after impressing judges with a stage showcase.
Magogo Parents Primary School was also among the top-performing schools, while Global Education Centre and host school Lwanyama Primary School were among those that participated.
Other participating schools included Namisambya Primary School, St Kaloli Namaganda Primary School, Mt Zion Learning Centre, Rock of Ages Primary School and Child of Good Hope, among others.
The event attracted Kamuli district leaders, school head teachers, teachers and parents.
Among the officials in attendance were Michael Funda, the Kamuli district inspector of schools, who represented district education officer Joseph Waibi; Moses Mitala, the assistant chief administrative officer; and Godfrey Waibinde, the gombolola internal security officer, who represented the Kamuli resident district commissioner.
The officials handed out awards to participating schools and learners who excelled in the different categories of the innovation contest.
Mitala commended NWT for organising the camp, saying such initiatives could help rural learners discover and develop their abilities.
“Some of us studied in very distant schools in rural areas; we are here by God’s grace,” he said.
Mitala encouraged the learners to make practical use of the skills they had acquired during the camp and demonstrate their usefulness in their homes and communities.
“Utilise the skills you have acquired here. Show your parents that you can be useful in your homes,” he added.
He called for the initiative to be expanded to other parts of the country and commended head teachers, teachers and parents for supporting the learners to participate in the programme.
Funda, meanwhile, urged parents to create a conducive environment for their children to study and develop their talents.
He encouraged parents to plant fruit trees, invest in scholastic materials and school uniforms, and ensure their children have adequate food while at school.
Funda said supporting children’s basic needs was important in enabling them to concentrate on their education and make the most of opportunities such as the innovation camp.
Ash Luwambo, the programme lead of the Grassroots Innovation Camp, said children living far from Kampala and other major urban centres often have limited opportunities to showcase their talents and innovations.
He said the Kamuli camp was intended to bridge that gap by taking innovation opportunities closer to children in rural communities.
“This is the beginning of so much greatness. For us, this is planting a seed,” Luwambo said.
The organisers said they hope the annual camp will continue to encourage young learners to identify challenges in their communities and develop practical solutions using locally available resources, technology and creativity.
