DR. OBOTE COLLEGE CROWNS LANGOS TOP SCIENCE INNOVATOR AT SESEMAT REGIONAL ROBOTICS COMPETITION

LCC TV NEW 

LIRA CITY, Uganda – Dr. Obote College has been crowned the overall winner of the inaugural SESEMAT Regional Robotics and Innovation Competition, outshining ten other government secondary schools from across the Lango sub-region with a groundbreaking robot designed to detect early symptoms of the Ebola virus.

The event, hosted at Lango College in Lira City, was organized by SESEMAT in partnership with the Regional Management Committee (RMC). It brought together young science enthusiasts to showcase practical applications of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts in addressing community challenges.

Dr. Obote College’s student team impressed the panel of judges with their functional prototype, which leverages sensor technology to identify key physiological indicators associated with Ebola. Their victory places them at the forefront of a new wave of student-led technological innovation in the region.

While Dr. Obote College took the top honors—walking away with the overall trophy and a certificate—the competition saw a diverse array of projects from participating institutions. Other schools presented innovative solutions in chemistry and various scientific disciplines. The competing institutions included St. Catherine Secondary School, Father Aloysius Secondary School, Adwari Secondary School, Bar Secondary School, Inomo Secondary School, Lira Secondary School, Comboni College, Lango College, Amach Complex Secondary School, and Lira Town College. All participating schools received certificates in recognition of their efforts and creativity.

Challenges and Areas for Growth

Despite the high level of ingenuity on display, the judging panel noted critical areas requiring improvement for future competitions. Betty Auma, a judicator and teacher at Comboni College, observed that while many students demonstrated immense potential, several factors hindered the performance of some teams.

"Language barriers, stage fright, limited understanding of their projects, and inadequate mastery of the underlying scientific concepts were significant challenges for some learners," Ms. Auma stated. She urged educators from schools that underperformed to strengthen mentorship programs and provide more rigorous guidance to ensure students can effectively articulate and defend their innovations.

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Officials present at the event emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum generated by the competition. Alfred Oparo, Vice Chairperson of the Regional Management Committee (RMC), encouraged the young innovators to continue refining their scientific ideas rather than abandoning them once the competition concluded.

Mr. Oparo also commended the Ministry of Education and Sports, alongside the Government of Uganda, for their continued investment in science education. "Such initiatives are crucial in nurturing the next generation of scientists and problem-solvers who will drive Uganda's technological advancement," he remarked.

Florence Epila, the RMC Regional Coordinator, praised the students for demonstrating that learners are moving beyond theoretical classroom knowledge to apply science to real-world problems. "The quality of these projects shows a shift in how our youth are engaging with science. They are not just learning; they are creating solutions," she said.

In his closing remarks, Sam Bob Okino, Headteacher of Lango College, underscored that Uganda’s future scientific and technological development hinges on current investments in young innovators. He issued a challenge to parents to take an active role in supporting their children’s scientific interests both at school and at home.

"We lose many talented learners simply because they lack encouragement and resources at the foundational level," Mr. Okino noted. "Science innovation is a collective responsibility between the school, the government, and the family."

The SESEMAT Regional Robotics and Innovation Competition has set a new benchmark for scientific engagement in the Lango sub-region, highlighting the vast potential of Uganda's youth in driving forward the nation's development agenda through science and technology.