By Mark Kawalya
A group of talented Ugandan students earned a silver medal at the recent Pan African Robotics Championship held in Dakar, Senegal.
The event, hosted at the NBA Africa Academy, showcased the continent’s brightest young talent and the latest technological advancements. Uganda was represented by the African School of Science and Technology (ASIST) under the Young Engineers Uganda initiative. The team achieved second place in the Stars League Category, missing the top spot by just four points behind Mali.
The Ugandan team’s robot also received the ‘Best Design’ Award for its innovative problem-solving in the oil and gas sector.
The championship saw participation from 25 African nations with a total of 94 teams. Uganda demonstrated remarkable performances from both the Tech League and Stars League teams.
The Tech League team excelled in their group, earning the highest points. Simultaneously, the Stars League team exhibited exceptional skills and strategic acumen throughout the competition. In the Stars League, the Ugandan students faced tough competitors from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali. Undeterred, they secured victory with the highest points, showcasing Uganda’s talent and determination.
The top four teams advanced to the finals as the competition intensified. The final round was a tense contest of precision, creativity, and teamwork. Young Engineers Uganda, driven by their passion for robotics, clinched second place with 20 points. Robots Mali claimed first place with 24 points.
Monica Arinaitwe, the Lead Coach for the ASIST team, expressed her pride in their accomplishment. “We are thrilled with this progress. Last year, we placed fourth. This year, we won silver. This is significant progress. I am proud of our students.
ASIST’s success underscores Uganda’s dedication to STEM education and technological progress.”
The schools commendable performance has brought honor to Uganda for three consecutive years and continues to inspire future generations of Ugandan innovators. The team’s robot was particularly noted for its unique ability to achieve the highest goalposts, a feat unmatched by other teams in the competition. Despite the challenges, including the intense pressure of the finals, the young team members excelled, showcasing resilience and ingenuity.
Looking back at the competition, Anatori Atucungwire, the assistant coach, emphasized the real-world applications of the event. In recognition of their achievement, the ASIST team has been invited to participate in the prestigious VEX World Robotics Championship in the United States.
