The Vice Chairperson of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Board of Directors, Sarah Kagingo, has commended Stanbic Bank Uganda for its continued investment in nurturing student innovators, some as young as senior one.
Kagingo praised the bank for empowering learners with skills and platforms to develop market-driven solutions.
“Thank you for investing in the future of learners, who are the next generation of entrepreneurs,” Kagingo said.
“From solutions diagnosing infections, the fuel-free generator tailored for small businesses, mosquito repellents preventing malaria, to the Gluco-kit for monitoring blood sugar in diabetes management, we have witnessed the creativity and innovation of the young champions.”
She emphasised that young people should be regarded as critical partners in development.
“They do not come to the table empty-handed; they contribute novel, brilliant ideas. Thank you, Stanbic, for investing in them,” she added.
Highlighting PSFU’s three decades of experience in advancing Uganda’s private sector, Kagingo noted that inclusive innovation requires collaboration with the youth.
“At PSFU, we have learned that when we take a step back to co-create and co-design with young people, we deliver better,” she said.
She further called on stakeholders to support the commercialisation of innovations emerging from schools, urging the formalisation and scaling up of promising projects.
Kagingo particularly commended innovation hubs that have already pursued certification of their diagnostic solutions in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
The Stanbic National Schools Champions program, now attracting nationwide participation, seeks to equip learners with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and resources to transform ideas into viable businesses.