Team Uganda! We are an all-girls team, a testament to the incredible power of girls in action. Our homeland, Uganda, is nestled in East Africa and is often referred to as the Pearl of Africa due to its breathtaking landscapes and the honor of hosting the source of the world’s longest river, the Nile. Our team comprises five exceptional, passionate, and captivating young ladies hailing from different high schools across the nation. We are known for creating exceptional robots and we proudly stand as the foremost advocates for STEM education through the avenue of robotics in our country.

We’re immensely thrilled to share that we’ll be among the participants in the upcoming 2023 FIRST Global Challenge. With great anticipation, we look forward to joining fellow robotic enthusiasts in Singapore, where we will undoubtedly learn, grow, and showcase the impact of our dedication.

Team Members:

Herman Asmerom G, Team Captain: is seventeen years old, is enrolled in form three at Mengo High School. Hermon is passionate about environmental conservation using technology. She created a prototype robot that cleans seas and lakeshores and hopes to continue improving it and implement it in real life to reduce effects of climate change and plastics. Hermon is also passionate about public speaking, debates and this has won her many awards and prizes country wide, addition she spends most of her time writing poems about environmental conservation. Her dream career is a lawyer. She believes she can protect People’s rights, bring justice especially after seeing the injustice in her mother country. She also believes she will advocate for environmental conservation and protect mother earth.

Matilda Nakaye, is a 16-year-old Ugandan girl currently in senior three at St. Joseph’s Naggalama senior secondary school. Born and raised in Central Uganda, Matilda embodies determination and creativity, aiming to make a difference in her community and beyond through her passion for technology and medicine.

Matilda aspires to become a software engineer with a particular focus on applying her skills to contribute to the field of medicine. Her desire to make a positive impact on healthcare through technology is truly inspiring. Matilda has actively participated in coding and robotics classes, particularly with organizations like Fundibots and Apps and Girls. These classes have provided Matilda with enriching experiences. She has actively contributed to projects such as a robotic wheelchair and a washing machine, reflecting her innovative mindset and problem-solving abilities. Matilda’s passion for literature knows no bounds as she enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction works. Alongside her love for books, she also indulges in watching movies, which adds to her diverse interests. In addition to her academic achievements, Matilda has dedicated herself to exploring various disciplines. She has completed courses in photography and robotics, demonstrating her eagerness to delve into different areas of knowledge.

Samrawit Ghebrehiwot, the spokesperson for Team Uganda, aged sixteen years is enrolled in form three at Mengo Senior School. She is a smart, intelligent and vibrant girl that has great enthusiasm for STEM. Samrawit is passionate about changing the world through improving the lives of vulnerable people in society and ending human rights violations. Samrawit is an award winning public speaker and debate. She believes there’s power in speech to create transformation. Her dream career is software (AI) engineering and pursuing a diploma in human rights law. Samrawit believes to use her skills to better and uplift the many suppressed people and inspire many of other girls to tap their potential. In her freetime, she enjoys watching documentaries, reading novels and graphic designing.

Akampa Joy Orwin, a middle school student at Bugema Adventist Secondary School, has always worked hard to seize any STEM-related chances that come her way, regardless of the team chemistry or her modest family status. She has a strong interest in technology, especially programming, and her career goal is computer science. Her journey into the world of ICT and computer science began in 2019, and since then, Joy’s passion has only grown stronger. She stands out not just for her personal accomplishments, but for her selflessness as well. Joy generously volunteers her time to assist fellow students within her school and community in applying for online opportunities. Moreover, she eagerly shares her technological knowledge with those around her. In addition, Joy is creating a website that helps teens access sexual reproductive health support (knowledge, counseling from professional counselors, professional medical advice etc), the web based platform also helps young people to access mental health support in Uganda.

Akampa Mitina is presently enrolled at SETA High school in form 2 of secondary school. Mitina was born and raised in remote parts of western Uganda and moved to the capital city Kampala for her secondary school education, where she encountered Apps and Girls programs in her school and developed a strong passion for robotics. She is passionate about making and building machines that solve community problems and she is currently building a sanitary pad vending machine that helps girls in rural areas access sanitary pads when at school at affordable prices. Her innovation will help many girls to stay in school and improve their academic performance. Mitina dreams to pursue a career in mechanical engineering or mechatronics. Mitina is a humorous girl who loves music, dancing, modeling and creative arts.

Thank you to our supporters!