High Impact Innovation Award

Peak Primary School

Best Food Security Innovation Award

Kampala Diplomatic International School

Best Low-cost Sustainable Robot Award

The Olive School

Robotics for Good youth challenge is the leading UN-based educational robotics championship, inspired each year by a global challenge where robots provide innovative, practical solutions to real-world problems.

The 2025/2026 Robotics for Good Challenge focuses on Food security

As agriculture faces increasing pressure from resource constraints and a growing global population, food systems must adapt to meet ever-higher demand while maintaining productivity and economic viability. It is essential to optimize the use of available land and water, improve efficiency, and ensure equitable access to agricultural products. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), “agriculture must meet the needs of present and future generations for its products and services, while ensuring profitability and social and economic equity” (FAO, 2014)

In the face of these challenges, technology has become a key ally in transforming agricultural practices. For example, precision-agriculture technologies such as GPS-guided machinery have revolutionized sowing and harvesting, allowing farmers to maximize yields and reduce waste. Drone technology is also widely used to monitor crop health and optimize irrigation systems, demonstrating the practical impact of technological advances on agriculture. Breakthroughs in robotics and artificial intelligence offer innovative solutions to optimize resource use, increase efficiency, and protect biodiversity. Agricultural robots have the potential to perform critical tasks such as crop selection, irrigation, pest control, and harvesting, minimizing waste and maximizing precision.

In this context, the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2025-2026, curated by make+learn, focuses on tackling these critical issues through robotics applied to agriculture. The competition challenges participating teams to design, build, and program robots capable of solving real-world problems in the agricultural sector, fostering technological innovation worldwide.

In this year’s challenge, the mission is divided into two main actions inspired by real agricultural processes: selective cultivation and irrigation, and fruit harvesting and sorting. The game field is designed to simulate these processes and test the robots’ ability to operate autonomously within a limited time.

Each match lasts 2 minutes, during which the robots must operate autonomously, with no human intervention once the round begins.

The competition promotes the use of open-source software and hardware, allowing participants full freedom in assembling and programming their robots. Its mission is to democratize access to robotics and AI education, helping to bridge the digital skills gap. The challenge also encourages the use of recycled materials and the development of environmentally friendly technologies, emphasizing the importance of building sustainable robots.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES & SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR UGANDA FINALISTS – ROBOTICS FOR GOOD YOUTH CHALLENGE UGANDA 2025–2026

As you prepare for the finals, we would like to share important guidelines and mandatory submission requirements aimed at ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and meaningful impact during the final competition. These guidelines build upon the official rulebook and are specifically designed to create a balanced and equitable environment for all finalist teams.

Commitment to fair play and equity

Strategic problem-solving
Autonomy and adaptability
Responsible and ethical engineering

All teams are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and respect for fellow competitors, referees, and the competition environment.

Hardware transparency

All finalist teams will be required to submit a brief disclosure of the components used in their robots, including controllers, sensors, and mechanical systems. This promotes transparency and ensures a level playing field for all participants.

Emphasis on Low-Cost and Scalable Innovation

In alignment with the challenge theme of sustainable agriculture and real-world impact, teams are strongly encouraged to design solutions that are:

Cost-effective
Scalable in low-resource environments
Built using locally available or easily accessible materials

We particularly encourage approaches that incorporate:

Locally sourced materials
Recycled or repurposed components
Simple, efficient engineering designs

We discourage:

Fully pre-assembled proprietary solutions that bypass student learning
Hidden automation modules not understood by the team

Mandatory Finalist Submissions

To strengthen evaluation and showcase the depth of your innovation, each finalist team is required to submit the following:

Robot Concept Note (2–4 pages)

This document should clearly outline:

Team details: Name, School, Class, Age, Gender
Overview of your robot design and objectives
System architecture (hardware and software)
Key components used and their functions
Cost breakdown of your entire robot implementation
Description of how the robot was built (including use of local or recycled materials, if applicable)
Power requirements and operational constraints
Strategy for completing Mission 1 (Cultivation & Irrigation) and Mission 2 (Harvesting & Sorting)
Challenges faced and how they were solved

Innovation Pitch Deck (5–10 slides)

Your pitch deck should present your broader food security innovation, including:

Problem statement (linked to agriculture/food systems)
Your solution and how the robot contributes to solving it
Target users (e.g., farmers, schools, communities)
Scalability and real-world application
Cost and accessibility considerations
Expected impact (social, economic, environmental)

Teams will be invited to present this pitch during the finals judging sessions.

Low-Cost Innovation Recognition

Special consideration will be given to teams that demonstrate:

High performance using minimal resources
Creative use of local materials
Solutions that can be replicated in schools and farming communities

Such teams will be eligible for the “Best low-cost innovation” Award, and this aspect will contribute to the overall evaluation under cost efficiency and impact.

Finals judging focus

In addition to match performance, the finals will place increased emphasis on:

Innovation and strategy
Cost-to-impact efficiency
Practical relevance to agricultural challenges

We look forward to witnessing solutions that combine technical excellence with accessibility, creativity, and impact.

Kindly ensure that all required submissions are completed and shared with the organizing committee (yc@creativechildf.org, CC: lapoljesca@gmail.com). Should you require any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

About the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is an UN-based educational robotics championship that each year is inspired on a global challenge in relation to which robots offer practical solutions to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participants design, build and program a robot that completes a mission based on one of these goals. While learning robotics and coding, students gain more than just technical know-how, but also vital working-life and future skills, including but not limited to teamwork, problem-solving, project management, critical thinking, and information retrieval.

The competition fosters free-software and hardware robotics, allowing unrestricted assembly and programming of the robots. It aims to promote inclusivity, enabling learning in robotics and coding regardless of gender, socio-economic status, or academic ability. Additionally, it encourages the use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly solutions, emphasizing the development of sustainable robots.

Why Participate?

Who Can Participate?

NOTE: Participants must be passionate about robotics, AI, and creating solutions that can contribute to achieving the SDGs.

Key Dates:

Program Schedule

Time	Activity	Details
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM	Arrival & Registration	Participant check-in (teams, teachers, guests) Setup of robotics arenas and exhibition spaces Media and partner registration
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM	Opening Session	National Anthem Opening Prayer Welcome remarks – Creative Child Foundation Welcome remarks – Makerere University Innovation Pod Welcome remarks – International Telecommunication Union
9:20 AM - 9:35 AM	Event Orientation & Competition Briefing	Overview of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2026 Explanation of competition rules and judging criteria Introduction of judges and technical officials Team grouping and rotation guidelines
9:35 AM -1:00 PM	CORE COMPETITION, INNOVATION & SIDE EVENTS (PARALLEL SESSIONS)	TRACK A: Robotics Challenge (Preliminary Rounds) Robot inspection and compliance check Trial runs and calibration Preliminary competition runs Initial scoring and ranking TRACK B: Innovation Pitching (Preliminary Rounds) Team presentations (primary, secondary, university levels) Q&A sessions with judges Shortlisting of top finalists TRACK C: STEM CAPACITY BUILDING & LEARNING SESSIONS (SIDE EVENTS) Introduction to computer programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence Hands-on STEM learning experiences (guided practical sessions) Development of public speaking and presentation skills for young innovators Mentorship sessions with engineers, innovators, and university students
10:30 PM - 12:30 PM	Exhibition & Demo Zone (Ongoing)	Robotics showcases from finalist teams Exhibitions from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions University innovation displays Interactive learning stations Networking opportunities with mentors, innovators, and peers
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM	Lunch Break & Networking	Interaction between students, teachers, partners Engagement with mentors and innovators Media interviews and documentation
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM	Judges Deliberation & Finalist Preparation	Compilation of scores Selection of top finalists (robotics & innovation) Finalists briefing and preparation
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM	Arrival of Chief Guest & Dignitaries	Protocol reception Recognition and seating of guests and dignitaries
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM	Official Welcome & Introduction of Dignitaries	Acknowledgement of dignitaries Brief event recap
3:10 PM - 3:30 PM	FINAL ROBOTICS CHALLENGE ROUNDS	Top teams compete live before audience and Chief Guest Judges finalize scoring
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM	TOP INNOVATION PITCHES (FINALISTS)	Final presentations on Food Security innovations Final evaluation by judges
3:45 PM - 3:55 PM	High-Level Remarks	Remarks – Director, Makerere University Technology & Innovation Center Remarks – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University Remarks – UNDP Uganda Remarks – Chief Guest Reflections on youth innovation and national development
3:55 PM - 4:10 PM	Awards & Recognition	Special Awards (Girls in STEM, Creativity, Impact) Best Innovation – Food Security High impact innovation award Best Junior Team (Global finalist) Best Senior Team (Global finalist) Best University Team (Regional finalist)
4:10 PM - 4:15 PM	Closing & Group Photo	Vote of Thanks Official closing Group photo and media engagement

A week of Robotics & AI training at Makerere University - RFG youth challenge 2026 edition

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2026 – Uganda took a significant step forward this week (10th - 14th March 2026) as passionate university students gathered for an intensive robotics and artificial intelligence training program at the Makerere University Innovation Pod. Organized by the Creative Child Foundation in collaboration with Makerere University Innovation Pod and student innovation leaders from Makerere Engineering Society, the five-day workshop equipped participants with practical skills in robotics design, programming, and innovation for real-world challenges.

Throughout the week, students were introduced to the fundamentals of robotics, including microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators, while gaining hands-on experience building simple robotic systems using Arduino platforms. As the sessions progressed, participants moved beyond basic electronics to explore autonomous robot logic, sensor integration, and prototype development.

A key highlight of the training was the focus on designing robotics solutions for food security, the global theme of the upcoming challenge. Working in teams, participants brainstormed and developed innovative concepts for robots that could support agriculture—ranging from smart irrigation systems and crop monitoring robots to automated solutions for reducing food losses.

Beyond technical skills, the workshop emphasized teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, encouraging students to think critically about how robotics and AI can address some of the most pressing development challenges facing Uganda and the world.

By the end of the week, participants had begun shaping their robot prototypes and project ideas in preparation for the national stage of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge. The training also fostered a strong sense of community among young innovators eager to collaborate and contribute to technology-driven solutions for sustainable development.

As the program continues, the initiative aims to inspire more young people to explore robotics, strengthen Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, and prepare teams that could represent the country on the global stage. Through initiatives like this, Creative Child Foundation and its partners are helping nurture the next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers who will use technology to build a better future.

DAY 3

DAY 2

DAY 1

Gallery - Open training workshop for over 600 secondary school students

In preparation for the upcoming Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2026 – Uganda Chapter, the Creative Child Foundation, in partnership with the Makerere University Innovation Pod and the Inter-versity Mentorship Forum, on 18th December 2025 conducted an impactful robotics and engineering workshop at Gayaza High School.

The three-hour interactive workshop introduced over 600 secondary school students to the fundamentals of robotics, engineering design, and creative problem-solving. The session aimed to demystify robotics and artificial intelligence while inspiring young learners to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Bringing Robotics Closer to Young Minds
Through engaging demonstrations and practical explanations, students learned how robotics systems are designed and how engineering thinking can be applied to solve real-world challenges. The workshop also provided an introduction to the upcoming national robotics competition, where students will have the opportunity to design innovative solutions addressing global issues. A key focus of the training was inclusion and early exposure to technology, ensuring that both girls and boys—many encountering robotics for the first time—could confidently participate in STEM learning opportunities.

A Global Movement for Youth Innovation
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is part of a global initiative led by the International Telecommunication Union, encouraging young innovators worldwide to build robotics solutions that address real societal challenges. Participants in the Uganda chapter will progress through national competitions with the possibility of representing the country at the AI for Good Global Summit in 2026.

Building the Future Through STEM
This outreach workshop reflects Creative Child Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people with digital and engineering skills that prepare them for the future economy. By introducing robotics early and providing accessible learning experiences, the initiative is helping nurture a new generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and technology leaders in Uganda.
As preparations continue for the national finals in 2026, more schools and students will be engaged through training, mentorship, and innovation activities designed to unlock the full potential of Uganda’s youth.
At Creative Child Foundation, we believe that when young minds are given the tools to innovate, they can build solutions that transform communities and shape a better future for the world. 🚀

Peak Primary School - Ntinda & Our Lady of Africa SS shine

In an intense competition filled with creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, Our Lady of Africa SS (Senior Category) and Peak Primary School (Junior Category) emerged as the national champions of 2024/2025 edition!

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is more than a competition; it is a platform that empowers young people aged 8 to 18 to become innovators and changemakers through hands-on experience with Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and STEM education. Through this program, students gain the confidence and skills needed to tackle real-world challenges — driving sustainable solutions for their communities and beyond.

The national finalists showcased inspiring ideas ranging from early-warning disaster systems, AI-powered emergency response, to sustainable robotics for post-disaster recovery. Their dedication is proof that when young minds are equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and learning spaces, they can innovate for impact.