Bridging Technical Skills and Entrepreneurship: Highlights from the JA Uganda End-of-Cycle Exhibition at Don Bosco VTC Bombo

Months of rigorous hands-on training, mentorship, and creative innovation culminated in a high-energy showcase at the Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Bombo during the Junior Achievement (JA) Uganda End-of-Cycle Exhibition.

On September 22, 2026 the event, hosted under the umbrella of the Gender Matters for Green TVET. A four-year program (2023–2026) supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation and Jugend Eine Welt across five Don Bosco TVET Centres in Uganda and Rwanda, demonstrated how technical education can be directly leveraged into viable, green, and sustainable business enterprises.

Setting the Stage: A Gateway to National Recognition

Opening the proceedings, the Job Service Officer (JSO), Mr. Egesa, delivered inspiring remarks that framed the exhibition as a critical learning platform rather than just a contest. He reminded trainees that long-term success in life stems from commitment, adaptability, and the constructive utilization of feedback.

Raising the stakes for the five competing student enterprises, Mr. Egesa announced that the overall winning company would earn a spot to represent the institution at the National Competitions in Kampala.

Rigorous 3-Stage Evaluation Process

To select the winner, a panel of three judges, Ms. Muyinza, Ms. Kirabo, and Mr. Simon, put the young entrepreneurs through a thorough three-part assessment:

1. Report Review: Company leadership presented their business progress reports to prove operational traction and organization.
2. Stall Assessment: Judges toured the display booths, examining the product samples directly and assessing trainees on marketing prowess, customer interaction, and display presentation.
3. Final Pitches: Each company took the stage for a formal pitch before the panel and the broader audience, presenting their business model, target market, and growth potential.

The Contenders and Key Takeaways

Five student-led companies competed on the day: Agri Genius, Galaxy Bends Enterprise, Plumbing Water Solutions, Smank, and The Talented.

While praising the high level of innovation displayed across the board, the judges provided key feedback to guide the students toward long-term commercial success:

• Clear Value Proposition: Deeply understand the core problem being solved and the exact value offered to customers.
• Financial Mastery: Gain a firm handle on production costs to ensure accurate pricing and healthy profit margins.
• Communication & Practice: Continuously practice presentations to overcome stage shyness and build confidence.

Representing JA Uganda, officials expressed gratitude to the trainees for their commitment, reiterating that true victory lies not in program completion alone, but in applying the acquired skills to real-world ventures.

Leadership Acknowledgments

The success of the cycle was a collaborative effort. Appreciation was extended to:

• The Student Entrepreneurs: For their dedication, innovation, and courage to pitch.
• Instructors & Administration: For providing guidance and institutional support throughout the term.
• JA Mentor Mr. Walulya Fred: For his persistent Friday mentorship sessions whenever the teams needed hands-on guidance.
• Development Partners: The Austrian Development Cooperation and Jugend Eine Welt for funding the transformative initiative.

Awards and Final Standings

Though the judges emphasized that every participant emerged a winner through the experience gained, three top enterprises were awarded seed prize money to reinvest directly into their ventures:

The JSO urged the winning teams to treat their cash prizes as functional growth capital to scale their enterprises, continuing the momentum built during the training cycle.