Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) recently participated in the highly competitive National University Quiz, organized by Vision Group, sponsored by Bank of Uganda, and powered by Net Studios. This prestigious event saw twenty universities vying for top honors across a diverse range of categories, including sports, geography, literature, music, politics, geographical features, world events, Greek mythology, leadership, Nobel prizes, banking, economics, medicine, and more.
The MUST team comprised four exceptional students: Ms. Namitala Cathy, a Bachelor of Pharmacy II student; Stuart Agaba, an MBChB III student; Jedidah Aliyo, a Bachelor of Software Engineering IV student; and Edgar Regan Ssenyonga, an MBChB V student. These brilliant minds were rigorously trained under the watchful eye of Ms. Angella Nakato Muyingo, the University  Communications officer in charge of Public Relations.
According to Ms. Muyingo, the team was selected through an intense intra-university knockout competition. “Students from various faculties showed immense interest in the quiz, especially after learning we were the defending champions of Season One,” she explained. “The registration process was followed by a week-long series of rigorous matches. The competition was fierce, with some matches stretching late into the night. We had to conduct rematches to ensure we selected the absolute best to represent MUST.” With the support from the university the team travelled to Kampala played all the matches till the quarter finals .
One of the most memorable moments of the quiz was the match against Soroti University. In this particular round, Agaba Stewart, the MBChB III student, astounded the audience by correctly answering 9 out of 10 questions related to the CECAFA (Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations) tournament. This exceptional performance captivated viewers and showcased the team’s impressive depth of knowledge.
Ultimately, the MUST team secured a commendable third-place finish. Gulu University emerged victorious as champions, followed by Lira University in second place. Despite the final ranking, the achievement was significant, with each team member and coach receiving a cash prize of 300,000 Ugandan Shillings and a tablet. Additionally, the university received valuable equipment worth 10 million Ugandan Shillings to support future academic endeavors.
Notably, Mr. Don Wanyama, the CEO of Vision Group, singled out Ms. Muyingo as a “super coach.” He lauded her outstanding character, emphasizing her unwavering motivation for her team, her encouragement of fellow coaches, her consistent prayers before each round, and her astute team selection strategy for each round.
The team was flagged off by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nixon Kamukama, who shared words of encouragement and motivation. He announced that at the beginning of the next academic year, the team would make a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor to present the equipment they had won. During the award ceremony team was accompanied by Dr. Kisaka Stevens the chair of appointments board of council
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent of the MUST students and their dedicated coach. It serves as an inspiration to the entire university community and highlights the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and student development.
