UCU Crowned Overall Winner at NCHE Exhibition Hosted at Gulu University

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has once again solidified its reputation for innovation and academic excellence after emerging as the overall winner of the 16th National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Exhibition held at Gulu University.

UCU clinched the top position in the Public Private Chartered Universities category, outperforming a competitive field of institutions from across the country.

Speaking after the win, team leader Martin Kabanda attributed the success to collective effort and dedication from both students and staff. “We thank God for this achievement. I want to appreciate the entire team, from students to staff and the organising committee, who have put in their time and wisdom,” he said.

In the same category, Mountains of the Moon University, which won last year’s edition, finished as first runner-up, while Uganda Martyrs University secured third place.

Organised annually by the National Council for Higher Education, the exhibition serves as a key platform for universities to showcase research outputs and student-driven innovations. The event has increasingly shifted focus toward commercialization and practical application, aligning academic work with Uganda’s socio-economic development goals.

This year’s exhibition was held under the theme “Harnessing Innovation for Economic Empowerment,” reflecting the growing emphasis on transforming university research into viable business solutions and employment opportunities.

In recent years, the NCHE exhibition has expanded beyond central Uganda, with regional editions hosted in cities such as Mbarara and Mbale to boost participation and visibility among institutions nationwide.

UCU’s latest victory marks a period of sustained dominance, having now won the exhibition six times in the past seven years. Despite finishing second in last year’s edition held in Mbarara, the university has quickly reclaimed its top position, reinforcing its status as a leader in innovation within Uganda’s higher education sector.

The win not only highlights UCU’s strength in research and innovation but also signals the growing competitiveness among universities striving to translate academic knowledge into real-world impact—an increasingly critical benchmark in modern higher education.