Ugandan Parents Are Embracing Coding Boot Camps for Their Kids

When I was younger, I always dreamed of becoming an inventor. Something about creating stuff and tinkering with code always appealed to me and still does. Of course, being young the fascination was partly fueled by the movies—ones with inventors, programming geniuses the likes of Iron Man, 😂. When those films came out, I found myself imagining the possibility of creating such technology, having big dark-theme monitors doing whatever the geniuses did. Alas, growing up in Uganda, such dreams felt distant. For decades, a child interested in tech, robotics, or innovation had to endure nearly 14 years of schooling—primary through secondary—before taking computer-intensive courses at university. While it’s true that Computer Studies is offered as a subject in secondary schools, let’s face it—it doesn’t truly inspire enthusiasts. As a result, many dreams fall apart along the way.

Meanwhile, in the West, kids as young as 4 were exploring robotics, coding, and programming their toys. The envy I felt, watching videos of my peers working on robot toys, and playing around with code such as scratch (an object-oriented programming language) was a favorite for youngster programmers back in the day.

Today, however, things are changing. At long last, Ugandan children can enjoy the magic of coding and innovation early on. Thanks to an increasing focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), coding boot camps, and programs that cater to younger age groups, the dream that seemed out of reach for my generation is now becoming a reality for the next, especially with supportive parents.

Uganda’s push for sciences is no secret. In that regard, over the years Uganda has pushed towards tech sensitization and education, particularly among children and high schoolers via government initiatives and private initiatives like Young Engineers Uganda, which runs Lego-based engineering and robotics workshops. Competitions like the National STEM Education and VEX Robotics Championship (Happening 29^th November) are also promoting innovation by giving students platforms to showcase their talents as well as inspiring their peers into the system.

For instance, teams representing Uganda at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, showcased impressive skills in engineering and programming. Competing against thousands of students from over 40 countries, the teenagers demonstrated that Uganda’s young innovators can hold their own on a global stage.

These successes have inspired a surge of interest in robotics and coding back home. Schools across Kampala, such as Kampala Parents School, Rainbow International School, and Galaxy International School, have incorporated STEM activities into their curricula. Many now host internal coding and robotics challenges to encourage participation and build a culture of innovation.

Outside the classroom, organizations like Code Impact Uganda and Tech Kidz Africa offer coding boot camps that introduce children to programming, app development, and game design. The STEM LEGO Competitions managed by ASIST have also gained traction, teaching kids programming through hands-on LEGO robotics projects. Such initiatives have broadened access to STEM education, inspiring even more children to explore the world of technology.

Why parents are starting to invest in coding boot camps
Parents are starting to realize that the world is tech-run today. They recognize that coding boot camps are providing skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity; preparing children for the tech-driven future.

In addition, they view it as a productive pastime for their kids. Most parents come to view these boot camps as a productive way for their kids to spend time, better than “loitering” around. This can be seen in other fields as well, parents prefer their children to learn something in their free time, be it baking, tailor work…etc.

For programming and IT, they believe that by starting young, children build a strong foundation in tech, making it easier for them to transition into advanced concepts, especially for those who show a love for tech and engineering at a young age(I certainly did show love for this with the way I dismantled my toys). This head start is a move by parents to open doors for their kids to prestigious institutions and lucrative career opportunities.

Besides, in a country where traditional education often emphasizes theory over practice, coding bootcamps offer hands-on experience. Graduates of these programs are better prepared to meet the demands of the evolving job market, giving them a clear advantage in securing employment.

On the other hand, girl child parents are often drawn to initiatives like Technovation Challenge Uganda, which encourages girls to build apps that solve community challenges. Such programs prove that technology is for everyone, empowering young girls to break barriers in male-dominated fields.

For my generation, dreaming of tech careers meant waiting—and often giving up along the way. But today, thanks to the increasing availability of coding boot camps and STEM programs, Ugandan children can turn those dreams into reality. From young kids programming Lego-robots in classrooms to teenagers winning global robotics competitions, Uganda’s new generation of tech-savvy innovators is well on its way to making a mark on our tech sector.