KAMPALA: The Stanbic National Schools Championship (Battle of the Champions) has scooped two prestigious awards at the Uganda Marketing and Excellence Awards (UMEAS) 2025, winning Best Not-for-Profit/Social Good Campaign and Best Use of Sustainability.
The awards were presented during a high-profile gala organized by Evolve Africa at the Kampala Serena Hotel, bringing together leading brands, marketers, and industry stakeholders from across the country.
The “Battle of the Champions” marked a decade of the Stanbic National Schools Championship, a flagship youth innovation programme by Stanbic Bank Uganda that has become a cornerstone in promoting entrepreneurship, creativity, and problem-solving within Uganda’s education system.
The fifth edition of UMEAS celebrated excellence in marketing under the theme “Promoting Sustainable Marketing Excellence,” with various companies and brands showcasing outstanding campaigns and business performance.
Speaking on behalf of Stanbic Bank Uganda, Ms. Diana Kahunde, the Acting Head of Brand and Marketing, expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to innovation and service excellence.
“As Stanbic Bank Uganda, we bask in the glory of this well-deserved award. The institution remains steadfast in living its purpose ‘Uganda is our home, we drive her growth’—and we are committed to continuing to raise the bar for exceptional campaigns and innovations in the financial sector,” she said.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Martin Mukama, Head of Partnerships and Alliances at Evolve Africa, noted that the event marked both five years of celebrating impactful marketing work and the launch of a new tradition through Uganda’s first State of Marketing Address.
Winners were selected by a six-member Marketing Council comprising seasoned industry experts. Judging criteria included leadership, contribution to the marketing profession, experience, and academic qualifications. The council accounted for 60 percent of the final decision, while the public vote contributed 40 percent in seven of the thirteen award categories.
This year’s awards placed strong emphasis on sustainability, assessing how campaigns responsibly utilized resources and delivered sustainable returns on investment.
The Uganda Marketing and Excellence Awards were inspired by innovative campaigns developed by brands during the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated resilience and creativity during challenging times.
The Stanbic National Schools Championship is part of Stanbic Bank’s Corporate Social Investment Programme, aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among students in secondary and vocational institutions across Uganda through mentorship and training.
Full List of UMEAS 2025 Winners
- Brand of the Year: NRG Radio Uganda
- Best Not-for-Profit/Social Good Campaign: Stanbic National Schools Championship (Battle of Champions)
- Rising Agency of the Year: Node Group Consult
- Best Innovation: Sapphire Club – I&M Bank
- Best Use of Experiential Marketing: Don Julio 1942 Launch at Mezo
- Marketing Campaign of the Year: GOtv KaWeekie
- Best Use of Partnership Marketing (Menstrual Hygiene Management Project): World Vision Uganda
- Best Use of Digital Marketing: Spinny & Friends – Malembe Holdings
- Marketing Pioneer Award: Susan Nsibirwa
- Agency of the Year: Maad McCann
- PR Campaign of the Year (Airtel): Spire Crisis Management Campaign
