Namagunga, Uganda Martyrs Namugongo Lead Uganda to 4th Place Finish at IYNT 2026
Two Ugandan teams reached the semifinals as Team Aether placed fourth, Team Calyx finished seventh and students from four schools earned individual and experimental honours.
Uganda breaks into the tournament’s leading group
Uganda has registered one of its strongest performances yet on the international science stage after finishing fourth out of 30 countries at the 2026 International Young Naturalists Tournament (IYNT), held in Greece in early April.
The achievement was driven by strong showings from Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga and Uganda Martyrs Secondary School Namugongo, whose teams advanced to the semifinals and placed among the world’s top contenders.
Team Aether from Namagunga secured fourth place globally, narrowly missing out on the final round, while Team Calyx from Namugongo finished seventh overall. Their results placed two Ugandan teams among the tournament’s top nine schools, a significant milestone for the country in international science competition.
A delegation with depth
Uganda among 30 countries
Representing Uganda in Greece
Namagunga, Gayaza, Namugongo and Luzira
Two Ugandan teams reached the semifinals
Team Aether
Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga4th globally
Team Calyx
Uganda Martyrs Secondary School Namugongo7th overall
Top nine
Two Ugandan teamsBoth placed among the tournament’s leading schools
Individual excellence and experimental skill
Doris Niwahereza
Luzira Secondary SchoolBest Reviewer
Nakato Maria Mugagga
Mt. St. Mary’s College NamagungaBest Opponent
Gayaza High School
Experimental RaceWinners
Research tested through scientific argument
The IYNT brings together secondary school students from around the world to tackle open-ended scientific problems through a format known as “Science Fights,” where teams present research findings, defend their methods and challenge opposing ideas in real time.
The Ugandan delegation comprised 30 students drawn from Namagunga, Gayaza High School, Namugongo and Luzira Secondary School. They competed in the Young Naturalists League alongside parallel international contests in physics and experimental sciences.
The pathway from UgandaKevin Desire Maasa, National Coordinator - Science Olympiad Foundation Uganda“Ugandan teams to the IYNT are selected through a six-month rigorous National Science Olympiad. Students spend several weeks working on open scientific problems, culminating in a national tournament where they must present, defend and critically challenge ideas in real time,” he said.
“Our focus has been to cultivate deep scientific thinking through research, experimentation and the ability to defend ideas under scrutiny. These are the same skills required in research, innovation and problem-solving beyond school,” Maasa noted.
Student voiceDoris Niwahereza - Best Reviewer“The IYNT is very educational because it gives us a chance to carry out research and find solutions based on scientific investigations. It encourages teamwork and builds confidence since we all get a chance to present our own solutions,” she said.
Returning home inspired
Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga Deputy Headteacher Rachel Kironde Laboke described the tournament as a rewarding experience for the school’s students.
“Our students returned home inspired, energized and more determined to continue promoting scientific thinking, inquiry and innovation among other learners,” she said.
She noted that the competition also exposed students to global perspectives through interaction with peers from different countries.
A growing culture of competitive science
Education observers say Uganda’s performance signals growing strength in competitive science education and highlights the potential of practical learning models that emphasise research, teamwork and critical thinking.
