Toyota Motor Corporationhas honoured two young Ugandan artists, Dariona Gibson Nyehangane and Natasha Mahoro Williams, after they were named Best Finalists at the global stage of the 19th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. The awards, marking Ugandaâs first-ever recognition in the contest, were presented by CFAO Mobility during an end-of-term assembly at Friends International Christian Academy in Mbarara. The celebration highlighted a remarkable achievement for the young artists, their school, and the country.
Dariona, who was six years old at the time of application, earned the Best Finalist distinction in Category 1 for children aged seven and under with her artwork titled âLonely-Lifting Smiling Car.â Natasha, who was 10 at the time of application, was recognised in Category 2 for children aged eight to 11 for âThe Dispute-Melter Peace Bus.â Both children attend Friends International Christian Academy.
Each finalist received USD 3,000 from Toyota Motor Corporation to support their education, as well as a commemorative award plaque recognising their success on the world stage. CFAO Mobility Uganda, Toyotaâs official representative in the country presented the awards on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation in front of the school community, bringing the international recognition home to Mbarara.
The two Ugandan artworks were selected from a highly competitive global field. National contests were held in 87 countries and regions, attracting approximately 260,000 entries by March 2026. At the World Contest, one Grand Prize winner and seven Best Finalists were selected in each of the three age categories; 7 years and under, 8 â 11 years and 12 â 15 years, alongside winners of two special awards. Uganda therefore claimed 2 of the 21 Best Finalist places awarded globally.
âSeeing two Ugandan children recognised among the worldâs Best Finalists is a proud moment for Uganda, their school and CFAO Mobility Uganda. Dariona and Natasha have shown that an idea imagined and drawn by a child in Uganda can earn recognition on the global stage. Through this contest, Toyota is giving children space to imagine how mobility can respond to peopleâs needs and help create a better future. We celebrate their creativity and hope their achievement inspires many more young Ugandans to believe in their ideas,â said Isaac Tegule, Marketing Manager at CFAO Mobility Uganda.
The international judging panel brought together experts in art, design, motorsports, journalism and curation, as well as Toyota Motor Corporation representatives involved in vehicle design and technology. Entries were assessed on the strength of their message, originality and artistic quality.
Dariona and Natasha began their journey through Ugandaâs third National Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, launched by CFAO Mobility Uganda in October 2025. The national competition invited children aged 15 and under to imagine the future of mobility and express their ideas through art, with the leading entries in each age category progressing to represent Uganda at the World Contest. The national contest entries submissions were judged by a distinguished panel, including Alex Kwizera, a Ugandan painter and illustrator, and Godwin Nabimanya, a school art teacher with 9 years of experience.Â
Launched in 2004, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest now in its 20th season, has received more than 10 million entries from 153 countries and regions. Guided by Toyotaâs mission to âProduce Happiness for All,â the initiative encourages children to enjoy the freedom of imagination and to share their ideas for a brighter future through their dream cars.
The achievement strengthens CFAO Mobility Ugandaâs commitment to nurturing creativity among young people and encouraging more Ugandan children to participate in future editions of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.
For more information about the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, visit https://www.toyota-dreamcarart.com/
