Toyota’s Global Dream Car Art Contest Returns to Uganda

CFAO Mobility Uganda is delighted to announce the return of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest for its 18th Edition, marking the second time it will be hosted in Uganda. This global initiative invites young visionaries aged 15 and under to unleash their creativity and envision the future of mobility through art. 

Launched in 2004, the yearly Toyota Dream Car Art Contest has since received total of approximately 9.4 million entries from 144 countries and regions. With the mission to “Produce Happiness for All”, Toyota is committed to create a society where people can dream of a brighter future and believes in the power of creativity as the driving force. Toyota holds this contest with the hope that children, who lead the future, will unleash their creativity, and enjoy having a dream.

In this 17th edition of the contest, which was also the very first in Uganda, national contests were held in 90 countries and regions, and a total of 712,845 entries were received globally by March 2024 with over 500 artwork submissions for the national contest in Uganda. From among the entries that passed the national contests and advanced to the world contest, one grand prize winner and seven best finalists were selected in each of the three age categories (age 7 and under, age 8 to 11, age 12 to 15), as well as one entry each for the special awards, “Let’s Change the Future of Cars” Award and “Waku-Doki” Award. 

Notable Global winners from 2024 included:

  • Category 1 (ages 7 and under): Daniela Smausova from the Czech Republic for “Our Flying Car.”
  • Category 2 (ages 8-11): Warisara Samrit from Thailand for “Lunch Car for Children.”
  • Category 3 (ages 12-15): Damion Deven from Indonesia for “P3truck (Provision-Promotion-Prosperity truck)
    The Let’s Change the Future of Cars Award: Ichika Kojima (age 11) from Japan for “A car that relies on photosynthesis”
  • The Waku-Doki Award: Moisey Nam (age 13) from South Korea for his “Puzzle Car”

The 18th edition of the contest will also be comprised of the National Contest and the World Contest. The submissions for the Uganda national contest will be open on Monday 11th November 2024 until Friday, 21st February 2025 as the closing date for submissions. The winners of the top three artworks from each category win exciting prizes like school fees and enter in the World Contest as representatives of Uganda, where they will have the chance to compete against dreamers from around the globe. In each category, the World Contest winners will walk away with USD 5,000 for themselves and USD 10,000 for their school while the 6 best finalists per category will each be awarded 3,000 USD.

Dreams cannot be limited. They are what motivate us to go for what we want in life. For children, dreaming is an act of courage, giving them the imaginary leap of faith, they need as they begin thinking about their future,” says Isaac Tegule, Marketing Manager CFAO Mobility. 

This contest is about much more than just art; it’s about building strong, lasting connections with our communities and customers. We hope to inspire the next generation—our children, who are the future of society, to develop an interest in cars and the Toyota brand, fostering meaningful ties with them from an early age. Through this initiative, we aim to not only enhance Toyota’s familiarity and positive image across Uganda but also to draw on the creative insights of young minds to fuel innovative ideas for Toyota’s future development,” added Isaac.  

The contest is open to all Ugandan children aged 15 and under, divided into three categories:

Category 1: 7 years old or under

Category 2: 8-11 years old

Category 3: 12-15 years old

The artwork submission can be done electronically via email dreamcar.ug@cfao.com  or hand delivered to any CFAO Mobility branches across the country, including CFAO MOBILITY Namanve Head OfficeKampala Branch on First Street, Industrial Area, Gulu Branch on Goma-Kitgum Road, Mbale Branch on Mwanyi Road and Buliisa Service Center in Buliisa Township. 

The submissions can also be made to the CFAO Mobility Authorised Service Centres; Kampala Daks Limited in Kamwokya (Opposite Uganda Museum), Arua NN on Arua – Pakwach Highway, Fort Portal Stitch & Sew on Mill Lane, Kabundaire, and Mbarara Formula 21 Pitstop Auto Service on Rwobuyenje, Mbarara.

Anita Atuhaire