Gulu University crowned champions of the 8th Inter University debating
Gulu University have been declared the champions of this year's National Inter-University Poetry, Debating Championship.
Represented by David Omara and Elisha Kakanyero, Gulu University earned the title of best debaters, followed by Kyambogo University, whose representatives; Deborah Kahinju and Mary Sharon Karungi, emerged one of the standout debaters.
The championship finale, themed "Climate Change and Environment: The Youth-Led Innovations We Need," took place on Friday at Kyambogo University.
The two-day event featured participation from 15 universities and schools, with debaters addressing various social, economic, climate, and political issues affecting Uganda.
During the event, Dr. Geoffrey Arinaitwe, the chief guest and director of research at the National Coffee Research Institute Uganda, highlighted the importance of such competitions in fostering young people's creativity and innovation for socio-economic development.
"This competition, the debating, it connects people in research, in university and in the industry. It helps students and actors in how to express themselves strongly and developing public speaking skills and communication skills is one of the key ingredients leaders of institutions and organisations require," Dr Arinaitwe said.
He also mentioned that the competition aligns well with Uganda's initiatives to address climate change, expressing hope that participants will apply the skills and knowledge gained from the event to create innovative solutions for climate challenges.
"That was the gist of the matter in the debate. If we can give tools, skills and innovation, climate change management to the majority of the people in this country, we know as they grow, they put these tools and practices in place. And they can participate in modifying the climate change effect, assuring Uganda a climate smart future," he said.
Fredrick Musiimenta, the founder of Uganda Dialogue Arena (UDA) highlighted that this was the 8th edition of the championship.
He mentioned that this year's focus was on climate change and innovative strategies for socio-economic transformation.
"And particularly for the last five years, we were focused on climate change and the environment. That's why this year's theme was about climate change, challenges, then the innovations that can be brought about by young people,'' Musiimenta said.
"So the debaters here were focusing on the solutions to the challenges we have. Yes, and we had about, we had, this was a special event in that it was a hybrid," he added.
He asserted that the long-term vision for the competition is that not only are they doing debating, but are also engaging young people to come up with innovations.
"And because we had people who were here the other time, they were exhibiting what they have been able to innovate, like in terms of climate, smart agriculture, some value addition done to food for it to last longer in case of droughts or severe rains, what can be done by these poor people into agriculture to make sure there is food that can sustain the masses in times of extreme need,'' Musiimenta said.
Dr. Emmanuel Zziwa, the team lead of the climate change program at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, expressed support for the championship, highlighting its focus on youth and innovation in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
He noted that these discussions inspire young people to share their perspectives and ideas on managing the world and conserving natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations.
"We recognize that climate change poses one of the greatest threats to humanity, and we are fully aware that we have only one planet to inhabit," Dr. Zziwa stated.
Meanwhile, Hanan Namakula and Ashmat assisted Sumaiya Girls School in winning the Best Novice Team award.
The top performers received trophies, certificates, and medals for their participation in the competition.