Makerere University emerged winners of the inaugural National Inter University Debates under the “It Takes A World (ITAW)” campaign aimed at ending violence against children.
The virtual advocacy tournament involved 88 debaters, 44 teams, 22 universities and over 281 participants and run from August 18-20 2021. The debate was organised by World Vision in partnership with the Global Platforms of ActionAid International Uganda, The Uganda Dialogue Arena (UDA) and Debate Institute Africa under the theme, “Harnessing the potential of the students’ movement to eliminate violence against children.”
The 4 finalist universities were, in there order of grand finale performance, Makerere University (winners: Angelo Sewanonda and Fortunate Okello), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (1st runners up: Edgar Mutungisa and Moses Semusu), Kampala International University western campus (2nd runners up: Tendo John Senkaaba Tendo and Caroline Gift Nabukeera) and Islamic University In Uganda female campus (finalists: Sabrina Atwiine and Nusfah Nasaazi).
The overall best speaker of the tournament was Edgar Mutungisa from Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
“The debates have been part of the bold expression of the campaign to promote human transformation, seek justice, uphold rights of the children to be protected and bear witness to the kingdom of God,” Prosper Mubangizi, policy and campaign specialist at the World Vision Uganda.
The debate tournament was part of the broader campaign to End Child Marriage (ECM), End Child Sacrifice (ECS) and End Violence against Children in Schools (EVACiS).
The CEO Uganda Dialogue Arena, Fredrick Musiimenta said ITAW Debates was the first tournament on ending violence against children. He argued that failure to protect and provide for children is simply an accident in waiting as they will find solace in the industry of crime.
