Makerere University’s 2025 Inter-College Debate Tournament crowned Law students Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi champions, after an intellectually charged contest that placed youth at the center of national development conversations.
Makerere University’s 2025 Inter-College Debate Tournament concluded with standout performances and bold ideas that may well shape Uganda’s future.
After two days of intense competition, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law emerged as overall winners, impressing judges and peers alike with their eloquence and mastery of issues. Their victory came in a grand finale debate on whether Uganda should increase national budget allocations to healthcare or education a topic mirroring real-life tensions in public spending.
The tournament was more than a competition; it was a leadership incubator. It featured three preliminary rounds tackling youth participation in politics, inequality and wealth distribution, and the controversial ban on raw material exports.
The semi-finals zeroed in on blue-collar apprenticeship, prompting participants to challenge societal biases and propose solutions for unemployment.
Organizers led by Debate Union Chairperson Akatwijuka Arthur and 91st Guild Representative Councils Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah—designed the debates to foster 21st-century leadership skills including self-expression, problem-solving, and civic engagement. Partnering with the Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF), the team ensured the tournament was both inclusive and impact-driven, with participation from all Makerere colleges, including the Jinja Campus.
Other outstanding participants included Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, who won the Public Speech Champion title, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences, crowned Poetry Champion for her stirring composition on inequality.
“This tournament wasn’t just about winning it was about building future leaders who are critical thinkers, informed citizens, and effective communicators,” said Akatwijuka Arthur. “In a world that is constantly evolving, this is the kind of training that counts.”
With such an emphasis on intellectual curiosity and national relevance, the tournament has set a high bar not just for campus competitions, but for how Uganda prepares its youth to engage, lead, and transform society.
