The World Schools Debate Format shall be used during the Green Schools national climate change debate challenge slated for August 28–30, 2023, in Kampala.

The chief adjudicator, Fredrick Musimenta of the Uganda Dialogue Arena, says the format has many advantages as it encourages the debaters to research and read widely.

“This World School Debate compels the learners to carry out vast research to enable them to appreciate the impact of climate change,” Musimenta said in an interview.

“The model allows participants ample time to deliver the information to their audience and also seek clarification through rebuttals. This model also ensures teamwork among the debaters and allows them to prepare well.

“It also brings out the originality of thinking rather than cramming work because some motions are just impromptu,” Musimenta added.

Strengthening fight 

Musimenta said the debate aims to make learners ambassadors in their schools and areas of residence to strengthen the climate change fight.

He noted that several learners had already acquired practical solutions to the hostile climate patterns.

John Eremu, the New Vision editor, said the national climate change debate championship is a culmination of regional tournaments held between June 4-26, 2023.

Regional participants 

A total of 30 schools—the top three schools representing each of the 10 regions—will participate in the tournament.

The regions are Busoga (Luzinga Secondary School, Jinja College, and Naminyagwe Muslim Secondary School); western (Ntare School, Sacred Heart SS Mushanga and Immaculate Heart Girls School Nakibale); Bugisu/ Bukedi (Mbale Secondary School, St Peter’s College Tororo and Sebei College Tegeres); Teso (Soroti Secondary School, Ngora High School, and Teso College Aloet); Karamoja (Lolachat Seed Secondary School, Moroto High School, and St Kizito Secondary School Lorengedwot); northern (St Katherine Secondary School, Comboni College, and Alemere Comprehensive Secondary School); West Nile (Mvara Secondary School, Imvepi Secondary School and Muni Girls Secondary School); mid-western (Kyebambe Girls Secondary School, Semuliki High School, and Kabalega Secondary School); central (Kitante Hill School, Kako Secondary School, and Mubende Army Secondary School); Kampala metropolitan (Mengo Senior School, Entebbe Secondary School and Gayaza High School).

Green Schools Debate Representatives

Preliminaries 

The preliminary rounds of the debates will take place at Kololo Senior Secondary School in Kampala, while the finals will be held at the magnificent Yusuf Lule Auditorium at Makerere University.

Eremu, who is also the Green Schools Initiative project manager, disclosed that the national challenge is the climax of an array of activities under the Green Schools Initiative, which New Vision is implementing in 100 secondary schools across the country in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, with financing from the Swedish Embassy.

The debaters and their patrons are expected in Kampala on the evening of Monday, August 28, for a briefing starting at 5:00 p.m.

The official opening and preliminary rounds of the championship will be on Tuesday. The debate theme is, Climate Change: Innovations that Work.