Kyambogo College School scoops National Youth Climate Change award

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KAMPALA - Kyambogo College School has scooped the National Youth Climate Change Championship award that attracted fourteen competing schools nationwide.

The competing schools that participated in the intense climate change youth debate and literary championship include Keihabgara Secondary School, Lumino High School, Soroti Secondary School, Hill Side International High School, Kumi CDC, Mukura Memorial Secondary School.

Other schools include Opuya CDC, Kidongole CDC, Bukedea CDC, Kyambogo College School, Kyamate Secondary School, St John Secondary School, St Catherine Girls Secondary School and Lumino High School.

Ultimately, according to the judges, Kumi Child Development Centre, (CDC) deserved to be the champion but made the error of coming up with gadgets in the Quiz final.

“Judges gave them a second position as a penalty so that such actions don’t happen again. As an organisation, we believe in transparency and integrity is our core value, and we want to be as transparent as we can.” Thenuel Debate and Literary Fronesis, (TDELF), executive director, Emmanuel Obore, said.

Coming to this verdict, according to Obore, the teams spent almost the entire night compiling results, listening to the voice recordings of the debaters of the poets.

Obore disclosed: “At last, they came to the final decision. We believe in justice and don’t encourage cheating because it promotes failure. You earn what you have worked for. Outstanding individuals and schools have won trophies and medals after emerging the best in debate, poetry, quiz, and writing.”

He made the remarks during the awarding ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Youth Debate and Literary Championship 2024 organised by Thenuel Debate and Literary Fronesis, (TDELF) at Kyambogo College School in Kampala on Saturday.

During the awarding ceremony, Kyambogo College School emerged as the overall winner, followed by Kumi CDC. For the quiz debate championship category, St Johns Secondary School emerged as the winner, then Kumi CDC got the Poetry Championship category, and OPUYO CDC scooped best in writing.

With support from Compassion International Uganda, the Climate Change Debate Championship was held under the theme: “Fostering climate change mitigation and adaptation innovations and technologies.”

Stanley Mugume, Kyambogo College School head teacher hands over a certificate to Hilda Josephine Aguti for the 2nd best poet as Emmanuel Obore, Thenuel Debate and Literary Fronesis, (TDELF), the executive director looks on during the awarding ceremony of the 3rd edition of the youth Debate and Literary Championship 2024 organised by Thenuel Debate and Literary Fronesis, (TDELF) at Kyambogo College School in Kampala on May 25, 2024. (All Photos by Juliet Kasirye)

During the climate change debate, students not only debated about what pertains to electric cars but also thoroughly debated on issues concerning wetlands among others.

The five-day debate was held between May 19th to 26th this year.

To emerge as the outstanding winner, Obore noted that, “Kyambogo College School was resilient, committed, determined, intellectual and sacrificed all their efforts for this cause. They have been researching issues related to climate change. Since we stretch in the nights, especially doing quiz until midnight, the majority stayed behind yet they are day scholars.

To Combat climate change, Obore urged school teachers and parents to bring students on board to embrace intellectualism debates and diverse literacy works for ultimate youth empowerment.

“When the Child's mind is changed, it is easy to influence them for a good cause. Some schools invest most in physical activities such as sports, not intellectual activities, and think it is a waste of time,” explained Obore.

The Managing Partner of Virgin Markets Multi-legal, Dr Emmanuel Barya urged all debaters to have an impact on issues related to climate change.

Addressing students, Barya asked students, “Do you think education has an impact on environmental development? This is something, maybe we can debate in the future.”

To reduce the increasing effects of climate change, Barya said, besides debating, students should also make an impact by mobilising their families and communities to plant trees and stop disposing of plastics.

According to him, the youth should not only debate but also act on what they think. For instance, if you have an idea, don’t sit on it, you can start an organisation in the community focusing on environmental activities such as tree planting which does not require money.

“We appreciate this promotion of a culture of intellectual exploration and learning. I am sure you have acquired valuable skills from this debate. I see the people have gained confidence, especially in public speaking,” explained Barya.

While receiving the award, the thrilling headteacher of Kyambogo College School, Stanley Mugume commended teachers for making a difference in students' lives, noting that, what students are today is because of them.

“The knowledge that you have imparted to them is one of the most valuable things in their lives. To teachers and students, let us make this event the best event in the history of maintaining a high level of love, kindness, politeness, and discipline and we have a high level of humility.” Mugume stated.

To save the environment, Mugume urged students to foster climate mitigation and adaptation, innovativeness, and technology.