Mbarara High School wins Ankole debate competitions

MBARARA - Mbarara High School was crowned champion of the Ankole Diocese debating competition after delivering an outstanding performance in the fifth edition of the tournament.

A total of 20 schools under the Ankole Diocese participated in the competition, which took place on April 6, 2026, at Isingiro Secondary School in Isingiro town council.

Mbarara High School defeated Revival Junior in the finals.

Rev. Dr Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese, was the chief guest at the ceremony, where he also commissioned a sh150 million girls’ dormitory at Isingiro Secondary School.

The competition focused on a motion related to the fight against corruption.

In his remarks, Bishop Mwesigwa encouraged schools not to limit the use of the English language to debate competitions, but to extend it to classrooms and school compounds.

He urged all schools within the diocese and beyond to continue participating in such competitions.

He also thanked the Ankole Diocesan Education Office for spearheading the English-speaking debate programme, noting that it would give participating students an advantage over others who lack similar opportunities.

According to Rev. Canon Agasha Muhwezi, the education secretary of Ankole Diocese, the purpose of the tournament is to encourage students to communicate in English, which is the medium of instruction in Uganda. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

“Debate in English is a necessary evil. I encourage students who are still young to always participate, but I also encourage them to also learn other languages, especially Kiswahili, since we are in the East African Community," he added.

He noted that such debates promote research and help shape future leaders. “Normally, students who are political leaders started somewhere like this, in 1966, President Museveni was the president of debate society, and you can see he is now a great global leader,” he stated.

According to Rev. Canon Agasha Muhwezi, the education secretary of Ankole Diocese, the purpose of the tournament is to encourage students to communicate in English, which is the medium of instruction in Uganda.

“By exposing students to English, we are giving them skills to communicate later in life or currently in whatever they are doing, it is also important because exams are set in English," he stated.

He added that the initiative also aims to create a platform for learners to build social capital and thanked schools for sending students to participate in the competition.

Duncan Muramuzi, headteacher of Isingiro Secondary School, hailed Bishop Mwesigwa for prioritising education and academics, noting that debate competitions help students sharpen their language skills, develop their talents and improve academic performance.

Ahurira Arnold, a student at Mbarara High School, said the debates are beneficial as they help build confidence, and advised students in other schools to participate.

Ham Ahimbisibwe, headteacher of Mbarara High School and chairman of Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Association (COUHEIA), thanked the Ankole Diocese Education Department for bringing schools together to promote academic excellence and co-curricular development.