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KAMPALA - A total of 250 youth from fourteen schools across the country are set to participate in the climate change youth debate and literary championship at Kyambogo College School.

The competing schools 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.

These best schools per region were selected during the first term in the regional tournaments.

With support from Compassion International Uganda, Thenuel Debate and Literary Fronesis, (TDELF), executive director, Emmanuel Obore, said the schools have convened to not only deliberate but also review this concept of climate change into the activities of debate, poultry, quiz, and writing.

“The debate will focus on climate change-related issues in Uganda. Since Climate change has become a crisis across the world, in our discussions, we want to change the mindset of young people to know that deforestation, encroaching on wetlands, and littering are bad,” explained Obore.

He made the remarks during the opening 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 Wednesday.

The Climate Change Debate Championship is held under the theme: “Fostering climate change mitigation and adaptation innovations and technologies.”

The debate will be held between May 19th to 26th this year.

To address the escalating effects of climate change, Obore advised students to embrace the spirit of innovation and collaboration by fostering a culture of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving and empowering our youth to develop sustainable solutions to climate change-related issues.

A cross-section of students during the opening of the 3rd edition of the Youth Debate and Literary Championship 2024 at Kyambogo College School in Kampala on May 22, 2024. (All Photos by Juliet Kasirye)

“Let us work together to create a sustainable future where every individual has the opportunity to play. As we strive to mitigate climate change, we must also adapt and innovate new technologies and ideas. There are quite several technologies we can use to combat climate change,” explained Obore.

The headteacher of Kyambogo College School, Stanley Mugume, said, this event is a testament to the power of education and the importance of fostering critical thinking, creativity, and innovation among the youth.

The theme, according to Mugume is relevant today as we face the challenges of climate change and its impact on our environment.

Mugume disclosed: “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our times. It requires us to work together to find a solution. We believe education plays a critical role in this process. To our students participating in the debate, thank you for being part of this initiative. Your participation is a testament to your commitment to making a difference in the world.”

According to Mugume, today’s event is not just about debating or writing, it is about fostering a sense of community and responsibility among our youth. Besides that, it is about recorgnising the importance of education in addressing the challenges of climate change and promoting sustainability.

Addressing students, the Senior Manager of Partnerships Compassion International Uganda, Dr. Nicholas Kalyebara emphaisised that debate is one of the vehicles or aspects of youth development, specifically youth leadership development.

“It helps young people to develop leadership skills like critical thinking, research skills, public speaking, relationships, interpersonal relationships, and emotional intelligence among others. You need these skills as young people, but later alone, you merge as leaders.” Kalyebara said.

This particular debate according to Kalyebara is focused on taking care of the environment.

“For instance, some of the challenges we have faced as a country, I believe are a result of our negligence of environment. Kampala is characterised by floods because some people have constructed swamps. We hope this debate helps young people to learn how to take care of the environment and influence their peers,” explained Kalyebara.

In addition, he noted that “We all have the responsibility to protect the environment, use it for our benefit but also with the knowledge that it is going to benefit the people who are not yet born.”

Addressing students, the National Director of Compassion International Uganda, Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe encouraged students to be focused people. Noting that the current circumstances happening in their lives should not divert them from what God has purposed them to be.

To the teachers, Ahimbisibwe said: As a Christian ministry, we can assure you that whereas not everyone sees the investment you are making in the lives of these children, our creator is seeing it. Let us work together towards a future where our planet will strive and all communities can be fresh in harmony and nature.”