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Doreen Nayebare from Mary Hill High School, Simon Batesaki Ssentamu from Sacred Heart Seminary Mubende and Jacinta Nyakato from Immaculate Girls SSS Nyakibale have won the Uganda martyrs essay writing competition that was organized by Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Nkozi.

The three will be honored at the National Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo on June 3, 2024.

Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa, vice chancellor of UMU says the winners stood out of the many when they showcased talent, confidence, courage and appreciation of the Uganda martyrs.

Meanwhile, the essay writing competition started last year (2023) and it attracts students from various secondary schools spread across 19 dioceses in Uganda and each diocese selects five schools to participate.

Students with their teachers

This year, the competition kicked off in April under the theme; The Relationship between the Uganda Martyrs, Culture, Spirituality, and Development. Sixty-seven students submitted their essays showcasing their knowledge and understanding of the correlation between culture and spirituality in the modern world.

Of the 67 entries, 33 were shortlisted and these included 22 girls and 11 boys who appeared before a panel of a 10-member review committee to defend their essays.

At the end of it all, three winners; Nayebare, Ssentamu and Nyakato were announced as winners of 2024.  

Fr. Peter Celestine Safari, chairperson of the organizing committee says there was an increase in entries compared to 2023 when the competition was launched in Jinja Diocese. They received 23 essays from six schools and of these 12 advanced to the final round of assessment at UMU in Nkozi, Mpigi district. Isaac Mondecee and Ceasar Masinde both from Jinja College plus Joshua Balondemu from St. Gonzaga SSS, Budini emerged winners.

“When we receive those essays, we evaluate them rigorously and come up with a shortlist from which we select the winners,” Fr. Safari says. The competition is exclusive to high school students from diverse backgrounds and dioceses.

The essay writing competition aims to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the Uganda Martyrs' legacy, especially among the younger generation, according to Prof. Kyamanywa.

Students with their teachers at the briefing.

He says, the martyrs were committed to telling the truth, a virtue that has been eroded in our society today. This in turn explains the rampant corruption, sex immorality, robberies and other crimes.

“It is time for us to reflect on our values and emulate the martyrs who willingly died for the truth,” he says.

Kyamanywa implored the students to be ambassadors and change agents in their communities.

Elsewhere, as the competition continues to grow, Proscovia Nabatte head of public relations and marketing at UMU envisions greater participation and impact throughout the country.

The university plans to compile all approved essays in order to amplify the voices of young writers all while celebrating the martyrs.