SMACK emerge winners of Urban TV debate series

Oct 19, 2018

St Mary’s, who were competing for the first time, took the crown home after out-debating St Joseph’s S.S Nagalama at the packed International University of East Africa auditorium in the busy Kampala suburb of Kansanga.

St Mary's College, Kisubi [Smack] were recently crowned winners of the 5th edition of the riveting Urban T.V School's debate series-Cross fire.

St Mary's, who were competing for the first time, took  the crown home after out-debating St Joseph's S.S Nagalama at the packed International University of East Africa auditorium in the busy Kampala suburb of Kansanga.

The debates started in March and have been airing on a weekly basis on Urban T.V.

Over 32 schools from across Uganda took part.

 he  team with their prizes The SMACK team with their prizes

 

In the final, debaters from both schools cleverly set their wits to work.

In the back and forth battle of wits that ensued, the SMACK debaters who were opposing the motion of the day "The Education System In Ugandan Universities Is Responsible For The Deplorable Performance Of Medical Practitioners In Hospitals" seemed to get more cheers and approbation from the crowd and the adjudicating panel of three judges.

The three judges announced the victors after a brief brainstorm session, thereafter.

Brian Olemo from St Mary's Kisubi and Pasi Impindi from St Joseph's S.S Nagalama were the best series debaters. They exhibited excellent gifts of gab.

 The Judges of the debate

The St Mary's Kisubi debate team of four was rewarded with Dell Laptops courtesy of the International University of East Africa.

"This edition has pushed the envelope for school debating up a notch. These kinds of debates are one of many ways students can set themselves apart early before joining higher institutions of learning and the cutthroat working world," Hassan Ssematimba, the Public Relations Officer of the International University of East Africa noted.

 he winning  debate team pose with their trophy The winning SMACK debate team pose with their trophy
 

 "In this edition, all the 32 schools made up of boys and girls gave good accounts of themselves, meaning we should look forward to another debate series, next year. To participate schools just have to respond to the propositions sent to them around the beginning of the year. The organising team trains the selected schools first before the debates kick off. Debaters are trained on how to present and how to research.

Winners get to travel overseas for debating opportunities and contests," Patra Tumukunde, the debate project coordinator disclosed.

For St Mary's Kisubi, it was double celebration as the school's other team of debaters had won several medals at the World Scholars Forum in Durban, South Africa.

The Cross fire debate series have been running since 2015.

 he packed auditorium at the nternational niversity of ast frica in ansanga The packed auditorium at the International University of East Africa in Kansanga

 Bishop Cipriano Kihangire S.S won the first edition.

A Profile of some of the best debaters

Brian Olemo Gordon, 17 years-S.5-SMACK-Speaker- Uganda national students association.

I began debating in Primary school.  I love pitting my wits against other intelligent eloquent and thoughtful people.

Timothy Loyo-17 years-S.5-SMACK

Beating 32 other schools in a debate is no easy feat. We had to be on our A game.

Daniel Okiror Musinguzi-18 years-S.5

Debating is a pathway to critical thinking. It is way of the ways you can enhance on your skills as someone who thinks on their feet.

It feels great to be part of the SMACK winning team. We showed our mettle.

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