'Speech contest a practical learning environment for public speaking'

PUBLIC SPEAKING

The fear of public speaking is one of the most common phobias and over the time people try to either protect themselves by either avoiding public speaking or struggling with speech anxiety.

There was glitz and glamour coupled with excitement as hundreds flooded Naguru Skyz Hotel for the long awaited speech contest, organised by Bukoto Toast Masters Club.

Clad mainly in formal attire, club members thronged the venue as early as 5:30pm and by 6:00pm; the venue had been filled to ther brim. The event zeroed on body language, self-expression and English proficiency and one's ability to ‘capture' audiences.

At the end of contest, Maggie Mukibi was crowned the winner followed by Cathy Opondo and were given awards. In the impromptu speech contest,  Paul Ekudu won first place followed by Jesse Ainebyona, the President of Bukoto Toast Masters.

"Public speaking encompasses a lot of areas; we look at how you use your language; connect with the audience, body language and gestures among others.  "In life if you cannot express your  ideas appropriately, there are many opportunities that one  may lose," said Ainebyona.

He added:  "Public speaking is a big challenge; I have really met many people who told me that they failed a job interview because of their inability to speak in public. Public speaking is not about speaking to a larger audience, it also involves speaking to one or two or more individuals; if one cannot communicate effectively, their progress is significantly curtailed."

Hope Kansiime, a public speaking specialist said: "Speech contest is a practical learning environment for public speaking; you do not do it by reading books but rather going to the podium and speaking. Until you reach the podium and give a speech, you may not know that you need public speaking skills."