Can Uganda win the sh92m coveted prize?
Jan 26, 2009
The third season of the Zain Africa Challenge kicked off on Thursday January 15, 2009 with the National Qualifying Tournaments in eight participating countries across Africa.
By Carol Kezaabu
The third season of the Zain Africa Challenge kicked off on Thursday January 15, 2009 with the National Qualifying Tournaments in eight participating countries across Africa.
The spirit of competition and comradeship was apparent as students from 13 Ugandan universities gathered at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. They are battling it out for the top four positions in order to qualify for the International Championship and Festival which will take place at the same venue in February. Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia are the contending countries.
The questions in this fast-paced quiz programme cover a wide range of topical areas including history, science, African culture, geography, literature, music and current events.
Two universities faced off in each round with three students taking turns. They answered questions from the moderator. After a series of knockout rounds, Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi and Kampala University emerged the winners and these four universities will represent Uganda at the championship festival.
Dube Sithabiso, the only female to qualify, is a fourth year student of medicine at Mbarara University. From the start of the tournament, Mbarara University and Kampala University were strong contenders.
At the end of the competition, Yesse Oenga, the managing director of ZAIN Uganda, presented the four universities with certificates and medals.
He said the Zain Africa challenge is a vehicle to promote and celebrate education on the African continent. It not only challenges the students’ intellectual capabilities, but also gives them an opportunity to interact and make friends that will last a lifetime.
The university that will emerge the overall champion will win a $50,000 (sh92m) grant and $5,000 (sh9.2m) for each student. Last year’s winner was Egerton University of Kenya. The other universities that do not qualify for the international championship will each receive a $1,000 (sh1.8m) grant and each of the students will get $100 (sh185,000).
The knockout tournaments will be broadcast in the eight countries over a period of three months.
The third season of the Zain Africa Challenge kicked off on Thursday January 15, 2009 with the National Qualifying Tournaments in eight participating countries across Africa.
The spirit of competition and comradeship was apparent as students from 13 Ugandan universities gathered at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. They are battling it out for the top four positions in order to qualify for the International Championship and Festival which will take place at the same venue in February. Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia are the contending countries.
The questions in this fast-paced quiz programme cover a wide range of topical areas including history, science, African culture, geography, literature, music and current events.
Two universities faced off in each round with three students taking turns. They answered questions from the moderator. After a series of knockout rounds, Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi and Kampala University emerged the winners and these four universities will represent Uganda at the championship festival.
Dube Sithabiso, the only female to qualify, is a fourth year student of medicine at Mbarara University. From the start of the tournament, Mbarara University and Kampala University were strong contenders.
At the end of the competition, Yesse Oenga, the managing director of ZAIN Uganda, presented the four universities with certificates and medals.
He said the Zain Africa challenge is a vehicle to promote and celebrate education on the African continent. It not only challenges the students’ intellectual capabilities, but also gives them an opportunity to interact and make friends that will last a lifetime.
The university that will emerge the overall champion will win a $50,000 (sh92m) grant and $5,000 (sh9.2m) for each student. Last year’s winner was Egerton University of Kenya. The other universities that do not qualify for the international championship will each receive a $1,000 (sh1.8m) grant and each of the students will get $100 (sh185,000).
The knockout tournaments will be broadcast in the eight countries over a period of three months.