Sacred Heart S.S Gulu have been crowned the 2011 national schools debate champions following their victory over Mengo .S.S in a thrilling emotional debate finale held in the Parliament Conference Hall on Friday December 9.
The only Girls school to reach the finals for the first time in the history of the debate championships, three students from Sacred Heart passionately defended the role of the United Nations in ensuring observance of civil liberties across the world.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Jacob Oulanyah who crowned the debate champions warned the National Debate Council against misguiding the youth to fulfill the agenda of other parties.
“Some of the donors have an agenda of their own. Do not allow them to use the youth as guinea pigs”, Hon.Oulanyah warned.
He told delegates to the debate finale that the unlimited potential of the youths should be harnessed.
“Iam glad Parliament and the National Debate Council have provided a platform where the youth can be inspired. I pledge to support this initiative”, the Speaker confirmed to delegates.
Rt.Hon.Jacob Oulanyah alongside MPs Hanifah Kawooya, Mike Sebalu, Ababiku Jesicca,Karuhanga Gerald, Hood Katuramu,Tinkasimire Barnabas among others faced off with the students in a debate over the role of political party caucuses in eroding the right of speech for legislators.
The students sourced from over 37 schools across the country argued that the party caucuses water down the representative role for an MP. They also warned that their existence erodes the independence of Parliament from the executive.
A panel of seven independent judges appointed by the National Debate Council crowned Tumwesigye Jordan a student of Mbarara S.S the best Speaker of the Championship. The theme for this year’s tournament was Civil Liberties: Our Rights and Responsibilities.
Gira Emmanuel
In Parliament
No comments:
Post a Comment