Gulu University Wins ACFODE Northern-Region Debate Competition

From the 11th – 13th of May 2012, ACFODE (Action for Development) with support from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung organized Inter Institution Debate Competitions in Northern Uganda. This was yet another opportunity to promote and inculcate a culture of gender equality and good governance among the youth. The tournament, which took place at Acholi Inn in Gulu town attracted 5 institutions of higher learning namely; Gulu University, Loro primary teachers college-Oyam, Florence Nightingale Nursing school-Apac, Unyama National teachers college-Gulu and Uganda Christian Institute for Professional Development-Lira.

The most interesting motion was “This house believes a woman’s place is at home.” This saw students giving coherent and persuasive arguments. Female participants in the tournaments were also more eloquent compared to the ones that have participated in other regional debates in the east, west and central Uganda.

This time round, the judges also held a mock debate session to give the debaters a hands-on experience about the British Parliamentary Debate format which is widely practiced at international debate tournaments.

Oguetta Andrew Otto – a student from Gulu University noted that he was so excited about the whole idea of competing with students from other institutions in a dynamic and safe environment. He further commented that the experience gave him ‘more exposure, and expounded his knowledge on issues to do with good governance, gender equality and women’s rights; and their implications on development.’

Some of the other resolutions that were at play during the tournament included; this house believes that the woman’s seat in parliament should be abolished, this house believes that sex education should be promoted in schools and this house believes that the women’s movement is no longer relevant.’

At the end of the tournament, all participants were awarded with Certificates of Participation. Special awarding went to the winning institution/ team, the best female and male speaker, and the most outstanding person.

During the Award Giving Ceremony, Mr. Charles Uma (representative of the Chief Administrative Officer – Gulu district) cautioned debaters to ‘put what they had learnt at the tournament into practice.’ He also challenged them to become ambassadors of gender equality in their respective communities and institutions.

Other participants included; ACFODE members, civil society representatives, the media and representatives from local government.

Since 2010, ACFODE with generous support from KAS has carried out inter institution debate competitions all over the country as a strategy for deepening and sustaining the gender equality and good governance campaign.

Participants are engaged and mentored into different gender and good governance dynamics as they are challenged to acquire information and to share their findings in a persuasive way (British Parliamentary Debate format). They are also mentored into eloquent, articulate and fast thinking individuals.


Sandra Nassali
Public Relations & Communications Officer
Action For Development
Email: snassali@acfode.org