They were fun, interesting and novel - Ben Okia, a participant in ACFODE’s Regional Inter Institution Debate Competitions

The Inter – Institution debate tournament which took place on 9^th April in Soroti was a competition between 5 higher institutions of learning namely Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kumi University, Uganda College of Commerce (UCC), the East Africa Civil Aviation Academy and the Comprehensive School of Nursing - Soroti.

The East Africa Civil Aviation Academy, also commonly known as Soroti Flying School won the final debate against IUIU which ranked second. Regardless of who won, the competition was remarkably amazing and exceptionally successful. This was the first regional debate completion organized by Action For Development (ACFODE) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Eastern Uganda. In his address, the Chief Judge, Mr. Kenneth Opolot stated that though he had attended many debating tournaments in many parts of the world, he never felt the intellectuality of students like this competition had. He further stated that the students appeared surprisingly eloquent, displayed a great deal of critical thinking and sharpened analysis.

The idea behind the concept of organizing such competitions emerged last year during ACFODE’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations where a new theme ‘25 years of Gender Equality; Embracing the Youth and Looking Ahead,’ was unveiled. Debates were identified as one of the platforms through which ACFODE would involve young people in the promotion of women’s agenda.

Therefore the theme “Involvement of the youth in the promotion of Gender Equality” which in line with pertinent women issues of concern was selected for the tournament. The British Parliamentary Format was used during the debates.

The purpose of the debates was to sharpen student’s reading and research skills and also to mentor them into eloquent, articulate and fast thinking, individuals and to establish debate culture in institutions of Higher Learning of Uganda. They were also aimed at creating an understanding and appreciation among the students the progress of the women’s movement in Uganda and the role the youth can play in shaping the future

The event was graced by presence of the Soroti District Assistant Administrative Officer Mr. Eswilu Donath, LC 5 Woman Councilor Soroti District, the District Community Officer, Chairperson Women Affairs Soroti, KAS’ Yusuf Kiranda , ACFODE’s Executive Director – Ms. Regina Bafaki, Ms. Helen Twongirwe - ACFODE Board Member and representatives from other CSOs.

Students showed so much zeal right from the beginning. This was through the use of cohesive argumentation, preparation and use of supporting evidence during the debate rounds.

In her remarks, Ms. Bafaki thanked students for their vested interest, effort and commitment portrayed during the competitions. She urged them to continue promoting gender equality and equity in all their spheres of influence since it is the back bone of development. Ms. Twongirwe in her remarks also noted that the debates were a land mark; for both ACFODE and the participating institutions. She therefore called for continued future collaborations between the two parties and also encouraged students to promote gender equality and equity in all their spheres of influence.

Categories awarded included:

• The best institution, won by the East African Aviation Academy
• The most eloquent speakers, which was won by Naweri Alice and Magumba Faisal
• The best team, won by Flying School team 4
• Second runner ups, won by IUIU team 3; as well as all the 6 students who debated in the last round

When asked how they were going to continue collaborate with ACFODE to promote women issues of concern, students gave very interesting answers. One noted that in future after getting married, he will ensure that the wife is trained by ACFODE in gender issues. Others noted that they were interested in working with the organization as volunteers to promote the women’s movement. They also showed interest in becoming members with ACFODE. Ben Okia, a participant from UCC called upon ACFODE to further invest in such activities as they exposed students to many opportunities.

All students were awarded with a Certificate of Participation. They were also given a DVD entitled ‘The Great Debaters’ by Denzel Washington. The event ended with a scrumptious dinner and dance.

Click to view pictorial of the event

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

New mailing list on the block: acfode@lists.acfode.org

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In an effort to increase her networking abilities, ACFODE created a new mailing list which is more user friendly.

You can subscribe HERE and use this space to post any kind of relevant information to ACFODE stakeholders and other list subscribers. Information can be in form of:

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Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Account for ACFODE’s General Meeting (GM)

On the 26th of March, ACFODE had a General Meeting. Participants included ACFODE members and staff.

While giving her opening remarks, ACFODE’s Chairperson, Ms. Jane Nakintu thanked ACFODE members and staff for always portraying commitment to the organization’s activities. She also applauded them for the dedication, team effort and loyalty that were revealed during the ACFODE’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 2010. Ms. Nakintu acknowledged that it was due to these factors that the celebrations turned out to be successful.

She however argued both ACFODE staffs and members to fully embrace the new organizational theme “Embracing the Youth and Looking Ahead’’ that was unleashed last year.

She also thanked participants for the enormous support that was accorded to the out going Board that she has chaired for the last 3 years and announced that elections for a new Board were due in May 2011. Members interested in standing for the different posts were reminded to pick forms from ACFODE House.

She reminded all present that it was the responsibility of every ACFODE staff and member to identify strategy places which ACFODE would occupy for visibility issues.

A presentation about ACFODE’s Consultancy policy was made by Ms. Kawasiima Christine, a Board Member. She took participates into a series of how to offer good consultancy services in various arenas – political, economical and social: that ACFODE tackles.

An update from the Secretariat was given by ACFODE’s Executive Director Ms. Regina Bafaki. Major highlights from the Secretariat included ACFODE’s networking activities, observing of Uganda’s 2011 elections among other program implementations.

A new membership policy that was drafted by the Board in consultation with ACFODE members and staff was also unleashed during the GM. Soon, it will be made available on our website.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Nakintu argued participants to give colossal support for the members who were going to contest for different posts in up coming ACFODE elections.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

ACFODE’s Regional Inter - University debate competitions are on!

From the 22nd to the 26th of March, ACFODE staffs were i Soroti training students from various institutions of higher learning from Eastern Uganda for the upcoming inter- university debate competitions.

Participating Institutions included: Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kumi University, Uganda College of Commerce (UCC), East Africa Civil Aviation Academy (soroti Air Field/ Flying School) and Soroti Nursing School participated.

This is line with ACFODE‘s new theme ‘Embracing the Youth and Looking Ahead,’ which was introduced last year during Silver Jubilee Celebrations. These debates are one of such platforms through which ACFODE is trying to involve young people in the women’s movement.

The objectives of the training were:

• To enhance the participants’ speech, reading, researching skills, communication dialogue, and problem solving skills, confidence and self esteem.

• To create close working relation ships between ACFODE and the participating Institutions

• To actively involve the youth in fighting gender inequality and inequity

• Improve students’ eloquence, articulate and prompt philosophy, initiate, develop and establish debate in institutions of Higher learning of Uganda.

The students were also introduced to the British Parliamentary Debate format which is composed of two sides - Proposition side which is also known as the Government and the Opposition side also referred to as the Opposition. This kind of debate unlike other formats is composed of four teams. Each team is made up of two people implying eight people participate.

The debaters were urged to research widely on the main theme “involvement of the youth in promoting gender equality” so that when the spotlight for the competitions is on, they have all the gritty details required to win the competitions.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Long Live ACFODE: By Joy Ongom

Hello!
My name is Joy Ongom. I recently won the sit for Woman Member of Parliament - Lira district as an Independent. Previously, I had lost on the UPC ticket. This fostered me to stand as an independent candidate. I won my opponent with a difference of 16,800 votes. 47,000 votes were however considered valid.

I credit my victory to ACFODE - a women’s empowerment organization in Uganda which I first encountered in 2006 when I was beginning my career life as a politician. I was at the time contemplating to contest for Counselor - Lira Sub-county, but then I had very low self esteem. To address this, I attended a training organized by ACFDOE in Lira town; whose goal was to increase women’s effective involvement in politics and decision-making through building the leadership capacity of potential female leaders at all levels.

I was trained along with other aspiring women leaders from Gulu and Kitgum districts about effective campaign strategies. Betty Otengo, who was contesting for the seat of MP- Lira district at the time, was among the participants. She eventually won the seat after this training.

After joining the council, I was trained on how to lobby for women issues – still by ACFODE. Now that I have won the seat of Woman MP, I plan on putting my acquired skills to use.

ACFODE’s exposure has been very encouraging for me. I remember it vividly, that just the other day, I was being challenged by trainers from ACFODE to stand for bigger and better position and here am I today – a Member of Parliament.

I applaud ACFODE for the good work and I pray that she continues with such activities, geared towards empowering grass-root women socially, politically and economically.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development