Truth Nursery and Primary School Triumphs in Afro-Junior Debate Championship

By Okidi Patrick

Truth Nursery and Primary School Triumphs in Afro-Junior Debate Championship.

LIRA CITY, UGANDA – April 12, 2026: In a high-stakes intellectual showdown, Truth Nursery and Primary School emerged as the champions of the Afro-Junior Schools Championship after a narrow victory over Amuca Primary School. The final round centered on the provocative motion: “This House believes that public funding on education should be tied to schools’ sustainability performance.”
The competition, held at Lira Primary School on Saturday, April 13, 2026, featured several notable institutions, including City Parents School, Aduku Road Primary School, and Alebtong God’s Plan Nursery and Primary School.

Obua Patrick, the overall Executive Director of the championship, noted that many Ugandans—both children and adults—struggle to articulate their thoughts despite being knowledgeable. He attributed this “expression gap” to a lack of structured platforms like formal debate.
“Many learners possess great ideas but falter in interviews or formal settings because they lack a foundation in critical thinking,” Obua explained. He emphasized that by using the World Schools Debate Format, the championship is equipping young learners with essential life skills such as teamwork, creativity, and public speaking.

What began in 2022 with just four schools has now evolved into a regional movement. While a scheduling conflict with local athletics events led to a lower turnout this session, organizers remain optimistic. The momentum is building toward the National Championship, scheduled for August 24–26 in Kampala.

Under the theme “Empowering Young Minds for Sustainable Development,” the program is also diversifying. Administrator Odongo Leo confirmed that the initiative has expanded to secondary schools, with future plans to include innovation competitions and international partnerships for music and dance.

Key Highlights

Winner: Truth Nursery and Primary School.
Runner-up: Amuca Primary School.
Core Objective: To move beyond “arguments” and teach students to organize thoughts and engage constructively on community issues.
Next Milestone: The National Championship in Kampala (August 24–26, 2026).
Judiciary: Adjudication was led by Atimango Mercy Fortunate to ensure international debating standards were met.