The official Tarehe Sita celebrations were held on Tuesday, February 6 2024, at Busesa in the Eastern District of Bugweri. These were the 43 rd Tarehe Sita celebrations of the yearly event.It was held under the theme: “Celebrating the People’s Struggle for Unity, Security, and Peace.”
However, the Tarehe Sita Secondary School debates that had participants from selected schools within Busoga Sub-region took place on Monday, February 12, 2024. The debate under the resolution/motion: “Modern Technology Has Done More Good Than Harm” took place across three different districts/venues and six schools from six different districts.
What is Tarehe Sita?
“Tarehe Sita” refers to Uganda’s National Resistance Army (NRA) Day, celebrated annually on February 6th. It commemorates the day in 1981 when the NRA, led by President Yoweri Museveni, launched an armed rebellion against the government of Dr. Milton Obote. The rebellion ultimately led to the overthrow of Obote’s regime and the establishment of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Since taking power, the NRM government has emphasized stability, economic development, and social progress. Tarehe Sita provides an opportunity for Ugandans to reflect on the country’s history, the sacrifices made during the armed struggle, and the progress achieved.
Schools That Participated in Tarehe Sita Debates
In the first venue that is Kamuli Youth Centre in Kamuli district, Kidera SSS from Buyende district faced off with the famous Busoga High School of Kamuli district. The latter, representing the negatives, managed to emerge as the winners.
Next, Bugiri Town Council Hall was the arena for the game of wits between Banda SSS from Namayingo district and Mutelele SSS from Bugiri district. The winner was Mutelele SSS after a round of various clashes of points and explaining concepts and ideas related to the resolution.
Lastly, Namutumba Council Hall hosted another set of the same debate and resolution. The debate was between Kiyunga SSS of Luuka district and St. Mathis’s Magada SSS of Namutumba district. Efforts to find out the winner of this debate did not pay off as Kampala Edge Times didn’t get a quick response from the officials.
How the Debates Were Conducted
First and foremost, Tarehe Sita being a National event is often held rotationally by different regions of Uganda. This year, the auspicious occasion fell at the doorstep of Busoga Sub-region. This explains the decision to have only selected schools within Busoga participating.
The Judges/Adjudicators were all from regions outside Busoga. Most of the judges were soldier teachers from Rubongi Army Secondary School and Bombo SSS. However, some of the Judges/teachers from the Army Schools were civilians. This presented concrete evidence of this year’s Tarehe Sita theme: “Unity”.
Furthermore, the debate format employed was a hybrid of World School Debate Championships and Karl Popper. The debate’s focus was more of “interaction to gauge students’ awareness of the topic” as explained by UPDF Director of Education Col. Robert Ngabirano.