The Busia UNSA Debate, Poetry, and Speech Championships were held on Saturday, 26th July 2025, at Buhobe SS. This highly anticipated event was initially scheduled for Saturday, 28th June 2025, at the same venue. However, due to the industrial action by arts and humanities teachers, most of whom serve as debate patrons and trainers, the event had to be postponed.
Following a meeting between the striking teachers and the President of Uganda, the industrial action was called off. As a result, the Busia District UNSA Secretariat set a new date for the championships. With many schools hopeful of clinching a win, especially those that had never won before, the excitement was palpable.
How Busia UNSA Debate Turned Out
Timekeeping remains a major concern at such events. Despite invitations indicating an 8:00 AM start, many participants did not arrive on time. Ironically, the invited judges from Tororo arrived before the event organizers themselves. Some schools arrived as late as 10:00 AM, forcing the event to officially begin around 11:00 AM.
A total of seven schools were in attendance. The absence of last year’s champions, Lumino High School, raised eyebrows. Mr. Okello Emmanuel Abilla, the Chief Adjudicator for Debate, briefed the participants on expectations. He was followed by Mayende Collins Israel, the Chief Adjudicator for Speech, who cautioned participants against using artificial intelligence to generate speeches and poems.
Winners of the 2025 Busia UNSA Debate & Speech Championships
In the Poetry Category, the winner was Mangeni Joel Jumbo from Nalwire Technical Institute.Babirye Alima from Lunyo Hill was the first runner-up, while Kwagala Joseline from the host school, Buhobe SS, was the second runner-up.
Watch Mangeni Joel’s enticing and captivating poem that compelled judges to crown him the Winner:
The Best Speaker of the day, crowned champion after passionately pitching her traditional food, was Ajambo Jovia Mary from Busia SS. Nasirumbi Sharon Wafula from Masaba College was the first runner-up, and Ebongo Emmanuel Richard came in as the second runner-up.
Finally, the most prestigious category, Debate, was won by Busia SS. Masaba College emerged as first runners-up after a fierce final against Busia SS, while Lunyo Hill secured the position of second runners-up.
Busia SS and Masaba College will go on to represent Busia District at the upcoming UNSA National Debate, Poetry, and Speech Championships, scheduled to take place from 24th to 28th August 2025 at Vision for Africa High School, Mukono.
