Lira, Uganda | St. Katherine Girls Secondary School has been crowned the overall winner of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Debate Series – Northern Edition, following an intense competition among 20 top secondary schools from across the region.
The one-day debate event was held on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at Dara Christian High School in Lira City.
Organised by Debate Institute Africa in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission, the competition brought together students from schools, including St. Mary’s Ediofe Girls Secondary School, Lango College, Comboni College, Lira Town College, Kitgum Comprehensive College, YY Okot Memorial College, and others.
The debate aimed to engage students on pressing issues related to digital technology and its role in education and family life.
The motion focused on how parents and students can adopt and make effective use of computers and mobile phones to enhance learning, communication, and economic productivity.
Students debated key digital issues in the preliminaries, Round 1 focused on introducing digital education at the primary level, Round 2 questioned full-time student access to gadgets in schools, and Round 3 addressed criminalizing the spread of misinformation on social media, setting the stage for the final round before the break.
St. Katherine Girls Secondary School emerged as the overall champion, with St. Mary’s Ediofe Secondary School taking second place.
The finalists impressed both the panel of judges and the audience with their articulate arguments, strong research, and teamwork.
Speaking after the event, Arinda Saviour, Public Speaking Coach and Team Lead for Debate Institute Africa, commended the students for their depth of knowledge and analytical thinking.
He explained that beyond competition, the debates serve a broader purpose of generating insights on digital usage among young people and their families.
Saviour noted that although Uganda is progressing in digital development, a significant number of citizens, particularly in rural areas, still lack basic skills in using computers and smartphones.
He emphasized that initiatives like the UCC Debate Series are critical for raising awareness and shaping future digital policy and practice.
He further urged participating schools to remain active in debate programs, highlighting their role in nurturing informed and digitally conscious citizens.
Ainebyona Ezras, Headteacher of Dara Christian High School, welcomed the opportunity to host the regional event and described it as a valuable platform for his students and staff.
He said the experience would help reinforce digital education at his school and inspire broader conversations about responsible technology use.
The UCC Debate Series continues to rotate across regions, providing students with a platform to engage in national discourse and sharpen their communication and leadership skills.
