Harvard College World Schools Debate is the biggest world schools tournament in the western hemisphere. It is a unique and dynamic form of international debate tournament that has a highly interactive style of debate that allows debaters to engage each other. It is practiced in the United States and hosted by Harvard College Debating Union.
This year, 72 schools have been selected worldwide to participate in this great and auspicious event. Countries like Canada, Vietnam, Mexico, America, South Africa, Uganda et al are to battle this tournament out. A team of 9 representatives including students, a coach, school patron and a parent from Uganda flew to USA on 20th March. The tournament is scheduled to begin today, 24th March to 26th March 2018.
The three speakers from the Ugandan team are Wise Rodney Musinguzi, David Bakka, and Banza Birondwa all of whom are senior six students at Kings College Buddo. Well-wishers and friends that travelled with the team include Mrs. Ntaganda Monica, Zephyr Katusiime, Kabakama, Malcom Fredrick Muzima, Mutumba Samuel Jeremiah and two officials; Itah Patience Mbethki (School patron) and Hillary Kururagyire (Coach, team leader and coordinator).
The team travelled first class by Qatar Airways and will be accommodated at the pompous and magnificent Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Massachusetts hotel during their stay.
At 24 years, Mr. Hillary Karuragyire the coordinator and team leader of this group, country coach and internationally accredited debate team coach has led debate teams from Uganda to world debate championships. Teams coached by him have been judged at a couple of international debate events. Being one of the best debate team coaches that desire to shape Uganda’s debate teams to have reputable recognition, it is his aspiration to break into the octo-finals.
He is very confident that Uganda shall make history this time round.
“We expect this tournament to be challenging but we also expect to defy the odds and break to the octo-finals. This will be a first for Uganda and a first for greater Africa since only teams from Swaziland and South Africa have ever qualified to the next round in any world schools debate tournament worldwide. This team will be the only African team at this tournament. On behalf of the team, we are very grateful to all the various parties that made this possible and we vow not to let them down,” Banza one of the participants said.
We wish this team nothing but the best in this tournament.
