The 6th Annual East African Students’ Debate on regional integration took place on 5th December at the Nkrumah Hall of the Julius Nyerere Campus, University of Dar es Salaam inTanzania. Over 30 students from the member states of the East African Community attended the Debate except South Sudan.
With the theme, ‘Border Management to address migrant smuggling and corruption at borders for stability and social economic development in East African Community – Roles and Implications of the Youth’, the debate commenced in teams that were formulated from selected students from Universities across East Africa.
Mercy Awino from Makerere University, who happened to win the East African University Debate Championships early in August this year, Ainomugisha Barry, Sagawa Ivan Sebastian, Shabil Ojambo, Twinomujuni Henry and Ntambi Michael Blair made up the team that represented Uganda in the Debate
The occasion was also aimed at selecting EAC Youth Debate Ambassadors from each of the member states of the East African Communities and their Deputies for the Year 2018/2019. Sagawa Ivan Sebastian from Kyambogo University was selected as the EAC Youth Debate Ambassador for Uganda and Mercy Awino from Makerere University as his Deputy.
Likewise, Twinomujuni Henry made the overall best Debater whereas Ntambi Michael Blair received the Best Debate Team Award
Speaking at the Debate, Mr. Charles Njoroge the Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community in charge of Political Federation cautioned the Youth against migrant smuggling as they desperately look for opportunities across borders. He blamed the existence of insufficient systems and corruption as hindrances in the fight against cross border crimes
“Our Ambassadors are a tested group of young leaders.The selection process is highly competitive and a subsequent capacity building programme ensures that youth leaders are well nurtured and groomed for further personal and regional development of EAC,” said Njoroge.
