The Institute of Survey and Land Management (ISLM), Entebbe, has won its own inter-institutional debating competition for the second year running, after its opponents from Makerere University’s School of Built Environment failed to turn up.
The second edition of the competition debated the motion: “This house believes that joint spousal land ownership is the most effective way to secure women’s rights in Uganda.” ISLM argued for the motion, with Makerere’s School of Built Environment due to oppose it.
According to the organisers, the Makerere team stayed away after hearing that ISLM had beaten Kyambogo University’s School of Built Environment in the first edition last year. CampusBee has asked the School of Built Environment for its side of the story.
The moderator went ahead with the debate regardless. ISLM presented its case for the motion, members of the audience put questions to the speakers, and the judges named the best male and best female speakers of the day.
“Never shy away”
The guest of honour, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, declared ISLM the winner. He praised the students’ knowledge, critical thinking, rebuttal skills and use of evidence to support their arguments.
He challenged Makerere’s School of Built Environment never to shy away from an intellectual platform.
He also promised to take the institute’s challenges to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and invited ISLM to engage with the Lands committee directly.
The event ended at 6pm with a reception for guests and participants.
Should Makerere have shown up? Tell us. @campusbee.ug
