PHOTOS: Makerere Students Exchange Brilliant Ideas in Democracy-Themed Debate

Makerere University students, young people, Members of Parliament, representatives of diplomatic missions and development partners, civil society organizations, the media, among others yesterday afternoon stormed the university’s main hall to take part in celebrating International Day of Democracy 2019.

The day was celebrated by exchanging ideas in a debate themed “The role of Parliament in shaping representative democracy in Uganda”, which was jointly organized by the European Union (EU) Delegation to Uganda and Makerere University.

The vibrant discussion was spearheaded by four panelists that included Emmanuel Wabwire, Marion Kirabo, Reagan Wamajji and Lydia Namubiru (all young people). During her submission, Lydia Namubiru (journalist), noted that there is need for full equality between men and women.

“There is a tendency among exposed (and educated) women in Uganda to believe that what we have is what everyone has, which is wrong. It is important that we understand that 10% equality is no equality at all. We need 50-50” Namubiru said.

MP Kaps Fungaroo Hassan brought life to the discussion when he took over the afternoon while discussing the real tricks MPs use to stay in parliament. According to Fungaroo, there is no power in parliament but rather outside.

“There is no power in Parliament. The power is outside the House. You can go and talk as much as you want in the Parliament but if the powers outside are not interested in your talk, nothing will change however beneficial the talk may be”  Fungaroo said.

Also present at the event was the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, EU’s ambassador to Uganda, H.E Attilio Pacifici, Julius Katerega, the Makerere Guild President, the Gulu Guild President, among others.

“Someone asked me why we’re organising a debate on democracy. He said is it because we have no democracy in the country? I said no, there is no democracy in the world mature enough not to discuss its quality.” Said Prof Nawangwe.

Below are more photos from the event;