Oulanyah advises young debaters

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, has asked young people to nurture their debating skills and improve on their power of persuasion.

While officiating at the first Uganda Schools Debate Championship (USDC) held at Parliament on Friday 6 December 2019, Oulanyah told the students to sharpen their skills and improve on their timing when faced with time limitations.

“Debating is one of the sports that is so crucial that must be nurtured that must be supported. It is so important that people are able to communicate clear and set sides,” Oulanyah said adding “Your mind should be sharpened enough that you can engage at any time without any preparation.” 

Oulanyah advised the students to use their allotted time to persuade and have anyone onto their side. 

“Use the shortest words and compact your sentences. Use the power of the threes: have just three words and the last word should be the strongest of them all,” he said. 

The Head of the Debating Society of Uganda, Jacob Eyeru, said that they would like to teach the student to build competitive minds.

“This year’s theme: “Building competitive minds for the better of Uganda”, nurtures the young minds to think outside what the formal education system gives them,” he said adding that “Indeed many of them have been debating about a number of issues which help them to research and be open minded.” 

Over 30 schools from all over the country were represented at the event.