East African Community Secretariat; Kigali, Rwanda; 03 November 2016: The
5th EAC University students’ debate, themed “Youth Participation in
Electoral Democracy”, has concluded at the prestigious Kigali
Independent University (ULK), with the appointment of the new EAC Youth
Ambassadors for next one year.
Addressing the students and guests
at a colourful gala dinner and award ceremony, the Founder and President
of Kigali Independent University, Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda,
reiterated that debates train students in critical thinking and
creativity which are important for their success in the digital age as
well as in knowledge acquisition and development.
Prof. Dr.
Balinda said that debating enhances an individual’s communication skills
and encourages research, adding that it also inculcates the culture of
agreeing to disagree in addition to promoting tolerance and peaceful
co-existence in the society.
“At national, regional and global
levels, debating/communication skills are essential in negotiations and
dialogues,” said the scholar.
The ULK President challenged the
youth to play an active role in promoting the EAC integration agenda by
mobilizing, sensitizing and advocating for fellow students and youth
through the EAC Youth Ambassadors’ Platform.
“Our commitment and
assurance as educators/higher learning institutions is that we shall
continue providing you with a conducive environment, guidance and
support to make your requisite contribution. We in Rwanda have
established debating clubs in universities, secondary schools and held
national inter-university and secondary school students’ debates on
regional integration annually,” said Prof. Balinda.
Speaking
during the same occasion, the EAC Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in
charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, said one of the
cardinal objectives of the EAC University students’ debate is “building a
critical mass of youths as drivers of the integration process” and to
spread the gospel of integration among peers and build strong
relationships and networks that will solidify the integration process.
The
DSG urged Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs in the Partner States
and political leaders to support the work of the EAC Youth Ambassadors,
who have been selected this year, to effectively promote and implement
their integration programmes.
These include but are not limited to mobilization, sensitization and information sharing with their peers,” said Mr. Njoroge.
He
said the 5th Debate was a transition that marks the end of term for the
EAC Youth Ambassadors for 2015/2016, but also ushers in the beginning
of a new term for the new EAC Ambassadors for 2016/2017.
He urged
the new and outgoing Ambassadors to continue being proactive and
advocating for the EAC integration in whatever they do so as to sustain
their slogan; “EAC Youth – We move it.”
At the end of the debate,
Mr. Patrick Ssemwogerere, from the Uganda Christian University in
Mukono, Uganda emerged the Best Male Debater, while the Best Female
Debater was Ms. Munduru Lucy Mega, from the International University of
East Africa in Kampala, Uganda.
The Best Debating Team was the
Alternative Strategy Team that comprised Patrick Ssemwogerere from
Uganda Christian University, Iribagiza Rose Kelly from National
University of Rwanda’s College of Business and Economics, David Ndika
from University of Dar es Salaam, and Muthuri Brian Kithinji from Jomo
Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya.
The newly appointed EAC Youth Ambassadors and their Deputies for the period 2016/2017 are as follows:
- Rwanda:
Ms. Iribagiza Rose Kelly from the National University of Rwanda
(Ambassador) and her Deputy is Ms. Yves Rene Uwayo also from the
National University of Rwanda
- United Republic of Tanzania:
Yohana Mayenga from the University of Dar es salaam (Ambassador) and his
Deputy is Ms. Suzane W Mollel from Makumira University in Arusha,
Tanzania
- Kenya: Ms. Yvonne Anna Gathoni Muriithi Muthuri from
the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi (Ambassador) and
her Deputy is Muthuri Brian Kithinji from Jomo Kenyatta University of
Agriculture and Technology
- Uganda: Muhumuza Umar from the
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Ambassador) and his Deputy
is Ms. Naluyima Agwang Samantha from Makerere University in Kampala
University
Students Debaters from the Republic of Burundi were expected but did
not show up. The Republic of South Sudan that has just joined the
Community is expected to participate in the 6th edition of the Students’
Debate.
The Secretariat organized a two-days Training of
Trainer’s and an induction workshop for the newly appointed EAC Youth
Ambassadors on EAC integration, structures and processes that took place
from 2nd to 3rd November 2016, at the Kigali Independent University.
