By Our Reporter
The 2023/2024 Virtual National Students’ Anti-Corruption Challenge Award ceremony has finally been held today at PPDA tower Nakasero-Kampala, marking the end of this edition that has been running since December last year.
The competitions attracted hundreds of students from 53 schools in over 90 districts country-wide. The participants showcased their creativity and abilities in areas like; Art, Poetry, Public Speaking, Songs, and others, all standing against corruption.
Among the 53 schools that participated were Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga, Bushenyi’s Parental Care Primary School, Bweranyangi Girls’ S.S, Immaculate Heart Girls School, Buddo-Secondary-School and very many others.
The awards scooped by Parental Care were courtesy of their bright and well-nurtured students Tumuhimbise Sherry who won the songs category and Nowembabazi Esther who won the Poetry category.
Tumuhimbise is in Primary six whereas Nowembabazi recently concluded her Primary seven.
Asked the secret behind this school’s success year in-year out, in all competitions they have participated in, Mr Tayebwa Desmond the clubs teacher at Parental Care noted that the school focuses so much on promoting talents and therefore they invest a lot of time and nurturing into their students to make them succeed not only in class but also in other areas that impact the country’s development.
He said they have been participating in several debating competitions and so far they are the champions of Western Uganda.
”Yes we are also the champions at the national level because recently we represented the country in Nairobi, Kenya where we qualified and won the continental primary schools debating competitions,” said Desmond rallying parents to trust them with more students saying they take lead in both academics and extra co-curricular activities.
Other competitions where Parental Care has made a name include spelling bee, drama, debates, chess, and math contests which they have won on several occasions both at national and international levels.
The Impact Of Parental Care’s Participation In These Competitions
Speakers at this ceremony commended Parental Care and other schools for sending their students to participate highlighting the role of young people in the fight against corruption. They emphasized that participation should go down to students and be encouraged to lead by example & hold those around them accountable, including their parents.
National Debate Council Uganda (NDC) Executive Director Mr. Gasta Kakaire gave a background on the origins of the Virtual National Students’ Anti-Corruption Challenge, noting that the idea came in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown.
”Corruption is among the key barriers to every country’s growth, so we realized we had enough time with our children during COVID lockdown and so this was an opportunity to engage them in the fight against his vice and that’s how we came up with this edition, and surely it has been a successful one,” said Kakaire.
Stephen Kateregga, Ass. Auditor General Corporate said, ”Corruption breeds inequality and weakens our economy. This platform empowers us to combat it through engagement, innovation, and solutions. Equip yourself with knowledge, be a voice for change, and inspire positive transformation in your communities.”
Tassillo Von Droste, head of governance and civil society at Giz Uganda called for visible consequences for corruption saying leadership is crucial in this area, as powerful individuals should not be seen protecting other powerful people who are corrupt.
”Corruption kills. A genuine commitment from students to combat corruption is essential. Everyone deserves quality services, which can only be achieved when we all fight against corruption. Imagine police officers refusing to take bribes when an offense is committed—this is the change we need,” said Tassillo.
Pictorial Of The Entire Event
