Lira’s Truth Primary School crowned national debate champions

8 September 2026, 2:26 pm

By Hillary Opio

Truth Nursery and Primary School in Ngetta, Lira City, has raised the flag of Lango Sub-region after emerging as the overall champion in a national debate competition held in Wakiso District.

The competition, which attracted schools from different parts of Uganda, was held at Green Top Primary School from Thursday, September 3, to Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Truth Nursery and Primary School emerged as the overall best school in debating, finished second in public speaking and secured second position in poetry.

The school’s debating team defeated Uganda Martyrs Primary School from Mbarara City in the finals to claim the national championship trophy, in a victory that demonstrated the strength and potential of young learners from Northern Uganda.

Lango Sub-region was represented at the competition by Truth Nursery and Primary School and Amuca Primary School, with both schools making an impressive impact at the national event.

Truth Nursery and Primary School had earlier emerged as champions of the Lango Regional Debate Championship, while Amuca Primary School finished as the first runner-up.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Truth Nursery and Primary School in Ngetta, Lira City, the school’s head teacher, Isaac Opio, said the achievement was a result of deliberate efforts to develop learners beyond academic classroom work.

Opio said the school sent eight learners to participate in the debate, poetry and public speaking categories during the national competition.

He noted that education should not focus only on academic performance but should also help learners discover and develop their different talents and abilities.

“As a school, we believe that education goes beyond classroom teaching. We must also identify the talents and abilities of our learners and provide them with opportunities to develop,” Opio said.

The Truth Nursery and Primary School teams that participated included debaters Kizito Cleopus Jeremiah, Nalubega Gladys and Ocen Luke Jonathan, all Primary Seven candidates.

The poetry team comprised Aguti Fortunate, Oyenya Precious and Koli Denrah, while Achomo Bakhita and Niyee Praise represented the school in public speaking.

All the teams from Truth Nursery and Primary School reached the finals in their respective categories.

Meanwhile, Amuca Primary School sent two debating teams and one public speaking team, with one of its debating teams reaching the semi-finals.

The Director of Truth Nursery and Primary School, David Geoffrey Opio Okello, said the victory challenges the long-held perception that Northern Uganda is still lagging behind in education and other areas of development.

Okello said the school’s mission is to nurture and develop learners into well-rounded individuals by promoting both academic excellence and practical skills.

He expressed confidence that schools in Lango and other parts of Northern Uganda have the potential to compete favourably with the best institutions in the country when learners are given the right opportunities and support.

Susan Ayo Nume, the patron of the learners who participated in the competition, praised the pupils for their outstanding performance and said the school remains committed to strengthening their skills.

She expressed confidence that the learners would continue performing well in future competitions.

Primary Seven pupils Parise Neyee and Kizito Jeremiah Cleopus encouraged fellow learners interested in debating and public speaking to actively participate rather than remain silent.

They said debating and public speaking help young people build confidence, improve their communication skills and develop the ability to express ideas that can positively influence society.

The national competition attracted approximately eight schools from across Uganda.

Following their outstanding victory, Truth Nursery and Primary School is now preparing to represent Uganda at the East African Afro-Junior Debate Championship, scheduled to take place in Tanzania in December 2026.

The school’s latest achievement marks a major milestone not only for Truth Nursery and Primary School but also for Lira City and the entire Lango Sub-region, demonstrating that young learners from Northern Uganda can compete and excel on national and international platforms.