Olympic Solidarity applauded as Uganda Olympic Committee marks 10 years of Olympic Values Contests

Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), in partnership with Kabojja International School, and the Debate Society Uganda (DSU), with the support from Olympic Solidarity, successfully held the 10^th edition of the Olympic Values Contests on Saturday at Kabojja International School campus in Buziga, Makindye – Kampala.

This milestone event brought together over 500 students from more than 30 partner schools across Uganda to compete in 10 Olympic-themed educational contests.

Participants were grouped into ten (10) teams named after the Olympic values: Excellence, Peace, Humanity, Friendship, Solidarity, Respect, Fair Play, Balance, Solidarity and Joy of Effort.

Team Solidarity was made up of the event’s organizers, while Team Equity represented judges and officials from the Debate Society Uganda (DSU).

 Since its launch in 2015, the Olympic Values Contests have offered a platform for young Ugandans to explore and embody the spirit of Olympism through various contests.

These include debate, quiz bowl, essay writing, poetry recital, storytelling, spelling bee, read-aloud, public speaking, crossword puzzle, and speed cubing.

At the closing ceremony, Ms. Anne Mungoma, Executive Board Member of the UOC and Protocol Lead for the event, reflected on the decade-long journey;

We started this initiative with fewer than ten (10) schools. Today, we celebrate over 30 schools and more than 500 students actively engaging with Olympic values. This growth reaffirms the program’s impact and importance.

Ms. Anne Mungoma, Executive Board Member – Uganda Olympic Committee; Protocol Lead for the event

Annet Nakamya, Chairperson of the UOC Olympic Education & Culture Commission and lead organiser, emphasized the role of Olympic Solidarity in this journey.

We are very grateful for Olympic Solidarity’s constant support, which has allowed us to maintain and expand this initiative. Schools now see the Olympic Values Contests as an important event for promoting well-rounded education.

Annet Nakamya, Chairperson of the UOC Olympic Education & Culture Commission and lead organizer

 Sam Turya, Principal and CEO of Kabojja International School, which has hosted the contest since 2023, encouraged students to choose cooperation over competition.

At the heart of this contest is the message that success is not about defeating others, but about working together. That is why you competed in values, not as schools.

Sam Turya, Principal and CEO of Kabojja International School

Friendship (Maroon) amassed 1,696 points, followed by Humanity (Brown) with 1,524 points, Excellence (Yellow) on 1,449 points, Peace (Purple), Solidarity (Navy Blue), Respect (Red), Balance (Green), and Fair Play (Black).

The event also served as a selection platform.

The top male and female debaters, Blessing Tugume and Karyn Mwesigire were chosen to represent Uganda at the upcoming 65^th session of the International Olympic Academy Youth Ambassadors Program in Athens, Greece.

Participating schools included national standouts such as Mbale SS, Rubongi Army SS, Mbarara High School, Maryhill High School, Gombe SS, Kabowa High, Mariam High School, Ntare School, Ntungamo Girls School, and many others.