Makerere University is hosting the 2026 East African Inter-University Debate Championship, bringing together regional students for a week-long competition to enhance critical thinking, public speaking, and regional integration. At the opening ceremony, speakers urged youth to engage actively in leadership and democracy, while the Inter-University Council for East Africa pledged support to expand future championships.

Keynote speaker Dr. Gervais Ndayizeye of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) announced key regional integration efforts during the 2026 East African Inter-University Debate Championship opening at Makerere University. He highlighted a harmonized fee structure that allows East African Community students studying in other partner states to pay local currency rates rather than expensive international USD fees, significantly boosting student mobility and regional academic cooperation.

Dr. Ndayizeye urged Africa's youth to actively participate in leadership, governance, and democratic decision-making while becoming innovative, accountable, and responsible citizens. He also committed that the IUCEA will partner with regional universities to continuously expand and improve future debate championships.

Representing Makerere University's vice chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Alinaitwe welcomed regional participants to the championship and assured them a positive stay. He emphasized that debating plays a crucial role in building critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills and encouraged greater student participation in future competitions.

Addressing the debate championship participants, Julius Muchunguzi, Communications Director at the Electoral Commission of Uganda, praised the event for sharpening young people's critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills. He urged eligible Ugandan youth to exercise their democratic right by voting in the following day's declared public holiday for local council elections, while clarifying that voting is strictly restricted to Ugandan citizens.

Makerere University in Kampala is hosting the East African Universities Debate Championship (EAUDC) from July 26 to August 1, 2026, bringing together top student debaters from across the region to build leadership, critical thinking, and cross-cultural connections. While debaters from countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan are participating, Burundi is absent due to language barriers, and the DRC's attendance has been impacted by the Ebola situation.