Kyambogo University took the spotlight at the inaugural inter-university poetry competition held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, securing a well-deserved victory. The competition featured participants from three distinguished institutions: Kyambogo University, the Uganda Institute of Communication and Technology, and Makerere University.
As the host institution, Kyambogo University fielded the most contestants, including Jimmy Yobo, Edward Mumbere, Mark David Semakula, Authentic Girl, and Racheal Babirye, a second-year education student who clinched the title of overall winner.
In this spirited contest, Racheal Babirye’s compelling performance earned her the top spot, with Edward Mumbere securing third place, and Authentic Girl taking the fourth position. Babirye expressed her commitment to defending her title in next year’s championship.
During the competition, Babirye addressed significant issues in her poetry, shedding light on the challenges arising from the use of social media to promote nudity and immorality in Uganda. She emphasized the need for those in power to address these concerns, as they have become a pressing problem for social media users in the country.
Representing Makerere University, Alice Grace Namale, a third-year law student, was the first runner-up, captivating the audience with her delivery of two thought-provoking poems.
Uganda Institute of Communication and Technology was represented by Esther Murungi, who skillfully recited poems with themes revolving around mental illness, poverty, unemployment, and behavioral challenges such as drug abuse and alcoholism.
The competition served as a platform for participants to engage with pressing societal issues and convey their thoughts and emotions through the art of poetry.
The winners were recognized for their outstanding performances with certificates, trophies, and gifts provided by a Ugandan coffee company that generously sponsored the event.
Gilbert Atukunda, a literature lecturer at Kyambogo University, emphasized that the competition focused on spoken word poetry, requiring contestants to master the art of presenting their poems effectively to the public. He highlighted that this inaugural edition featured a limited number of participants due to time constraints in involving more universities. However, Atukunda expressed optimism that the competition would witness increased participation from various institutions in the coming years.
The first edition of the inter-university poetry competition showcased the wealth of poetic talent present in these academic institutions, setting the stage for future contests that promise to be even more captivating and inclusive.
