RAISING TOMORROW'S LEADERS. Lesson from the Acholi Nation's Debate in Magwi Payam

Courtesy

"Today, I am among the speakers I once looked up to."

29-10-2025

October 27, 2025, marked the beginning of the Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition, organised by the Acholi Nation in Magwi Payam. It is a commendable initiative that I am excited to follow. I watched Fr Leopoldo Secondary School fall to Covenant Progressive in the opening round—a thrilling start indeed! Debate is an engaging activity that every student should eagerly embrace as part of their learning journey. It offers numerous benefits, including sharpening speaking skills, fostering social cohesion, and building confidence.

Through debating, students sharpen their communication skills as they learn how to position themselves effectively before an audience, use gestures that capture attention, construct sentences correctly, and refine their grammar. With continued participation, a student gradually becomes more eloquent and confident in speech.

Debates also help strengthen social cohesion. The interaction among students from different schools encourages friendship and understanding, fostering unity, harmony, and peace within society.

Confidence-building is another valuable reward of debating. Many students who lack confidence often fear meeting new people or expressing themselves. Debate helps to systematically overcome this fear. I was once a shy student, even though I was a member of the debating club. Over time, my interest grew, and I made significant progress. Today, I am among the speakers I once looked up to.

To the Acholi Nation, I am once again deeply grateful for this inspiring step. I am proud of you because your presence is consistent and purposeful—unlike some international organisations that arrive with specific objectives only to vanish like morning mist once their mission is complete. I encourage your organisation to continue and, if resources allow, to expand its coverage. The time will come when we shall all join hands to nurture and develop the young leaders of tomorrow.

Abunerry, Ayella

Writer, Critic, and Rabbi

Magwi-Lotti

Comments

Open Letter to the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State

02-08-2026 His Excellency Louis Lobong Lojore Governor, Eastern Equatoria State Subject: Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Removal of Cattle from Magwi County, Particularly the Nimule Area Your Excellency, I write to you as a concerned citizen regarding the continued presence of thousands of cattle in Magwi County, particularly in and around the Nimule area. This situation demands your urgent attention and intervention. In the recent past, government authorities, local leaders, and communities agreed that the presence of cattle in Magwi County is unacceptable. This position is consistent with the Presidential directive ordering all cattle to return to their areas of origin. Despite this clear directive, many cattle keepers, particularly from Bor, continue to disregard the order and have returned with large herds into the county. Today, thousands of cattle are moving freely in the Nimule area and occupying locations less than ten kilometres from Nimule Municipality. We are all aware of t...

DO NOT JOIN STAR INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY MAGWI CAMPUS UNTIL IT FULLY ESTABLISHES ITS OWN STUDY CENTRE

Between 2017 and 2019, I wrote several articles about the fraudulent practices of Kampala University. Those who were its students were aggressively defensive, only to concede later. This happened after the Ministry of Higher Education declared the university illegal. Although the students pursued a legal case against the university, they sadly lost. Education is a right for everyone, but a learning institution should provide quality and legitimate services to the public. In South Sudan, several universities and colleges are operating illegally and exploiting poor students. On 22 June 2026, Star International University (SIU) launched one of its campuses in Magwi Payam, making it the second campus after the Nimule campus, which was established around 2021–2022. Accordingly, this could be the third campus in Eastern Equatoria, including the Torit campus. Such rapid expansion raises serious questions about the credibility of the university. A credible learning institution cannot spread i...

WHO IS "MATTHEW ONEN JOK"?

If names carry weight, then Onen Jok's name is a real load. I have avoided the traditional eulogy of attributing character to names because I found several people, including myself, outside the bond. In Acholi, every name is given based on circumstances or a forecast of the person's life. If it is based on circumstances, it could be the parents' conditions, weather influence, or an event that coincided with the birth. Based on a future forecast, it could be a prophetic wish. What does “Onen Jok” mean in his case, then? Recently, Onen has been delving deep into all hidden caskets to expose the evil phenomena in J1. Surprise? Key officials’ stomachs are running silently in a dilemma. They do not know how their dark deeds will unfold. This is all because of the invisible effects of Onen Jok. Wait; let me explain what 'Onen Jok' means. 'Onen' in the Acholi language is loosely translated as, 1). Let us see. 2). It is seen, and 3). Let it see. And "Jok...

Sir. Abunerry

Search This Blog