Ijwi and Ijambo, the two toastmasters clubs based at the University of Rwanda (UR), Nyarugenge Campus, last Friday launched a speech contest scheduled to be an annual event. 

The competition, which s aimed at shaping young people to become potential leaders and excellent public speakers.

In his welcome remarks, UR Nyarugenge Campus Principal, Manasseh Mbonye, commended the role of having such clubs.

"These clubs have been a supportive and positive learning environment that improves members’ skills in communication and leadership through a friendly approach of evaluation and motivation,” he said.

The contest winner, Raissa Mugisha, whose speech was entitled "Something A Soldier Taught Me”, stole the show with her remarkable account of how she was only concerned about solving her problems. The second runner-up, Dany Rugamba, moved the audience with a hilarious and educative comparison of authority and leadership in his speech named "Be A Leader, Be Influential”.

The third best performer, Jean Paul Iranzi, whose speech focused on people’s zeal to bring a change in the world, was titled "People who make things happen”. In his speech, he exemplified effective public figures in the world such as Oprah Winfrey and Paul Kagame who never ceased to follow their dreams despite hardships they faced.

The outstanding winners walked away with brand new smartphones and airtime subscription, while the rest of participants were recognised with certificates.

Mugisha said it had been quite challenging, but she managed to practice and deliver her best.

"It was a tough week for me; I had class work to do, and caught flu last night. But I knew that the audience would be big, so I practiced hard late in the night,” she said.

Closing the event, UR vice chancellor of the University of Rwanda, Professor Philip Cotton thanked the clubs for their commitment towards fostering good communications skills in university students.

This event was primarily sponsored by Imbuto Foundation, which has been part of toastmasters clubs since it initiated Ijwi Toastmasters Club in 2011 at UR’s College of Science and Technology.