Thursday 17 November was the day East Africa stood still. Uganda's greatest public speakers assembled for the annual speech contest. Organised by Kampala Toastmasters Club and Bukoto Toastmasters Club, it was an energized three hours of the best of prose and perfection. The contestants and judges will testify below. All photo credits/Dilman Dila
Everything that transpired at the Public Speaking Contest
event was worth celebrating. However, this is what stood out for me.
First of all, I have been to events where one arrives
thirty minutes late and they are still too early for the occasion.
This year’s Toastmasters Speech Contest was nothing like
that. The event started on time. This allowed everything else to fall into place
following the event’s program. Secondly, there was a warm welcome at the reception desk.
As a participant in the speech contest, there’s that feeling of nervousness
that took its toll on me the moment I arrived at Protea Hotel that evening. The
smiles and greetings that were exchanged at the reception desk of the event
helped to calm down my nerves. Everyone in the room was smiling, happy and
jolly from the time the event started till the time I left during the cocktail
session. This reminded me of how lucky I was to associate with the awesome
members of Kampala Toastmasters Club.
Last and definitely not least was the glamorous
decoration and dress-code. The theme of the day was Nobility and changing the
Status- quo. And it was clear that people’s dress code changed the Status-Quo
of this Annual public Speaking Contest.
Next year, I look forward to a bigger crowd because the
relevance of public speaking needs to be appreciated by everyone.
Florence Katono, contestant
It’s been days after the event but
the speeches continue to play in my mind. I concur with you, these guys are
great orators. (may I ask that the speeches be uploaded on our page).
Behind the scenes, I attempted to
write my speech 3 times. I got emotional the first time as I did the
third. Then I wrote to my mentor and told her that I was pulling out
of the contest because I couldn't deliver the speech. My emotions
overpowered me. Connie,( I am certain you all know how firm she is). wrote back
and said "if a speech makes you emotional, then that's the one you should
give." We worked through it together and the rest is good history.
I am happy to say as I told God that
day that may the purpose for which I speak give me the courage to face my
fears. At the end of the event, some ladies walked up to me and said
I had shared a story similar to their own. I particularly recall a single mum
of 4 who shared her own with me. I was, still is deeply humbled that we can be
the healing for each other.
I am so grateful to my fellow
contestants who exuded such talent that even I didn't want to be in the place
of the judges; well at least not that evening.
The organizers for the selflessness.
A successful event isn't measured by decoration or drinks, it is measured
by the Woooow feeling to those who attended.
I am still wooooowed and dazzled.
Gilbert Rutebemberwa, contestant
What moved me was the level of publicity
and attendance. This implied that we have the potential to grow the club
and reach more people.
I look
forward to many people joining the club to learn and grow themselves. I hope we
can make it even bigger next year.
I thoroughly enjoyed participating as a contestant and
encourage others to participate because I gained a lot in terms of
communication and leadership and it’s a great investment.
STEPHANO KIYEMBA, contestant
I was overwhelmed by the great
numbers that attended the event. This was very relieving as the card sales were
less than 50% of our target, with a week to the event. Surprisingly many guests
who paid the attendance made up for the gap.
What do you want for next
year?
We need to find a way of bringing
more corporate sponsors on board as that is a sure strategy to win over some of
their employees.
President Lynda Nabayiinda
1. What wowed you
about the event?
The turn up was great. It significantly
exceeded my expectations. Couldn't resist looking at the back of the room as
the hotel staff kept bringing in more chairs. I was also wowed by how far one
can go if they are determined to achieve their goals, listening to Richard
Byarugaba's speech about his career journey from a cash teller in the bank to
now MD of the National social Security Fund.
2. What do you look forward
to next year?
I look forward to a full day event with more
categories of speakers; Younger 12-18 years and above 18 with contestants from
more than one club in addition to more elimination rounds plus of course more
international presence. I look forward to all the rich content from all the
speeches we shall listen to.
Josh Tahinduka, 1Rwanda Toastmasters Club
Before I left for Kampala to attend the Toastmasters speech
contest, I raised a close friend to say a temporary bye for I was going
“abroad” and to the Pearl of Africa. On learning that I was taking late nigh
bus he didn’t let me finish but chocked me with a plethora of stories about
night robbery, sleeping drivers to mention but a few, Dan was on mission to
protect me from harm that turned to be mission Impossible. Impossible simply
because I knew that the Toastmasters experience was always worth it.
If anyone missed the contest, then there is a reason to
regret. The well prepared humorous and educative speeches, a vibrant audience
that seemed to have auditioned for healthy looks, happiness and their love for fun,the
sophisticated MC and contest chair that had admirable ways of taking the house
ablaze and different kinds of JOYS are some of the things one missed. The
evening was such a reflection of Dr. Smedley’s (founder of Toastmasters
International) perfect place for learning and growth when he said that “We learn best in our moments of enjoyment”
As Toastmasters are always obsessed with areas of
improvement, I look forward to seeing Bukoto Toastmasters club alongside newly
formed clubsin action just to spice the contest with a variety of speakers from
different clubs.
I otherwise could not wait to reach the land of 1000
hills to meet my friend Dan in person so as to tell him that the risk of taking
a night bus for Toastmasters was totally worth it.
Irene Naikaali, committee member
1. What wowed you about the
event?
I was greatly inspired by the
spirit of teamwork at KTM. The entire executive team including all the other
role takers worked tirelessly as though they were preparing for the their
own wedding ceremony. I could sense it right away during the eve of the
function that we were headed for success and indeed it was a great success!
2. What do you look forward to next
year?
I look forward joining the executive
team of Kampala Toastmaster club at the next club elections. In this way I will
be able to expand my leadership skills to new horizons. I also look forward to
conquering my fears by taking part in the 2017 annual speech contest.
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| Cissy Anyao, Timekeeper. |
Anet Birungi, head usher
It
was lovely being part of a grand gathering. The high point for me of the
Project November was the prominence of people involved and the wonderful
function organization. It was remarkable for its verve and professional
quality!
It
was exhilarating leading the guests as the Chief Usher!
I
was over-awed at the way the Contest Chair did the introductions of the
relevant persons; recapitulating the presentations with care; as well as
vivaciously steering the meeting.
The
Contest chair, Beverley Nambozo and Phillipa Nanyondo, who extended the Vote of Thanks to our
Guest of Honour were fabulous in choice of words and expressions! From
their function roles, they exhibited excellent listening skills.
It
was sensational listening to the contestants’ speeches and table topics.
Adroitness in presentation was exceptional: The confidence, word play and
composition of the stories took my breath away!
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| Beverley Nambozo, contest chair |
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| Doreen Baingana, Chief judge |
