The Speech Contest That Bedazzled Everyone

  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

  Paul Kavuma, 2016 winner of annual speech contest

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.

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!

Beverley Nambozo, contest chair

Doreen Baingana, Chief judge