Rwandan students from several schools around the country were filled with excitement when Liquidnet (Agohozo Shalom) were crowned Champions of the East African region debate Championship.

The debate was organised by ‘Write our World’, IDebate in partnership with TIGO at Lycee de Kigali last Saturday.

In a battle of the brains, more than 162 teams of students in 30 schools from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda had to express their knowledge about regional affairs, particularly, in the areas of regional integration, democracy, social media, technology, among others.

In the finals, Liquidnet was represented by Maxime Icyumugaba, Ornella Rwanziza, Bonfils Habiyambere.

First runners up St Marys College Kisubi, of Uganda, were represented by Trevor Lwere, JoJo Walugembe and Paulino Tomaino.

Christine Teta, the president of IDebate said the main aim of the event was to initiate the youth into the activities of regional integration. "Students need to have an understanding of fundamentals, such as, non tariff barriers in cross border trade.

‘‘Having these interschool debates is, therefore, one way of broadening the youth’s knowledge about the East African Community,” said Teta.

The hosts, Lycee de Kigali emerged fifth.

They were represented by Lorence Uhoza.

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