Nkumba University Student, Namayanja Viola Veronica, has emerged winner of the National Essay Competition on the Constitution of Uganda, held during the Conference on the Constitution commemorating 30 years of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.
The event, organized by the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), a regional constitutional watchdog that promotes democracy and rule of law across Eastern and the Horn of Africa, took place today, October 10, 2025, at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.
Held under the theme “Guardians of the Constitution: Strengthening Institutions for Democracy, Justice & Rule of Law,” the high-level conference brought together legal scholars, government officials, members of civil society, and university students to reflect on Uganda’s constitutional journey over the past three decades.
The conference was graced by Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who served as Guest Speaker. In his address, he commended the organisers for fostering dialogue around constitutionalism, urging young people to take interest in defending the principles of justice and accountability.
“Constitutionalism must live beyond institutions; it must live in the minds of citizens,” Rt.Hon. Tayebwa said, calling on students to “become the generation that protects and strengthens Uganda’s democratic values.”
The keynote address was delivered by His Lordship Justice Johann Kriegler, a distinguished jurist from the High Court of South Africa, who shared reflections on comparative constitutional development in Africa. Other prominent figures in attendance included Justice James Ogoola, Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa, Dr. Miria Matembe, and media personality Canary Mugume, who moderated the discussions.
According to Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of CCG, the conference aimed to inspire dialogue between policy leaders and the younger generation. “Thirty years of the Constitution is a milestone, but it also calls for introspection. Our goal is to nurture future guardians of the rule of law,” she said.
The event also featured a National Essay Competition in which university students from across Uganda participated, submitting essays that examined the role of the Constitution in promoting democracy, justice, and institutional integrity.
Among the many entries received, Ms. Veronica Namayanja, a student of International Relations and Diplomacy at Nkumba University, emerged the overall winner with a remarkable score of 89%.
In her essay, Ms. Namayanja explored the evolution of Uganda’s Constitution, highlighting the need for stronger civic institutions and citizen engagement in constitutional processes. She described her win as “a great honour not just for myself but for Nkumba University and for all young Ugandans committed to democratic growth.”
“I am deeply humbled by this recognition,” she said after receiving her award. “The Constitution is more than a document, it’s the voice of the people. My hope is to see more young Ugandans appreciate its power in shaping our nation’s future.”
Representatives from the NGO Forum, civil society organisations, and various universities lauded her achievement as a testament to the growing intellectual engagement of Uganda’s youth in national governance.
The conference concluded with a call to strengthen civic education and institutional accountability as Uganda charts the next 30 years of its constitutional journey.
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