Nkozi — Four outstanding students from Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi have been honoured as winners of the 2025 Uganda Martyrs Essay and Quiz Competition, hosted by Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Nkozi.
The first place was awarded to Ritah Precious Asiimwe from St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School, Mubende (Mityana Diocese). She received $500 and a plaque.
The second place went to Andrea Eliza from Likumi Girls Secondary School, Lilongwe (Malawi), who received $400 and a plaque.
The third place was a tie between Hamadi Ayoub from Lesso Compassion Secondary School, Fortakim (Tanzania) and Carolyne Mukamatalemwa from St. Maria Goretti Secondary School, Fort Portal (Uganda). Each received $300 and a plaque.
Hamadi Ayoub Lesso, a Muslim student from Ifakara Diocese in Tanzania, presented a remarkable essay that stood out for its thoughtful reflection on the universality of the Uganda Martyrs’ values across faiths and borders. His participation symbolised the event’s growing reputation as a platform for interfaith understanding and regional unity.
St Maria Goretti, on social media, praised Carolyne for her “insightful reflection and compelling writing” noting that her success also reflects the dedication of her teachers and the nurturing environment.
The competition, launched in 2022 by Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa, Vice Chancellor of UMU, is now a regional initiative that draws participation from secondary school students across East and Southern Africa. It aims to help young people appreciate the values of courage, faith, sacrifice, and conviction embodied by the Uganda Martyrs.
This year’s theme centred on the intersection of African culture and Christianity, and students were evaluated on originality, idea development, clarity of expression, use of sources, and presentation.