For Catherine Ampaire, debate has always been more than competition—it has been a way of thinking, learning, and growing. From her earliest days as a speaker to her emergence as one of East Africa’s respected Learning Facilitators, Catherine has carried with her a quiet passion: to use the power of words to inspire change.
Her journey has taken her across classrooms, national stages, and continental championships. In 2025, she served as a finals Adjudicator at the East African Debate Championship, a role that affirmed her ability to guide and evaluate some of the most complex debates on the regional stage. That same year, she helped shape discussions at Writing Our World Nationals, just as she had previously done at the NDC Public Speech (2024) and TOA (2023). Her keen eye for clarity and fairness was recognized when she was named 2nd Best Learning Facilitator at the Kampala Open (2023).
But Catherine has also lived the thrill of debate from the speaker’s side. She reached the semi-finals of the Own Your Future Debate Competition and Writing Our World, stood as a finalist at the Limpopo Speech Open, and proudly finished as runners-up at the KYUDS Freshers Cup (2024). These experiences—both triumphs and near-wins—taught her that debate is not just about victory, but about resilience, growth, and the courage to keep raising one’s voice.
Beyond the debate circuit, Catherine is pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing Science at Uganda Christian University (UCU). This choice reflects the same heart that guides her in debate: a commitment to care, discipline, and service. For her, whether in a hospital ward or a debating hall, the work is the same—helping people find strength, healing, and hope.
At ISSDL 1.0, Catherine steps into her role as Learning Facilitator with this spirit. She brings not only her wealth of competitive and facilitation experience but also her human story—a story of perseverance, empathy, and belief in the transformative power of dialogue. Those who meet her will quickly discover that behind every skill she teaches lies a deeper lesson: debate, like life, is about listening, learning, and leading with integrity.
