While the rest of the students sat in anticipation, it was tense for the contestants.

Dressed in well pressed smart uniforms, students flocked the national theatre for the finals of the National Speech Championships on June 27. They moved about in groups, with excitement and the pride of representing their respective districts. Masaka, Luwero, Kalangala, Kampala, Wakiso and other districts had one school representing them in the O level and A level categories. Aga Khan High School, Kings College Budo, Namilyango College, Ndejje S.S.S, Old Kampala S.S.S, Mt St Mary's Namagunga and many others had the challenge of defending the oratory talents in their respective districts. The competition began at 8.30a.m.

Pablo, the renowned comedian, was the day's emcee and his humour and wit flagged off the competition with a light mood. The tensed contestants moved about in corridors cramming the last bits of their speeches. First, they were told to discuss the importance of paying taxes.

The articulation and vehemence of the speakers improved by the day as most of them got used to the atmosphere. Famous quotes of persons ranging from Julius Nyerere to Barack Obama substantiated the contestants' ideas. The speeches were punctuated with question and answer sessions. Pablo asked the audience to name the different types of taxes, almost everyone shot up their arms. He however wasn't certain whether progressive tax was a right answer; he looked around for clues from faces in the audience before he okayed it.

Wasswa, a student of Kako S.S.S from Masaka, delivered his speech in a hilarious fashion. He spoke like a typical American pastor, stressing syllables. He passionately articulated the consequences of not paying tax as if he was cursing out demons.

Juliet Nassolo got dramatic when she pleaded with the audience to pay taxes so that Kalangala, her district, can get another ferry and a fish processing industry. Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister in charge of Micro Finance applauded her speech.

When we got to the second round, the stakes got higher. When I got into the contestants waiting room, the tension was vivid. First the pride of making it to the very final round was still choking some of the participants. Others were in corners praying while the rest moved about with small notebooks with quotes and listed ideas. The hunger also prompted some to stuff their stomachs with cakes and sodas.

We had a break. Pablo requested everyone to stand up and welcome the president. The national anthem was played. Pablo claimed it was the remix. A Museveni look alike walked on stage. It was Herbert Sseguja. The excited students yelled and laughed their hearts out.

First, the "president" complained that he has heard people call him Salvador, the famous Second Chance actor. The audience bust into rib breaking laughter. He asked the audience whether it was a compliment or otherwise. The audience affirmed the latter. He went ahead to boast that earlier that morning he had sang for his wife the famous Bread and Butter hit. "Let's make an appointment, breakfast in bed...apartment..." he sang along with a thick Runyankole ascent. When he left the stage, the audience couldn't ask for more.

The contestants discussed tax using creative approaches, imagery, symbolism, idioms and rich African proverbs. Sofia Kichou, a student of Agha Khan High school, cautioned the audience on the cost of dodging taxes. She gave practical situations that ranged from going to prison to stealing from one's own country. The others took a similar approach.

Then the time for judgment came round. For the O level category, Sofia Kichou from Aga Kahn High school, Kampala, emerged the best followed by Juliet Nasolo from Sserwanga Lwanga S.S.S, Kalangala. Priscilla Nyachwo in Old Kampala S.S.S won followed by Edward Wasswa in Kako S.S.S in Masaka.

The best students got a laptop, school fees for a year, scholastic materials and an ipod. The runners up got all the prizes except school fees. All the contestants got away with something.

At about 2.30p.m., lunch was served. It was a sumptuous meal. This was a welcome change from the routine posho and beans. It's probably why the queues got longer despite the quick service.