UOC President Rukare, Miss Uganda Muhoza Urge Youth to Live Olympic Values at 11th Contests in Namugongo.

The 11th Edition of the Olympic Values Contests closed on Saturday with a strong call for students to carry Olympism beyond the classroom, as UOC/CGU President Dr. Donald Rukare and Miss Uganda 2025 / 2026 Trivia Elle Muhoza addressed participants at The Olive School, Namugongo.The contest drew 27 schools for an educational debate competition centered on the Olympic values of respect, friendship, and excellence. It was organized by the UOC Culture and Olympic Education Commission together with the Debate Society of Uganda.

Addressing students, Dr. Rukare emphasized living the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect both in sport and everyday life. He encouraged them to build meaningful friendships, respect different opinions, strive for excellence in academics and sports, and become responsible citizens.“Sport is a powerful tool that opens doors to opportunities, leadership, cultural exchange, and global experiences,” Dr. Rukare said, urging students to actively participate in sports alongside their studies. He reminded participants that the Olympic Movement is about more than competition: it connects people from different backgrounds, promotes learning from one another, and uses sport as a force for positive change.

Chief guest Ms. Trivia Elle Muhoza, Miss Uganda 2026,Miss Uganda 2026, encouraged students to view the Olympic Values Contests as more than a competition, describing it as an opportunity to learn, build confidence, share ideas, and form meaningful friendships. She reminded participants that success is not defined solely by winning, but by embracing values such as respect, excellence, friendship, fair play, peace, humanity, balance, joy of effort, and equity. She urged learners to believe in themselves, speak with confidence, listen to others, respect differing opinions, and always give their best effort. Emphasizing the true spirit of Olympism, Ms. Muhoza noted that what matters most is the courage to participate, the lessons gained, and the values that participants continue to live by long after the contest has ended.

Dr. Rukare and Ms. Muhoza both extended congratulations to the winners, with a call to all participants to continue embracing the spirit of Olympism.The Olympic Values Contests remain a flagship initiative by the UOC to instill Olympic ideals in Uganda’s youth, blending education, sport, and character development.