Story by Char Ruot Banang a South Sudanese Refugee in Uganda
From Refugee Camps to National Debate Stages: How I Found My Voice
When conflict forced my family to flee South Sudan, we sought refuge in Uganda and settled in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement. Life there was a mix of shelter and struggle. Education was uncertain, resources were limited, and the future often felt like an unanswered question.
But one thing carried me through words.
At first, words were survival tools: ways to share stories, ask for help, and keep hope alive. Over time, I discovered their deeper power. Words could challenge injustice, inspire change, and build bridges. That discovery led me to debate.
The Power of Debate
My first steps in debate were small, but their impact was life-changing. Standing on a stage, I realized that my background was not a weakness it was my strength. I wasn’t simply debating motions; I was speaking from lived experience.
Debate helped me transform struggles into ideas and doubts into confidence. From inter-class debates at Rhino Camp High School to representing Bishop Angelo Tarantino Memorial Secondary School at the National Speech & Debate Championship 2024, the journey has been remarkable.
I was honored to be named Best Male Debater in the West Nile Region by Green Schools Initiatives a recognition that reminded me how far I had come. For a boy who once questioned whether education was even possible in a refugee camp, standing proudly on national platforms was proof that resilience wins.
From Student to Leader
Debate opened doors to leadership. At Rhino Camp High School, I served as Games & Sports Prefect. Later, at Bishop Angelo Tarantino Memorial Secondary School, I stepped into greater roles:
• President and later Chairperson – South Sudanese United Students Association (SSUSA)
• General Secretary – Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) Branch
• Organising Secretary – Bishop Angelo Tarantino Memorial Secondary School Literary Club
These roles were never about titles—they were about service. I learned how student leadership can uplift others, create safe spaces for youth voices, and ignite meaningful conversations.
Expanding Beyond the Camp
My journey didn’t stop at school. In 2025, I became a certified debate judge with Debate Institute Africa, adjudicating at major platforms including the National Debate League, National Debate Championship, National Speech & Debate Championship (NSDC25), Dialogue Initiative Uganda competitions, Ikhala Schools (South Africa), and the Oratorical Arena 2.0 tournament.
I also expanded globally joining the 11th International Youth Conference (Los Angeles, virtually), earning certifications in digital literacy and leadership with Cisco Networking Academy, BrighterMonday, and HP LIFE, and participating in Sustainable Development Goals workshops with the Rotaract Club of Bahauddin Zakariya University.
These experiences confirmed something powerful: even from the margins, refugees can shape global conversations.
Lessons Learned
This journey has taught me three truths:
1. Circumstances don’t define us our choices do.
Refugee life didn’t stop me from pursuing education and leadership.
2. Education is resistance.
Every class attended and every debate spoken was an act of defiance against hopelessness.
3. Youth voices matter.
From refugee camps to global conferences, I’ve seen how young people are reshaping the fight against corruption, climate change, and inequality.
A Call to Action
If words could carry me from refugee camps to national debate stages, then words can carry us into a future where youth no matter their background shape the destiny of nations.
To every young person reading this: find your voice, sharpen it, and use it. The world needs you
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