Arusha now hosting the 2026 East Africa Peace Debate Championships

Arusha is hosting the 2026 installment of the Secretariat of the East Africa Peace Debate Championships.

The new development now shifts the regional debating venue from the Kigali City of Rwanda to the Northern Tanzanian City of Arusha.

The East African debating tournament takes place in Northern Tanzania this August 2026.

“Our commitment remains to deliver a world-class championship that upholds the values of peace, dialogue, and regional cooperation,” reads a statement from the Secretariat of the East Africa Peace Debate Championship (EAPDC).

According to the EAPDC organizers, relocating to the Arusha venue provides the optimal environment to meet these objectives while allowing teams ample preparation time.

Following extensive consultations with partners and logistical teams, the shift addresses critical factors including accommodation capacity where Arusha was found to be amply catered in this segment.

Other factors include accessibility, where the Tanzanian Northern City qualifies because it is not only central but also serves as the Headquarters and meeting point for the East African Community and related regional organs.

The Arusha Campus for the United World Colleges (UWC), located along Dodoma Road is expected to host the regional debating event.

The venue was also found to be suitable and happens to align well with the 2026 regional debating program’s broader goals.

This year’s theme, “Building Bridges Through Dialogue and Understanding,” resonates strongly in a region where young people are increasingly called upon to champion peace, unity, and coexistence.

Organizers assure that so far, the championship’s structure, judging standards, and institutional participation remain unchanged, with stakeholders urged to continue preparations as travel advisories, accommodation guidelines, and registration updates are released progressively.

The Secretariat is on the other hand extending deep gratitude to patrons, partners, and the region’s debate community for their steadfast commitment to advancing peacebuilding through dialogue.

While the event is being attended by almost all East African countries, it is only Kenya which has revealed the number of participants who will be travelling to Arusha for the debate.

A total of 350 outstanding students from 45 senior schools across Kenya are set to travel to Tanzania and carry the country’s hopes to the 2026 East Africa Amani Club Peace Debate Championship in Arusha.

The Kenyan delegation is expected to begin travelling from various counties on August 8, 2026, converging at Noonkopir Girls High School in Kitengela before departing together for Arusha the following day​, that is the 9th of August.