By Uganda’s Ian Karlton Muyimba has etched his name into history after becoming the first Ugandan and the first African to finish on the podium at the prestigious English Speaking Union (ESU) International Public Speaking Competition in London, United Kingdom.
The 18 year old King’s College Budo student secured the bronze medal after placing third in the Grand Final held at the Royal Institution in London on July 17, 2026.
His remarkable performance saw him emerge as the third best public speaker in the world from a field of national champions representing 45 countries and regions. More than 100,000 young people had participated in preliminary competitions before the finalists were selected.
Muyimba’s achievement marks a historic milestone, making him the first Ugandan in the competition’s 52 year history to reach the Grand Final and the first African ever to win a medal at the championship. As the youngest finalist, he impressed judges with his confidence, eloquence and compelling delivery.
Speaking after his return to Uganda, Muyimba described the experience as a dream come true.
“I was blessed to reach the finals representing my country Uganda and my continent Africa. In the finals, I won the medal for third place and was recognised as the third best public speaker in the world,” he said.
The competition was won by Omar Hazari of Sri Lanka, while Romania’s Theodora Todoran finished second. The other finalists represented Australia, Bermuda and Serbia.
Contestants delivered speeches inspired by the theme “Lighting One Candle,” drawn from a haiku by Japanese poet Yosa Buson. Finalists were evaluated on originality, critical thinking, public speaking ability and delivery by an international panel of judges.
In celebrating the achievement, King’s College Budo described Muyimba’s success as a defining moment for Uganda and the African continent, saying his accomplishment demonstrates that young Ugandans can compete with the very best on the global stage.
The English Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition is regarded as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious public speaking contests, promoting communication, cultural exchange and international understanding among young people worldwide.
