On the 29th of June 2024, over 400 young people from 7 secondary school heritage clubs in Nakasongola District participated in a competition which focused on traditional music, dance, Buruuli Anthem, museum pieces.
Schools that participated included; Nakasongola Muslim School, St. Joseph Vocational School, Nabiswera Progressive SS, Kisalizi Secondary School, Nakasongola Modern Secondary School, Kisenyi Lake View Secondary School, and Kalongo Seed Secondary School. Each school was represented by over 50 young people and two teachers.
The competition held at Boma Grounds was organised by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU)in partnership with Obukama Bwa Buruuli as part of Heritage Education Programme activities. It was also attended by representatives of Nakasongola district local government, Obukama Bwa Buruuli and parents.
It was aimed at fostering cross-learning and experience-sharing amongst young people in terms of their role in heritage safeguarding and promotion.
Ms. Kisa Kasifa, the Heritage Programme Officer at CCFU noted that the Foundation has organised a national drawing competition for the past 12 years but it is not inclusive because young people who are not artistically talented are left out.
“Our national drawing competition is not all that inclusive. We decided to organise such competitions to give the same chance to young people who are promoting other aspects of our heritage such as folk songs, dances, and endangered heritage through drama.”
Ms. Kisa added that the competition is an opportunity to share information on the role of culture in addressing different contemporary development challenges including the promotion of peace, unity and social cohesion.
In this regard, one of the four components of the competition was a debate with theme – “A community with one culture is better than one with one culture” to give young people an opportunity to understand the importance of co-existence, Nakasongola being a cosmopolitan area.
Rt. Hon. Kasirye Samuel MG noted that the theme of the debate was timely. He added that “it is important to teach young people the importance of harmonious living in a place with so many cultures because we need each other for development to take place.”
Awarding Winners
Nakasongola Secondary School emerged as the winners of the competition receiving a grand prize of Ugx 500,000 and a trophy. Nabiswera Progressive Secondary School was the first runner-up and Nakasongola Muslim Secondary School the second, receiving Ugx 300,000 and 200,000 respectively.
The president of the heritage club of Nakasongola Secondary School noted that they are excited to win the competition, adding that it will “support them to purchase items such as music instruments that the club lacks.”
CCFU hopes that the cash prizes will be utilised to address the needs of the heritage clubs as envisioned.
The event was officiated by Mr. Andrew Ssebagala, the Production Manager from the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) who appreciated CCFU and Obukama Bwa Buruuli for supporting heritage education amongst young people.
On behalf of the Centre, he pledged to work with Obukama Bwa Buruuli to provide a national stage for the schools to showcase their talent.